Back-to-work mom

Perhaps this is every working mother’s struggle.

After more than 3 months and several days of being a hands-on mom, I’ll be away from my kids. I knew this time would come. I just couldn’t find the time to be ready. 

I also know that I’m not alone. All mothers have their own mom-child separation stories. Here’s mine: the day before my reporting, I was still haggardly doing my home routines—breastfeeding a 3-month-old baby while giving a toddler some activities, and taking care of the house. It was as if no going back to work would happen the next day. It was unthinkable how I’d spend my day considering my fatigue. 

Every working mom can attest that when work knocks and we have no choice but to let it in, it always comes with its twin, busyness. Staying in the workplace can go beyond office hours. Thus, the battle between being a responsible employee and being a responsible parent.

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I’m at this stage where I find it difficult to claim.

Rejoice? Be glad? I can’t spend time with my kids the way I used to. How will I rejoice?

I had a few hours left before finally facing reality. How did I deal with that? What helped me?

Nothing. Yes, nothing. Think of nothing. Work nothing. Speak nothing. 

Simply be still. Believe me, it helped. Break is essential.

1. Thinking can be tiring. Praying is invigorating.

Why think of things that you cannot do something about when you can pray to God, who can handle all the what-ifs and doubts? God never leaves my children even when I’m physically away from them. He continues to guard them, protect them and keep them safe at all times. Those are things that I cannot certainly give them even if I stay beside them all day. I am not as powerful as God. I cannot protect them from the virus that I cannot see. I cannot watch them overnight. But God never sleeps and He can surely cover them with love and security. Instead of just thinking, shift to praying.

2. Working may fill my day with stress. Reading God’s Word empties me of distress.

Too many things to do in a very limited time. Impossible, right? Therefore, I should not fail to seek the wisdom and wit of the Supreme One. He is the only one who can help me clear my mind and set my day. With faith in God’s promises comes the assurance that He can help me. It should then bring me peace. What is that one thing that God cannot provide? Is there an area in my life where God cannot help me? His presence, His company, His help. He himself is more than enough to keep our faith going! Therefore, a happy countenance should be waving! I am not capable of everything. God is. 

3. Verbalizing complaints negatively affect people. Verbalizing praises uplift other people.

Verbalizing how I feel is helpful. But if it’s in the form of a complaint, it is harmful. There is power in the tongue. What I declare appears true to who surrounds us. I don’t only waste my energy when I complain. I also weaken others. I should make use of my tongue the other way around. Declare praises! Declare blessings! Declare God’s sovereignty. Choose to speak life. I can handle both roles of being a mom and worker well. I can because God can, through me.

With all these, indeed each day with God is worth rejoicing!

Now I can claim it!

See you later, time to work now!