Choices

Last week I got a lunch invitation via text from a friend.  We've talked a few times, but it's rare that she asks me to go to lunch with her.  While we were eating she said, "Well, I'm sure you've figured out that I didn't just randomly ask you to lunch today."  It turns out, she wanted to offer me a job working in her office.  And she made it sound pretty enticing.  Only 20-30 very flexible hours per week.  I would have school holidays off and of course any time my kids were sick or had special programs, I would be available for them.  Oh, and then there was the MONEY.  As soon as she tossed out an hourly rate, my head started spinning with all the doors a little more income would open for us...  

We could buy a third car for our third driver...  We could paint the living room and dining room that are desperately in need of updating...  We could go on a cruise for Christmas...(ok we probably wouldn't do that even with a LOT more money)  We could BUY Spell Girl's bass instead of renting it year after year...  We could start savings accounts for three additional missions we hadn't planned on until a month ago...    

There are so many things I could do with that extra money each month.  And 20 hours a week!...the people in my house would barely notice I was gone.  

I listened intently for the entire hour that we spent having lunch.  And I considered all the lucrative offers she proposed.  But as I drove home from that lunch I came to my senses and realized that a job (even a part time one) doesn't really have a place in my life right now.  

I made a list of all the things I would have missed if I had been working today.

1.   A leisurely green smoothie for breakfast.
2.   Prepping stuff for lunches for the rest of the week.
3.   Sitting at my desk with the sun pouring in through the windows.
4.   Writing in my journal.
5.   A desperately needed parent teacher conference.
6.   Sneaking into the cafeteria to hear the 4th grade Texas Celebration rehearsal.

7.   A quick hug from Mack before I left.
8.   Catching up with a friend.
9.   Ironing scout patches onto Mack's Cub Scout shirt.
10.  ...and this conversation as Mack and his friends came home from school...

C1:  "You know what would be SOOO cool you guys?  If they could put cushions on the sidewalks and we could just ROLL to school!!"
M:  "No, you know what would be even better??  If they just made the whole sidewalk into a slip and slide and then we could just slide to school!"
C2:  "No, that wouldn't be good cuz then we'd be all wet by the time we got there."
C1:  "oh yeah...  Well then they should do the cushions during school and the slip and slide in the summer!" 

(I'm not exactly sure who "THEY" are, but apparently we need to find out and give THEM some suggestions)

Those things made me smile today.  I'm glad I didn't miss them.  

For years I thought that doing laundry, planning meals and tidying a house were such mundane, unnecessary tasks.  I felt like my talents and my education were being under-utilized and I was wasting away in a house full of tiny people who not only didn't appreciate what I did, but on a regular basis tried to undermine all of my efforts.   I spent hours and hours every day changing diapers, chasing toddlers, folding clothes, and cleaning up messes only to fall into bed at night exhausted and unfulfilled.  

Now, as I watch my kids growing up and being exposed to so much temptation, filth and distraction throughout their days, I'm so grateful to have them be my full time job.  I'm grateful that I have the time to focus my efforts on making this home a safe, happy, spirit-filled environment where they can come to refuel for the next battle.  This is not a job that just anyone can do.  It has to be me.  This is my calling and there is no amount of money, no title, no outside reward greater than the one I have now after a busy, productive day of being a mom.  Instead of falling into bed, I drop to my knees and pour out my gratitude for the opportunity I have to be in this family with these people.  I love them and would choose them over a cruise any day!