Let me introduce myself to you. I am a mother, grandmother, employee, neighbor, friend and significant other. These are only a few of the roles that I hold.
If you hold any of the roles that I mentioned above, then you’ll understand why Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”) is the verse that I hold unswervingly to and want to encourage you to do the same.
Have you ever had a day when every role that you play in life calls you to answer? Let me take you through a day in my life. I’m sure as you read, you’ll relate.
I wake up to a phone call from my daughter at 5:30 a.m. because her newborn is awake wanting to play “let’s make faces.” Now keep in mind I don’t actually have to awaken for at least another hour to get ready for work. I, of course, try to go back to sleep, but that’s literally impossible, so I get ready for work and head out the door. I arrive at my wonderful job bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, only to find out that everyone needs everything at the same time. I don’t complain, I just start hustling to get things done.
Around lunchtime I get a picture on my cell phone of my grandson. He’s doing something so adorably cute that I make plans with my daughter to visit him. My grandson greets me wanting to play the “up” game, which means ‘pick me up grandma, I’m 30 lbs of joy and I love you.’ I can’t resist of course but later on that night I will suffer with such wonderful back pain.
On my way home, a friend will call who needs to talk about something, so I listen and that call gets me home. (Oh and yes I have a blue tooth, so don’t worry, I’m not breaking the law.) I arrive home around 7:30 p.m. and run into a neighbor who wants to ask me some questions about the “special assessment” and how I feel about it. As a good neighbor I let him know where I’m at with things. I bid him ado and head to my unit. When I arrive I start preparing for my evening—maybe dinner and a movie—nothing too rigorous, but always fun. Needless to say I’m dog tired and ready to hit the pillow. I am exhausted and loving it!
This day I met several of my demanding roles head on! I am so proud of myself and looking forward to the next day like this. Make no mistake, I’m exhausted, but lovin’ every minute of it and grateful for the “strength” that God gives me. Every single role that I hold means the world to me and I wouldn’t change a thing about them.
I hope you embrace all of your roles and exist in them as I do. I say to all of the exhausted mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, significant others or spouses, neighbors and friends out there, may you have a restful Labor Day.
Vanessa Davis is the administrative assistant for Women of the ELCA.