Busy Mom's

 

Prayer of a Stretched-Out Woman by Alice Cravens Moore.

 

“Lord, I’ve done it again. I have too much to do and too little time. Not only that, Lord, even if I had the time, I wouldn’t have the energy.

Why am I always the one to do everything? Lord, why am I a chronic volunteer? Why couldn’t you have made me fragile-looking and shy? That way no one would ever ask me to do anything or even allow me to whenever I open my big mouth to commit myself.

Why can’t I learn to say, “No” - just once? Lord, I don’t want to say, “Sure,” when they ask me to serve on that committee. That “Sure” just slipped out. When they said, “Can we depend on you to prepare six dozen sandwiches?” Lord, why didn’t I smack my mouth when I said, “No problem!”?

I wish I could scream, “Not in a thousand years,” instead of, “When do you need it?” or “That shouldn’t take much time.”

Lord, enough dust is under my bed and behind the refrigerator to fill the low spot in my back yard, and here I am cutting out 350 bulletin board letters. Lord, I’m tired of being everything to everybody and nothing to myself. There isn’t enough of me to go around anymore.

I’m so worn out, Lord. I’m always on the run, and I’m so cranky that my kids have decided the Wicked Witch of the West is not dead after all.

My husband says I bring it all on myself. No sympathy there. It doesn’t help to know he’s right.

Lord, did Deborah have this problem? Surely Ester had a maid. What queen doesn’t?

Of course, I know the real problem, Lord. I need to understand what is truly important and then push the excess away right out of my life.

Helping my children with Bible school lessons is more worthwhile than deciding which decorations to use for the class party. Preparing my husband’s favorite meal is of more consequence than meeting with some committee for the umpteenth time.

Lord, help me realize that the world won’t end if the beds aren’t made or the floor isn’t mopped. In my heart, I truly know that making snow angels with my children is of more value than planning another congregational “42” party. Playing with the children is more important even than nagging them to clean their rooms.

When Mary followed her Son and stood there as He suffered on the cross, I don’t imagine she thought of all the other places she needed to be or the things she needed to do.

Perspective, Lord, that’s what I need. Help me find it. Teach me to spend my time on the things that matter. Guide me, Lord!

Lord, I’m so glad we had this talk. Now don’t let me forget what was said… Amen.”

 

[Genesis 3:20] “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” Imagine with me some of the possible statements of famous people's mothers to their children – Columbus’ Mother: “I don’t care what you’ve discovered Chris. You still could have written.” Batman’s Mother: “It’s a nice car, Bruce, but do you realize how much the insurance is going to be?” Super Mans Mother: “Clark, your father and I have discussed it, and we’ve decided you can have your own phone line. Now, will you stop spending so much time in all those phone booths?” I remember the one statement my mother said, “Someday you’re going to miss me.” Once their gone, we all miss our mom.