Learning to Take a Break

As a young mom, it was very hard for me to take time for myself and be away from my children even for a little while. I didn't want to go to the grocery store or even get my hair cut without the children. When I did have to be away from them I always felt anxious and uncomfortable. I would rush back home with wild ideas of what could have gone wrong. Everything was always fine.

I wish I could tell you why I had such a problem with leaving them in the care of others. Maybe it was because I didn't really think other people - even other parents - really knew how to take care of my children. Or maybe it was because I thought my children would be scared and miss me. Maybe it was because as a child I didn't like to be left. Maybe it was a combination of these things.

What I do know is that I learned from some older moms that I trusted and from the wise words of my husband that getting away and doing something for me would be good for my whole household. So I made myself try. I resumed the grocery shopping, which was a relief to my husband and I started doing things for myself such as going to the thrift store and looking at tea cups. Money was not too plentiful back then so I was picking things that didn't cost too much. I didn't stay away too long at a time in the beginning, but I made myself go and try to do something enjoyable.

After a while of doing these things I began to get involved in Evening Bible Study classes at church and really enjoyed all I was learning. The Lord used this time to reassure me that He could take care of my kids though other people. Over the years I have become very involved in ministry and now even travel for conferences and missions work. I would never have been able to do that if I would have stayed at home with my babies 24/7.

It is still not always easy to be away from them and I am not advocating women leaving their children for long periods of time without cause. What I am saying is that my life has been far enhanced by my involvements outside of parenting. My children are getting older, but I thank God daily for all I have been able to teach them through the journey he has placed me on in ministry.