Causing a Scene

Do you ever feel like you're causing a scene just by walking into a room?

I get this feeling every time I walk into a public place!  You see, what's normal, every day life to me--caring for and toting around four children under four years of age--seems a little overwhelming to the common onlooker.  When I walk into a place with a car seat in each hand and a toddler on each heel, I see heads turn, I hear little murmurs or outright "You've got your hands full!"s; and I officially feel like I have created a scene.

I'm not saying that every person who sees me and my crew thinks I'm crazy or cursed (there are many out there who would agree that I am happy and blessed!) or that every person who makes a comment means it in a negative way.   I'm not even saying that I'm bothered by the fact that we just naturally tend to create a scene.  To the contrary, I feel like it gives me a great opportunity:  an opportunity to disband the belief that a mother of young children must feel frazzled and an opportunity to disprove the assumption that all children must act unruly.

I can just imagine a mother walking into a public place, her hands full (literally), her hair all a mess, her countenance full of sorrow, hopelessly beseeching her disobedient children to "Wait for me!"  That is NOT the kind of scene that I'm okay with creating! :-)  It sure wouldn't speak much to the joys of having children.  It sure wouldn't cause onlookers to say, "Look at that blessed mother."

I want to be the mother who walks into a place, hands full (literally), countenance full of peace and joy, enjoying the company of her obedient children who are calmly staying right by her side.  I want to be that mother not because I want onlookers to sing my praises, but because I want people to know that I am not "cursed."  I want people to know that it is possible to have four children under four years of age and to still have peace and joy.  I feel in a sense like this is my responsibility.  (Luke 12:48b says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.")

And, there's no doubt, it is a big responsibility.  But, the good news is, He who requires much of me has also given much to me.  Not only has He given me four blessings, but He has also given me His Word which instructs me and His Spirit which guides me as I endeavor to train them up.  He has given me joy.  He has given me salvation.  He has given me everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

So, world.  As you look at me because of my full hands, I hope that what you see is my full heart. For there is my Jesus.  There is my hope.  There is my joy.  There is my peace.