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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Joy (05/18/06)
A REFILL

“We’re going outside, Mom!”

“No, you’re not!” I yell down to Tim. He can’t go outside with them right now. I just got out of the shower. I can’t watch them and make sure they’re safe.

“Yes, we are. We are going out in the backyard.”

Oh, well that would be all right.

“Just keep an eye on the little ones, OK?”

“Yes, Mom.”

Hmm…I wonder what that is all about. Why would he want to play with his little brother and sister? That sounds awfully suspicious of me. He and David fight so, though. I think he still harbors some sibling rivalry. On the other hand, I know he adores Sarah. Well, she is the baby after all. All right, she’s 2 ½, but still—he’s very protective of her.

I’m glad for this little break, though. A twenty minute shower, and now the three kids will be playing outside for a little while. I’ll check on them through the window, but we won’t be able to hear each other. We all need a break from each other once in a while.

It’s been especially difficult lately. Sarah has been so cranky lately. Probably due to the ear infection with which she was diagnosed yesterday. I felt so guilty for losing my patience with her in the grocery store. She did, after all, have a valid reason for being so cranky. I’m cranky, too. Do I have a valid reason?

I’ve gotten myself pretty committed here. Stay-at-home-mom, home-schooling mom, (aspiring) godly wife. I have to admit that this morning I didn’t want to get out of bed because as soon as I did, I knew that someone would want something from me. Before long, everyone would want something from me. I wanted to postpone it for just a little while. I’m mentally and emotionally exhausted. Jesus, please fill me up!

Now I wrap up my dripping wet hair in a towel and put on that wonderful white terrycloth bathrobe I love. I go into the boys’ room and look out the second-story window. And there it is—the reason for it all.

My three beautiful children are playing together in the sandbox in our backyard. I can’t hear them. It’s like watching TV with the volume on mute. The sun is shining on them and they are busy at work, at play. I think my heart may burst. I think I may cry. I think that Jesus just filled me up.
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This article has been read 1142 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Carol Shaffron
05/26/06
It's so lovely to be able to look at little snippets of life through another's eyes. Thank you for this adorable story. It could be a little more vivid if the children's features were described and you brought out their personalities more.
Shari Armstrong 
05/26/06
I can SO relate to this, but our aren't able to play on their own like that -yet. I'm just thankful for those times I can take a bath without getting toys dropped on me head :)

Try to have more variations in your sentances:

"He and David fight so, though." and "I’m glad for this little break, though."

"It’s been especially difficult lately." and "Sarah has been so cranky lately."

A nice slice of life, and reminder that it does get better!
Edy T Johnson
05/27/06
You have the creative heart for composing an endearing story. This expressed so well the exhaustion that comes with the territory---wanting to be everything we hope to be, but too human not to need that "refill" time. God bless you with all of His best!
Jessica Schmit
05/29/06
This is so touching! I loved the mother's thoughts to herself. very well crafted, yet I felt like it jumped around in different tenses. But you did a very good job and captured joy very well.!