It isn't always easy to "sit still". I like to keep my hands busy. I don't like to sit and do nothing, unless I am very tired. I like to be busy in general, doing things around the house, with the kids, outside, etc. Not so busy that I tear my hair out trying to race and get things done, but busy enough to keep me out of trouble. ;)
It is habitual for me to have the day basically planned out, and to tackle one thing after another. I'm not opposed to downtime, don't get me wrong. But the majority of the day is spoken for.
Since Isaac has been born I have been learning the art of taking it easy. A slower pace is emerging and taking hold, and to tell the truth, though it is better for us right now, it is hard to get used to!
The rule of thumb for post partum recovery is to allow yourself one week per birth you have had before you can expect to start working up to your normal pace. I know in this day and age and our society, that is poo-poo'd. After all, we are women. Aren't we supposed to do it all? No matter what? and goodness, if we take a break, then everyone wonders what is wrong with us. Are we sick? Upset? Backslidden? No, just realizing that I don't have to be SuperBaptistHomeschoolingPreacherwifeandMom 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is okay to take a breath. It is okay to take a step back from the hurry and scurry of my schedule and enjoy.. yes, that's right ENJOY some hard earned, slower pace, recover time from growing a baby and birthing it. That's the other thing, according to today's society, if we DO actually take a break, then we are certainly not to enjoy it. We should feel guilty, and restless, and push to work our routines anyway. Right?
I totally disagree. As mother's our time is packed. Whether you have one child or more. Not everyone is in the same stage of child rearing. The years we had littles that were totally dependent on us, and no older children to help out were extremely busy and taxing. Now we have some olders to help with the youngers. You know what I have discovered? It is still extremely busy and taxing.. but in a different way.
It is good for Mama to slow down, and good for the children too. If I have to take it easy, then I might as well enjoy it. I have at least 8 weeks of recovery time, half of which are over. At first I admit I felt I couldn't take this time. There are still times now when I feel like I should be doing more, pushing myself to get more done. After all, I did it all myself when we had all littles, didn't I? What is wrong with me now? Have I gotten lazy?
I don't think so, truly. Circumstances are different now. I have olders to help out, so I don't have to do it all myself. And there is nothing wrong with delegation. Part of being a parent is training children to be able to take care of themselves, and Lord willing, a family some day. Also, I have noticed that even if they aren't particularly fond of a few extra chores to do, there is a certain sense of pride and satisfaction in knowing they are helping Mama and the rest of the family. I do try to praise them for the good work they do, and try to surreptitiously brag on them publicly when they are within hearing distance.
Oh, and Dale says, so sweetly "Not to mention you aren't getting any younger." Pfffft.
At this point, we aren't looking to remodel the house or start any major cleaning projects. There is a time and a season for those things. Right now we are just doing the basics of cleaning, cooking, and homeschooling. My main priority is taking care of Isaac right now. As time goes on he will be less and less dependent on me, more content and less fussy. For now I will try and remember to enjoy the days (and sometimes nights) when he needs me to hold him, or rock him or change his diaper, or nurse him. He will only be like this for a little time. The "newborn" stage doesn't last forever.
Along the lines of sitting still, I read this devotional in the Days of Praise the other day, and it struck home. It was written by Henry M. Morris, PH.D.
"Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day." (Ruth 3:18)
This was the instruction given to Ruth by Naomi in hopes that her kinsman, Boaz, would be willing to perform his family duty and marry Ruth, whose Jewish husband had died in Moab. Ruth's behavior had been honorable, and she had done what she could to let Boaz know she was willing to be his wife, but now she could do nothing except to sit still and wait.
This lesson needs to be remembered by Christians today. All too often we rush ahead of the Lord, fearful that things won't work out unless we take matters into our own hands. When the Jews were being invaded by the Assyrian armies and felt the needed and alliance with Pharaoh, God warned: "The Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still... In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:7-15).
Long before, when the children of Israel were in even more desperate circumstances, with the Egyptian armies pursuing them and the Red Sea in front of them, Moses had said: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13). Soon, the chariots of Pharaoh were at the bottom of the sea, just as, in due time, Boaz did marry Ruth, and as 600 years later, the hosts of the Assyrians were slain by the angel of the Lord (Isaiah 37:36).
There is, certainly, a time to work - and work hard - in the service of the Lord. There are spiritual battles to be fought and races to be run. But when we have done the best we know how, according to the Scriptures, and still don't see the answer, there comes a time when we must simply sit still, and wait for the Lord. He would have us "be still, and know that (He is ) God" (Psalm46:10).
