To Me (When I'm Old),

Dear Melanie, 
    When you are 60 or 70, or hey, even 45 (not that 45 is old), please remember how tough it is to be in the throes of raising littles.  Remember that you never, ever sleep all night long.  Remember that the littles make messes faster than you can clean them up.  Remember that you spent the majority of everyday wiping bottoms and noses, sweeping floors and folding clothes, cutting up food and reading the same book over and over again. Remember that you work really, really hard to show your children how to live God's way.  Remember that you spend countless hours facilitating learning activities and opportunities for practicing good character. Remember that you had to discipline the same child, for the same thing, over and over and over again.  Remember that you are being constantly touched, that someone small is always begging to be held and that the Moby or Ergo saved you often.  Remember that you listen to cries, whines, and annoying music.  Remember that you answered questions about the why and how come of everything imaginable. Remember that you feel spread too thin, that you feel exhausted, overwhelmed and like you're always failing somebody in some area of life. Remember that it's hard to balance God, hubby, kids, friends, housework and everything else on your "to do" list.  Remember that you are pouring your heart and soul into your family, acting selflessly in most everything you do.
     Don't forget the good stuff either, because there is plenty of that.  This season of life is made up of hard work, but it's also full of giggles and snuggles and small people who love you more than anyone else in this world ever has.  Those small people are gifts from God that fill your day with joy unspeakable, they are precious blessings that you absolutely adore, and they have helped make you into the person that you are. I could write on and on about the good, but that is not the purpose of this letter. Here's the most important thing I have to say to you: encourage others! When you see young mommies out and about, or read their posts on social media, encourage them! Don't be vain. Don't think that they have it easier than you did.  Don't think that they aren't as good at parenting as you were. Remember what life with littles is like.  Tell them that they are doing a good job.  Find something good and comment on it. Tell them that you know how hard they work. Tell them you know how hard it is to serve selflessly. Affirm who they are...the mommy God chose for those kids.  The best mommy in the world for those kids. This is pretty basic, but if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.  Don't ever say you didn't have any problems with your kids because you chose a better way to parent.  
     Your parenting is covered by grace.  By God's grace.  It is only by his grace that any child grows up to be a force for his kingdom.  You are doing your best.  So are most of the other mommies out there.  Give them grace too. Love others. That's it for now...you've got a baby crying and a toddler that needs help in the bathroom! :-)