“Heaven Help Us” by Brooke Atkins
This song is one of my absolute “go-to’s.” Whether I’ve got 30 minutes to fold several loads of laundry before we head out to our next commitment or we need something to calm everyone down and bring a feeling of peace.
Someone asked me recently, “What’s life like as a mother to three young sons and a wife to a busy husband?” My first response was simply a giggle, because, well friends, you’ve seen me out and about, it’s wild! “Heaven help me!”
All laughs aside…this is such a joyous stage of life. I am so lucky that I notice my blessings and can positively relish each moment! Aaron, the boys, and I are living our best lives.
It’s not all happiness all the time. Sometimes, many times, it gets very stressful. With five very busy schedules, I often need to be in two places at once and, as my husband Aaron can attest, I often double-book him too!
Consider a day in my life: perhaps I’m trying to make as many weekly Mass times as possible, get the boys to religious education, youth group, praise & worship, or to the scouts, baseball, basketball, soccer, football, farm chores, volunteering - you name it, we are doing it and it’s a holy sprint to get it all done. Not to mention, “What’s for supper?”
I often wonder to myself if I’m the only one running back and forth like a wild woman. Then I’ll wave at another mom in her minivan twice on the same road within 10 minutes and realize: “I’m right there in the same boat as so many wonderful people, just trying to make it happen.” It’s a mother’s daily goal to get everyone where they need to be and manage the whole family’s hectic schedule. What a blessing this is for us, while some days are a genuine struggle.
What seems like a well-planned day (on paper) turns into chaos with one slight change. A temperamental child turns the best of intentions into a haphazard (or even hazardous) situation. I know for myself that if a specific child wakes up in a bad mood, it’s going to be a bad day for all of us. Heaven help me!
I wish I had realized much sooner that so many were “fighting the good fight” alongside me. Instead, I felt very judged as a young mother. When my child would break down in a screaming fit during the homily, I thought surely people wished we’d just keep our wild one at home. So, to the rest of the parents wrestling your toddlers today, EVERYONE wants you at Mass! Father has said it many times: the children in our church are each a blessing. Their cries are a beautiful reminder of our thriving future!
For myself and all of us, it’s important to remember that we are never alone. Many have gone before us and are walking with us now, willing to share in the struggles we face. We can work through it with God, who walks with us! He will never leave us and will always take care of us. HEAVEN HELP US!!
