A Woman's High Calling

I love this bird and owl by moloco! I'd like them to fly to my house ...

Disclaimer: The views expressed in tonight's blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of the blogger all the time. The blogger (and the blog) are a work in progress.

Over the weekend, I was encouraged to read a blog post from someone in Blog Land whom I have never met. The title of her post: Motherhood Is Not My Highest Calling.

Upon hearing the title, I forged ahead prepared to disagree adamantly. I consider my newly-minted role of mother (33 days old and counting) to be of great significance in my life.

But then I read the post.

The blogger, a mother of 5, made some valid points. She doesn't like the highest/lowest value statement expressed in "highest calling," for instance. How does one calling have more validity than another? Who determines which responsibilities are more important than the rest? --I'll be thinking about those questions for a while.

I didn't agree with everything she said. (No worries. I don't agree with everything I have said when I think about it later.) But after reading her post, I have spent considerable time pondering the "highest calling" concept. Here is what I believe:

Whatever role I have been given--whatever task I am expected to complete--is my current "highest calling." One danger in assuming that motherhood is "the highest calling" is found in the alienation of everyone who is not a mother.

Women who aren't currently married or aren't currently mothers are no less significant than those who are gifted with children. To those who are single or childless, theirs isn't a less significant "calling."

I have so many thoughts on this topic, but the one that surfaces the loudest is this:

I believe my highest calling is obedience ... whatever that entails.

U.S. Route 23 and Other Blessings

I could really use this fantastic retro avocado green suitcase from TheFancyLamb tonight! Check it out!

The sign in the entryway of my home reads, "An attitude of gratitude creates blessings." It's one of my favorite things--and a great reminder as soon as I enter my house that my attitude makes a big difference.

Tonight I am thankful for safety.

Though "safety" isn't quite as shiny as a new kitchen gadget, nor is it as cool as a new iPhone app, it's my favorite thing.

Tonight I was driving "quickly" on U.S. Route 23--trying to get home in time to see my husband before putting my child to bed--when the van I was driving quick working. As in, right in the middle of the road it stopped.

Dead.

I couldn't even coast off onto the non-existent shoulder. I was stuck--half on the road, half off the road--with cars and trucks rushing past. With each vehicle that approached my van, I prayed that the driver was paying attention. (And I made a few mental notes about my own occasional distracted driving.)

I'll put it right out there: I was scared.

Three officers, an hour, and a tow truck later, we were on our way. And I couldn't be more thankful that my son and I were safe. It's amazing the things I take for granted on a regular basis.

The car is in a nearby shop, we are gloriously stranded at my grandma's house (who can complain about THAT?), and there will be details to work out later.

But for tonight ... I am just thankful.

SPARK #5: The Joy of Procrastination

Forget gold. Pyrex should be the new standard for monetary policies, especially this set from sevenbc! Invest in Pyrex!

What we don't do in a day is often more insightful than what we do accomplish.

In the past 15 days, since becoming a mom, the biggest change is what I consider "a reasonable accomplishment" to be in any given day. Tasks that were once mundane are now great feats. Preparing an appropriate dinner (as opposed to eating out of a box or bag) deserves a medal. Preparing clean clothes for the family and ensuring everyone has time for a bath is newsworthy.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I wouldn't have it any other way.

But I have noticed that many of my pre-motherhood goals are slipping by the wayside. It's a sort of metamorphasis, I think. Which leads me to this:

SPARK #5: What is something you intended to do today, but didn't? Why not?

And in case you believe this question to be ridiculous, think again. What you didn't do today is very insightful ...