What is this alone time you speak of?

My days are long, and generally start out early, with running shoes and a head lamp on.  It is my time of prayer, fresh air and solace. I cherish every second of it.

{side note: My husband refers to this as my self-medication.  He says everyones day starts better when Mommy runs, I wonder what he means by that? :)  }

Some days, I wish the sun would stay down just a bit longer so that I can keep running.  Some days, I return from my run and just stand in the driveway watching the sun turn the sky pink and orange and listen for the chickens to start talking, asking me to open their door.  Praise be to God for this gorgeous place I call home.


Back to reality, which means I eventually have to walk back in the house.  I am quite certain that door is a portal into another universe.  As in all family households, our mornings are full-tilt-boogie, semi-stressful and usually containing some drama from our oldest daughter and a lost belt or shoe somewhere. Yet, somehow they all get out the door (husband included), dressed, in one piece and with a lunch.  95% of the time they will even have everything they need!

 Whew, I am a total success so far and it is only 8 am.  In fact as I read somewhere, "given a tiara and cape, I am quite positive I could rule the world!"  Damn straight, throw some cute shoes in the mix and I am on my way to the parenting Hall of Fame!!  Ok, ok, get back on track here.  Kids and husband are gone and chores get done and some time during the day I always look forward to my daily devotional that I receive, via email, from my FCA team.  I hate to admit it, but some days it gives me that little bit of scripture time that I did not allow for myself.  I have got to get better at that!  A few days ago, the scripture piece was Mark 1:35-37 which reads:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,

He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place.

And He was praying there.

Simon and his companions went searching for Him.

They found Him and said,

"Everyone's looking for You!"

Wait, you mean Jesus was a Mom???  Do you think the disciples followed him to the bathroom too?

It is amazing isn't it?  You try so hard to get time to yourself, only to have someone track you down and ask for you to come fix it, heal it, cook it, clean it, bandage it, feel it, see it, correct it, and the list goes on.  Moms, I know you can understand this, some days, I find myself taking a deep breath, looking towards the sky and thinking that I am not sure I like the sound of my own name...well, at least not the "Moooooooooommmmmm!" name.  Now that our children are not constantly following me around I find I can at least go to the bathroom by myself. WAIT, nope, there is our dog, following me, and trying to put his head in my lap while I pee.  Now I understand why my mother-in-law used to lock herself in the bathroom.  The key word there being LOCK!  We should get those at our house. Hmmmm? 

Now, I realize that if you add the later part of this verse then it can be interpreted differently than how I did, but I am quite convinced that this verse was written so that I (or any mom out there) would not feel alone!  

Seriously, I keep this in my email so as to remind me that I am not the only one who is constantly being tracked down.  Equally as important, it tells me that if Jesus could get up while it is still dark and take His "alone time" then so can I!  

However, as much as it drives us crazy, it doesn't take a genius to realize that our job as parent and the fixer-of-all-things is precious and valuable.  People searched far and wide for Jesus, they tracked Him down to listen to His words and learn from His knowledge.  We strive to live more like Him and to walk in His glory.  I strive to live more like Him and walk in His glory.  If my kids are doing the same thing to me, then I am honored.  This means they choose me instead of some other idol, they choose me instead of violence, they choose me instead of feeling alone, they choose me just as God chose me to be their mother.  And really, if they are following me, then I pray that I am leading them honorably, creating disciples and showing them what it means to follow Him.  

Plus, I am pretty sure we have had some great talks in the bathroom.  No shame here.