My mom got married when she was 26 so I promised myself that I would be married by the time I was 26. Well I’m now 28 (as of today!) and am not only married but have 3 kids to boot! I’d say I met and exceeded that goal.
I was watching a silly dating show yesterday while putting the baby to sleep and most of the ‘contestents’ (?) were between 27-30ish. They all had these amazing careers and if you looked at their credentials it looked like they had all accomplished very high levels of success. But here they were, single and lonely and wanting companionship. They had it all except for someone to share it with and someone to have a family with.
If someone looked at me on paper, they probably wouldn’t be tremendously impressed. I attended high school for 3 years in one city but graduated in a different one with little grandeur (since I started all over my senior year at a different school), and then attended some college but left that to get married and have babies instead. I can hear all the nazi feminists crying out in pain but don’t worry I’ve never once regretted that choice. I’ve had jobs since then but nothing consistent since I’ve only ‘worked’ in between having babies. I’ve been an NFP teacher, a personal skin care and nutrition consultant (yeah one of those things), a district coordinator consultant for a local non-prof abstinence education program, and oh back before the wedding during college I did data entry which was a blast.
From time to time I miss having a little desk to sit at and answer phone calls or file papers but when it comes to my own desk and mail to sort through I usually pretend not to notice for as long as possible. I’ve recently obviously become rather obsessed interested in writing and have really enjoyed this blogging outlet and am excited as I start dabbling in other writing projects and assignments here and there. It is fun to see how God has led me and guided me. I’m curious to see where He’s going with all this.
I was putting the kids to bed last night and thinking about what I have to show for my 28 years as I looked at their sweet sleepy faces. Out of all my ‘accomplishments’ this – my children, my motherhood, my vocation as a mother & wife to my loving husband – this is it. This is the most important work I ever have or ever will do.
It’s hard and causes me alot of stress sometimes many times, most of the time, but really it is the most important work. My husband and my children have made me who I am. I take it for granted – being married and being a mom already- and it’s sometimes shows like the one I watched that remind me of how blessed I’ve really been. Sometimes I get all crazy and wonder what it would be like if I were not married or had no kids. My life would be so different. I’d probably have travelled to all sorts of interesting and fun and beautiful places by now and I’d probably be some top executive somewhere. My mind & definitely my body would be in better ‘shape’. (I feel like a 28 year old in a 34.6 year old woman’s body.) I might have been content with this. But I wouldn’t have been happy.
My children and my husband and the good friends and family God has blessed me with make up the bridge in my life that I use to cross over myself to God to true joy and happiness. They’ve made my life meaningful. Sure I’ve lost a few brain cells and elasticity in my skin (namely in the tummy area) but I’ve also gained a wealth of real treasures. I’ve experienced more real joys and real accomplishments than I would have without having chosen to follow God’s Will and His plans for me and my husband and our family.
In Frost’s words, “I took the road less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”
