Weariness Abounds

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up."
~Galatians 6:9

Yesterday was one of those days. One of those clock-watching, when-will-my-husband-get-home, headachey kind of days when if one kid is quiet the other is yelling, as if they've worked out some sort of schedule to alternate trying to drive me insane. I cannot count the number of times I wanted to throw my hands in the air and give up. I was weary, to say the least.

It was day seven of seemingly endless rainstorms, which means we've been trapped inside for a week now. Oh, we've attempted to get outdoors to run off some energy when the sun has dared to peek through now and then. We tried that yesterday. About 10 minutes into our walk, we got rained on.

It was one of those days where my kids were being particularly irrational. How is it that two very tired children can simply refuse to nap? Where do they get this nonsensical will power? When Caleb finally fell asleep, he was on the floor on his little musical play mat, which, at the time, was not playing music (because he was sleeping). So Abby turned the music on for him by stomping on the mat, and promptly woke him up.

Like I said...one of those days.

But somewhere in the middle of this day that I'd like to forget, Abby made me a mother's day present in her Moppettes class, and as I saw it laying on the kitchen table this morning, I remembered why I put up with days like this. It's not for the thankfulness of my children (there aren't too many "thank yous" coming out of Abby's mouth, and Caleb has yet to offer more than a grunt). It's not for the prestige and fame of motherhood, I assure you. It's not even because the weekend is just around the corner, for Saturday is just another day at work for a stay at home mom.

Nope, I do this because I love them. That's it. What explanation could there be, besides love, that could motivate me to wipe stinky bottoms and runny noses, read "Goodnight Moon" for the millionth time, or tolerate someone poking my belly button and laughing hysterically about a hundred times a day?

I put up with these kids for the same reason God puts up with me. Because they're mine, and I adore them. And I wouldn't have it any other way.