Dominion in Diapers
By Contributing Writer, Kimberly@Raising Olives
Four small children romp around me as I will my pregnant self to do the next thing.
Two diaper changes.
Four little ones dressed for the day.
Breakfast for six.
Wipe four small faces and eight small hands.
Wash dishes.
Stop to nurse the baby and change two more diapers.
Back to the dishes.
I hear crying so stop to help teach the littles to settle their dispute biblically.
Pray with two small sinners.
Head back to those dirty dishes.
And so goes the day.
At 5:30, Mark asks about our day and I don’t know how to answer.
I was busy, so busy that there was hardly a chance to think, so busy that I struggle to make it through more diaper changes, dinner and family worship. So tired I don’t want to think about tomorrow.
But what did we do?
We did not accomplish a single thing that won’t have to be done tomorrow.
I’m supposed to be a servant of the most high. I’m supposed to be telling nations about the wonderful name of Jesus. The world around me is longing for a Savior and I’m changing diapers and washing faces.
All the other moms are doing something. I hear them talking about it at church. Not me, I’m stuck in survival mode.
But there is honor in service.
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
and there is dominion in diapers.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Oh sister in Christ, I now have a different perspective.
Those four little ones are now 15, 14, 13 and almost 12.
Amber (15), Matthew (13), Carter (10), Savannah (6), Nick (4), Isabella (1), Colby (5), Sadie (8), Alyssa (11), Kaitlin (14)
I still will my pregnant self to do the next thing. I still get up to change diapers and wash dishes, but as I work, our 15 year old spends the day helping a mother with four young ones. That momma of littles gets a nap because of my effort years ago.
Our 14 year old spends a day making food for a mother with a newborn and a houseful of children. That family eats dinner because of my effort years ago.
Our 13 year old mows the yard for our neighbor in order to demonstrate Jesus. That neighbor sees Christ because of my effort years ago.
Our almost 12 year old reads stories and works crafts with her younger siblings. Those littles see self-sacrificing love because of my effort years ago.
I still can’t see the whole picture. I don’t know what Christ has in store for these eleven children He’s entrusted to my care. I don’t know what the impact of their lives might be. But I see more than I did and I wish to share the vision with you. For truly,
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
BEAUTIFUL, Kimberly. My first three were born in less than five years. Truly it was much harder work with the three of them (although I loved it) than it is now with eight children because of the time and effort invested in the early years. They are growing in wisdom and are now able to serve in our home and serve others as well. Arrows getting sharper by the day, by the grace of God!
Kimberly ~
Such an encouraging post…thank you for looking back to walk us to the present with hope for the future. We have children from 8 months to 22 years…8, so far. The days of mothering are hard, but oh the joy to reap what has been sown when the work is diligent in the early years. At 40, I now have 4 that are 6 and under, and the days can still be hairy…HOWEVER, I am blessed to have older children who help, minister, serve and in doing so, bear the light of Christ to those around them.
Blessings with this newest little one on the way…continue to press on toward the upward call of Christ Jesus!
That’s a very encouraging blog post. I don’t have children yet but I always wondered how tired moms cope with a house full of littles.
That was a wonderful bit of encouragement!! Thank you!
Love Love LOVE this! Thank you for the needed enouragement today
And how blessed you are to have ELEVEN beautiful children to raise up for the glory of God!!! It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with the “talents” entrusted to you.
all i can say is i have pray for friends like you and your family for a long time , someone that cut not only be willing to help , but to teach .i have live in a place were we have the most children and are not very good financially-so we don’t fit in . but as i red you post today you confirm what God has being showing us . he is making us to be that family and he will bring the ones that need us .after 8 children , 6 living and 2 in heaven and waiting to see if God has more for us ,i find my self so exited to be in this journey
Thank you for the vision! I have 2 little ones and another on the way, and I can so relate to the feeling of being busy and accomplishing that won’t have to be done the next day! I need to remember that this too shall pass, and someday my older children will be my helpers and lift burdens that I bear alone now.
Many times mothers would tell me things would get easier as the kids grew older. While this is true, I found myself wishing away the little years. I currently have 5 under 7, which has it’s challenges, but I am doing my best to enjoy the time with them now before they are all grown up! It’s easy to get bogged down in daily life and forget to enjoy the curious questions and endless messes.
I needed this post!! I have two little ones 4, 2 and am about 6 weeks away from having my third little one (all boys!). There are days where I feel very overwhelmed with everything that comes with raising littles. Thank you for reminding me that what I do I need to do as unto the Lord and not give up!
Thank you SO much for this post. I am the mother of 4 young ones now, who needs this reminder of the impact my service will have later. I’m a RO reader, and always appreciate the way your writing encourages and convicts me.
Thank so much for this post! I have four children who are 4, 3, 2, and 11 months, and I feel terribly overwhelmed and tired a lot of the time. This was very encouraging, and also convicting to remember to keep being intentional with these babies the Lord has blessed me with.
Kimberly, This post has me crying right now. I have 6 children 8 years old and under. Every day seems harder than the one before. This week we’ve had an 3 month old infant dealing with RSV and needing breathing treatments. An 8 year old with a severe asthma attack passing out from lack of oxygen due to his asthma we didn’t know he had, a 5 year with juvenile arthritis that has been struggling with a lot of pain this week, I myself have had 2 migraines that put me to bed (which is a weekly thing) and lots of poopy diapers, dishes, laundry….. I wanted to just give up all week. I question Gods plan continually. Thank you for persevering and encouraging other burned out mommies. Thanks for being an encouragement to remember why we do what we do. Thanks for reminding me that God has an eternal purpose for each and every moment of my day. And thanks for reminding me that I am a servant which is a beautiful, wonderful thing.
Janette, was just perusing my email this morning with my cup of coffee. Usually I don’t read every comment that people make to a post, but Kimberly’s post moved me this morning. I have 2 sets of twins (9 and 4) and we homeschool as well. I run an in-home daycare also. So I “feel” overwhelmed & busy. But then I read your response and knew that God led me to read all these comments. That most days I’ve got it pretty good. That this morning I was supposed to be reading your response. I’m praying for you. I’m praying the Lord catches those tears you are letting go, and lifts you up. If I could stand in front of you I’d give you the biggest hug and take over that mountain of laundry that certainly piles up amidst all that “life happening”. You will be on my heart today! I pray life eases up a bit at a time so that you indeed can see the servant inside you. It’s so hard sometimes! Hugs.
Tiffany,
Thanks for your response to my comment. I’ve never actually commented before but like you I was moved by Kimberly’s post and my heart just overflowed.
I can’t imagine having twins! God has given us our blessings in singles and for us that’s been a good thing!
I’d gladly take that hug and the help with laundry if you were here!
I could use both. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.
Thank you for this post, Kimberley. I am a mom of 4 littles under 5 and this post is very encouraging because I often feel like I’m not seeing the reward for my labours (well little rewards, here ‘n there
. Thanks for showing us that if you persist in doing ‘well’, your reward will come, and ultimately glory to God! Praise Him.
Thank you! I came across this post today as I was discouraged while struggling with morning sickness. I am 18 weeks along with baby # 6. It was a great reminder that even on those days when things seem to pile up and the extra things don’t get done( or the essential things) , as long as I am doing my best for my heavenly father, that is all I can do. He will strengthen me and make up the difference. Thank you again for your insights.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. My children are are on the younger side at this time and this really helps see that what I am doing today will bless many others in time.