12/8/2014 0 Comments Mum-daneI've been surrounded by the phrase "ordinary to extraordinary" the last few days. It's the title of the current series at church, the title of my devotional this morning, and ironically it's flashed a few times in adds and commercials this season. Seems as though people may be searching for the extra in the ordinary everyday, in every season, location, and moment. It's funny because as a mom, the ordinary surrounds- actually bombards life. There's nothing more mundane than preschoolers and toddlers who need routine naps, feedings, social stimulation- to make every day seem extra ordinary. (Two separate words here). If you're a working mom, I'm sure (as I was once in those shoes) there's routine and mundane in your moments. But as a stay at home mom, there's a magnifying glass on the remedial of everyday. Nowhere to be found is purpose, instruction, and tasks delegated or assigned. The only "job" SAHM have is to keep the kids alive. And somewhere in there, feed and change them. If you're an exceptional mom, you're the one that teaches your kids lessons through sensory activities, and plans play dates to encourage proper social interaction. You feed organic foods to your kids and monitor the intake levels of sugar and gluten. Your house is immaculate and you manage to shower, and dress yourself in time for your morning coffee- which is superstar status. (I say all of that as I type this, at 11:41am, still in pajamas, makeup from last night, across from the mountain of laundry needing folded on my couch, and while the kids feast on cocoa puffs. You can see I haven't reached "stardom" quite yet amongst other moms.{ps- I don't plan on or desire to achieve super stardom in that sense ever. Just FYI.}). If you've read any of my posts for any given time you certainly know my take and perspective on parenting. How I value the role of "disciple-er" as a parent, and place importance on that, more so than on the cleanliness of my kitchen. But I wanted to just remind us - mostly myself- and maybe you in the process as you read this post- that our job as moms is a startling call to extraordinary living. Listening to my pastor talk about Mary the mother of Jesus yesterday, made me laugh. I've never viewed her life before as one like mine. More so as someone to "aspire to be like". This spotless and innocent lady, who probably never stained her clothes, or had dirt between her toes. But the reality is, she walked dirt roads like everyone else. So her feet were probably like mine, and less than perfect pedicured. She wasn't this perfect and innocent being. Yeah- she was a virgin- so that no one could get the glory or credit or kudos for "knocking her up", but other than that we don't read about her perfection or screw ups. Who knows. Mary could've been a habitual liar, or a jealous girlfriend. She could've been the town gossiper or the divisive family member. We don't know. We know she wasn't perfect. Because she was human. (Phew.) But more so, she was given a task that required her to give up some luxuries. Our pastor embarked on the sacrifices of "not decorating a nursery" and the image of "whore" she probably wore once the town found out. This made my mind whirl with the other "sacrifices" she made. But honestly there were so many more things she gave up for the cause of Christ. Literally and figuratively. And as moms- we can find a startling similarity with this mother of Jesus if only we would look. The bible kind of skips over the whole pregnancy of Mary. And the delivery. It wraps it neatly in a few verses saying she "carried the child" and "gave birth to the child." But as moms- we all know any one of our pregnancies or deliveries could be described that way. But then the stories aren't exactly "accurate". I'm not saying the bible isn't accurate. I'm saying for the sake of time, space, and maybe graphic details some people would rather not read- the details are omitted from the story. As moms- let's just bring the realities of every pregnancy and delivery into play here. Because whether the four gospels describe them or not- Mary lived with them. All of the glorious realities of being a mom. The angel appears to her to tell her the name of her baby, and how she will end up pregnant. But that's all the detail she gets. Which is pretty much terrifying- because we can all comfortably grapple those two things when pregnancy is upon us. Certainly "making the baby" isn't such a big deal. It's kind of fun- ok a lot of fun usually- and it feels good, and for the majority of us, we consent and probably begged for the process. There's also the idea of naming the baby- which is one of the easier feats of bringing a child into the world. Sure there's the surface complaints of "what name should we pick" and "he and I just can't agree on one" or something. But especially your first kid, compared to say- the fourth- picking a name is relatively fun and easy. Those two things were taken from Mary's hands and done for her. Strike one. (Or sacrifice one I guess). We don't read about Mary having morning sickness. Maybe she didn't. As a mom who has it severely, I hope God would find it in His abundant mercy to grace Mary with an easy pregnancy. But let's just be real. The girl was at the very least exhausted. The first trimester brings upon us all a spirit of sleepiness. Tired is an understatement and there's no amount of napping or caffeine to bring you out of it. I'm not even getting into the nitty gritty of if she was hyper-sensitive to smells- like those of livestock which were probably near her home given the time period. They didn't exactly have indoor plumbing- so using the toilet could've been torture for his nasal passages alone. Her boobs probably hurt. She may have gotten nose bleeds. Or pregnancy gingivitis. Headaches or cramping. Who knows. The first few months could've been terrible. Second trimester she's probably feeling better from whatever it is that ails her. But she's now showing. So now - everyone who didn't already hear of her "unusual" circumstances is finding out. Her clothes are starting to not fit. I guess her "cloaks and robes" of the time could've been a bit more forgiving than our modern skinny jeans. But having worn a "robe" for a Christmas production while 20 weeks prego, I can attest to it not exactly being "flattering". The robe turns into more of a "house". Her poor feet- probably swollen- and she has to walk everywhere since they don't have cars yet. She also, can't exactly send Joseph to the local 24-hour market for cravings- since there probably wasn't one. She's also feeling a bit better so the reality of what's happening is starting to set in. The girl is young. Like- some scholars say a young as 13. I was 21 having my first baby-And I was terrified of how this baby was going to exit me and come into the world. This poor girl is still figuring out who the heck she is and how her body functions- I can't imagine the thoughts and fears she had to wrestle to the ground about delivering. She couldn't exactly google the averages an standard procedures for birth. She's relying on family history and probably a few close friends and their experiences for information. And we all know the people who've had a baby before us are so stuffed with advice and horror stories about delivery. Poor Mary is left without other options or defense in the form of research or science. Third trimester rolls around and she's probably aching. Her back, feet, hips- the works. The bible doesn't exactly describe Jesus as a "featherweight" so she's holding nearly 6-8 pounds of baby, a few kinds of fluid and blood, and all the extras inside of her. She's packed on a few pounds of baby weight on the outside- which means she's got stretch marks all over her newly-pubescent body. Joseph hasn't even seen her naked yet and the poor girl is loosing her girlish figure. (At least my hubs got to see me in my "glory days" before the person that is post-baby arrived and marred me.) She's not exactly looking into her birth options. Hospital, birth center, home....doesn't really matter at this point. Because there's probably Not at a choice at this juncture. And little does she know- she won't be giving birth in her house or anywhere remotely "sanitary" when the time comes. She's probably feeling some Braxton hicks, or wondering what real labor feels like. She can't sleep well since she has to pee every few minutes, and her mattress isn't exactly a "sleep number" or "memory foam" make. Then she gets the news from her "Prince Charming" that they'll be traveling- by donkey back- to a po-dunk town about 20 minutes prior to her due date, for some census survey. I'm sorry- but I'm pretty sure I would've gotten a doctors note and skipped that little venture. Donkey or not the ride was much less than glamorous. The car ride with AC and padded seats that recline is terrible when labor begins- I can't imagine being atop a donkey and looking for a "room" to bear down in. Poor Joseph is facing some pressure too. Because all of us turn into crazies when amidst contractions. All these movies show Mary keeping her cool while fully clothed in layers of cloth and sitting peacefully on a sweet donkey as they look for a motel 8. But really- we all know Mary was ripping her clothes off because she was crazy hot, and telling Joseph to get his crap together before she murders him in the street. She doesn't have an epidural or even some Tylenol to take the edge off, so you know she's not sitting on that Donkey in any shape or form. She's probably using the donkey to hang off of or kick at while she moans and screams in the starlight. (Maybe the heavenly hosts that sing to the nearby shepherds are really covering the blood curdling cries of a 15 year old in labor). Joseph finally hulls her into a stable because she probably told him the baby was crowning - and that he better get this thing out of her NOW or she's going to kill him for the second time. Maybe she lays back- maybe she's on all fours- but she certainly isn't in a water birthing tub or a birthing suite. She's on some hay and dirt, while cows and sheep stare at her and crap in the same location. The hospital staff at any hospital would loose their minds if someone brought cow "pies" to my next delivery. Mary probably laid on it. Group B strep had nothing on this stable. The baby finally is out- don't ask how they cut the cord- those details aren't provided. Maybe Joseph had a Sterile pair of hospital grade scissors. Though I doubt it. She can't exactly "shower" after giving birth- she's just left to lay in whatever mess was made. Blood, possibly a BM, and the cow pies which now are probably not so bad. Maybe she moves to the other pile of hay- to be a little more "clean". This baby- who is supposedly the miraculous savior their people have been waiting for to rescue them and redeem them from all history is here- but he's wrinkled and frail. Naked and probably crying for Mary to do something like nurse him. He's fully dependent on these two young people to help him survive in order to "redeem" mankind. I wonder if Mary doubted His ability and promise at that point. Because I know I probably would've. They need to wrap the baby in something. After all they are outside. It is the evening. And babies don't exactly stay warm themselves at first. The bible does give us the description of Jesus' first swaddling blanket. A cute, fluffy, clean and never used - monogrammed keep sake blanket. Ha. No. It's actually "swaddling clothes". Not the kind for swaddling babies either. Wrong swaddle. It's the pieces of fabric used to wrap dead people. Burial clothes. Mummy strips if you will. To wrap up the "Lion of Judah and King of Kings". Mary at this point is lovably thinking "we WILL call him Emmanuel, because he's here WITH us." Not in a eternal promise sense. But probably in a "he's here and won't let us sleep now" sense. How on earth could they forget. A brand new baby cries and doesnt exactly sleep great to begin with. She left with postpartum delights: 4-5 weeks of bleeding, uterine cramping, sore and leaky boobs, flabby skin, and a new baby to answer at every beck and call. I think about those kinda of details and think "Mary. Poor Mary." If that girl knew all that was coming when the angel delivered her news, would she have said "be it to me as you said in your word"? I think I would've asked for that word to not be fulfilled. And yet she said yes. Every time my kids spill chocolate milk on the carpet. Every time I have to wipe a poopy butt during dinner. Every time I'm fighting a 2-y/o to get buckled in a car seat- I am choosing to say " yes" just like Mary. Every time your kid talks back to you. Every time they melt down in the target aisle. Every time they refuse to nap. You are saying "yes" just like Mary too. Because amidst the struggles and the chaos and the ordinary of parenting every day, is the call to train our kids up- to one day be the light in a dark world. We trade sleep and sanity for the glorious reward of raising disciples who will make disciples. Don't grow weary in doing well momma. There's a reward coming even though we can't see it yet. It looks like your son telling kids in Uganda about Jesus, and the stories you shared with him when he was young, and leading 100's of kids to Jesus. It looks like your daughter being a school teacher who gets to pray for the kids in her class off the clock, and show the love of Jesus that you showed to her when she was little. It looks like your kids being Jesus in line at the very same target aisle where they "lost it", to the elderly couple now there. It looks like legacy in the lives your kids will touch later-because of the Truth you've taught them today. The mundane tasks Mary faced, are much like those you and I face everyday. She had to potty train Jesus. She had to keep him from having temper tantrums at the market. She had to teach him what words were polite and not. (I wish she had also written a parenting manual.) Mary had the daunting task of raising the Savior of the world among her everyday life. But amidst the everyday of our mom-lives, is the task of raising kids who will carry the light of the savior to those around them. Don't be fooled by the ordinary. It's the way the enemy distracts and defeats us as moms- making us think "are you really doing something valuable here?" It's the same trick he used on Eve way back when, when he said "did God really say.." You are valuable. And your kids are being raised to know Him. This Christmas, as your family sits around the table, or the tree, and someone spills red juice on the white rug- or opens the wrong present during gifts- or knocks over your mother in laws tree- know that you're above the mundane. You're just here on assignment - to train world changers. And those are all just part of the obstacle course called life. Keep up the good work. Don't get burn out. And let the promise of the things God has said, be fulfilled to the fullest in you!!! Happy Christmas from all of the Curzio's, and a splendidly delightful new year!!
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AuthorBri is the mom to four little people, the wife to a gentle giant, and a lover of Jesus. She's figuring out the best ways to parent by trial and error, and sharing her struggles, successes, and stories with you! Archives
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