I happen to like Google– even if they sold out to the Chinese. Thanks to smart search engines, you can learn almost everything about anything concerning nothing nowadays. Type in your fancy, and voila’, information overload is at your fingertips.

But sometimes search engines aren’t so smart. Often site owners will check their Google hits and find highly amusing ways that people got to their site. For me, hits are often generated by someone searching for “Amy Scott” or something in relation to a dishwasher. But yesterday, someone in Ohio found me by typing, “I am beginning to hate staying home with little kids.” Out of 11.9 million websites, my site came up fifth concerning those words.

Not knowing this woman (presumably), I will never have the chance to sit down and sip a mocha with her. But I will continue to cross paths with women harboring the same sentiment in her heart in the coming days—especially if I look long enough in the mirror some dreary mornings.

There are two ways to approach the matter, the way I see it. One is to follow the advice of many women who have gone before: get plugged in with other mothers of preschoolers, set a schedule (preferably one that includes nap/quiet time for all), get moving outside, and surround yourself with others who will encourage you in your unique calling. Try new things: plant a garden, test new recipes, volunteer with the kids in tow, and keep your mind fresh with books, books, and more books.

And tape over toys with noise in order to mute the sound a little.

The second approach is entirely different, not necessarily exclusive to the first. And that is to repent. When Jesus tells us that the way is narrow, few find it, and to take up your cross, He was the antithesis of the trendy pop-advice found in Oprah-like magazine articles. They say, “Love yourself,” as He says, “Love the Lord your God.” They say, “Make time for yourself,” while the Bible says, “Wait on the Lord.” We (mothers) are not leaving home for the workplace for lack of “me time,” but because, we fill our minds (un- and subconsciously, to be sure) with ideas that are anti-Biblical: “Have it your way,” “You deserve a break today,” and “Our bodies, our choice.”

choice

We are not called to a life of ease, but to a life of glory. That is, our chief end is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster, Question 1) In this simple catechism statement, we see God’s transcendence (His awe, His power) and His immanence (His nearness, His care). Not only are we to glorify a great God by taking up our cross and following Him, but we are to enjoy Him as we do, as He is One who enables us to glorify Him, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

He gives strength to the weary so that we can serve Him with gladness. If we find insufferable our jobs—the very one that God has entrusted us with, the precious calling of accepting the least of these in His name—the remedy is not more “me time,” but more time on our knees. This is first. A mocha topped with whipped cream shared with another mom afterward doesn’t hurt either.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
~Psalm 145:17-19