Motherhood Reps.

A little note for the end of the day.

While lifting weights last week, I couldn’t shake the thought that no one else could do the reps for me. I have a goal I want to achieve and while there technically is a short cut, there is no short cut for me.

Each time I press that weight, micro tears occur in my muscle. These microtears are painful, intense, uncomfortable. And I picture itty bitty triangles for whatever reason—why they’re triangles is just as much a mystery to you as it is to me—ripping microscopic holes into my biceps/quads/calves/glutes when the pain hits. But those microtears leads to the rebuilding of that muscle tissue and, in turn, strength.

Every correct rep leads to breaking and rebuilding, strength from the weakness.

What I couldn’t get out of my head? There is no shortage of reps in motherhood.

You’ll have a cycle of endless reps from the moment that child is placed on your chest. The same workout day after day, minute after minute at times. Changing the diapers, getting the meal on the table, vacuuming the floor, training the heart attitude and the tongue.

You learn to function off of less sleep, less luxury, less time. You are exhausted, but you see no short cut available to you. Another rep, then another.

Before you know it, by the grace of God, these reps completed in weakness have changed you. You’ve grown in patience, humility, kindness, forgiveness, true joy, self control.

Look what’s in your arms, that weight you’re holding. You couldn’t carry that before. Faithfully continue to walk joyfully in the serving, the submitting, the sacrifice, the surrender, the softening and watch it turn to strength.

The triangles and the Spirit are hard at work.

Happy Mother’s Day, friends.