Chronicles of an Inspired Single Mom

And just like that, February is over. It feels like the stage is being cleared and is now set for another scene. Each month comes with its own challenges, triumphs, and rollercoaster of emotions and sometimes it’s hard to reconcile them all. The other day as I discarded the roses that brightened the lounge for a few weeks I realised just how quickly things change. One minute you can be bright and colourful giving love and light to the environment that you occupy and the next you’re dry and dusty, still taking up the same space but unseen and no longer of any good use. I wonder what will the month of March bring? Will I offer love and hope in the spaces where I occupy or be good to no one but myself? That’s a question you can probably ask yourself as well.

When I look at my schedule for March I’m already feeling stretched and tired at the busyness of my calendar. One thing I’ve learnt in February is to pace myself. I dislike having days with multiple events scheduled or weekends that leave me exhausted. Couple of weeks ago I went to three different events in one day. I’m like…seriously there is only one Saturday in each week. I would rather spend my Saturdays with my kids just relaxing. I do understand that will not always be the case especially when you hold certain roles in different organisations but I find in this season of my life, I want my time to be more family centered. In one season I wanted to be “outside”. But now leave me inside please ah beg! 

I’m glad that I have a job that allows for this. Working in schools means I have a few more holidays than the average person. A week ago the children and I were off on a half term holiday. We didn’t do many activities but I believe it was time well spent. For many years I’d been telling them that we would catch the tram and just have a day out exploring other areas. We don’t realise how much we miss whether good or bad as we move in comfort and convenience in our cars daily.

So we finally did it! The first day of the half term holiday I drove to a town just fifteen minutes from our home. I never realised how something so simple would be so exciting to my 8 year old. He was buzzing with excitement. I parked in a carpark and we walked, well the rest of us walked, he ran to the tram stop. Not missing an opportunity for a teachable moment I asked him to read the signs and tell us what time the tram was coming. He also had to read the map and decipher where we were and how many stops would get us to the City Centre.

When he saw the tram coming steadily along the track his eyes lit up like bulbs. Once on the tram he used his bank card and paid the conductor for his ticket and he proved responsible by keeping his ticket safe, showing it proudly to the conductor on our return trip later that afternoon. It was me who was scrambling for my ticket at the end, presenting an IKEA receipt to the conductor with great surety.

Most of the afternoon was spent in the Lego shop. It’s a whole new world there. My son has been obsessed with building his own Lego city. I saw a Lego set that would go perfect with this dream of his and I thought that would make a great birthday or christmas gift. 

The following day my perspective changed drastically when we sat to do family devotions. We were all reading the chapter (Hebrews 1) quietly to ourselves, when he piped up and said ‘mom why don’t I have a bible?’ My daughter looked at me, I looked at her, we looked at him reading from a bible app on the Chromebook…I had no words. I told him I’d get him a bible when I get paid, but my spirit wouldn’t rest and I remembered my Godmother’s words, the things of God required haste. I looked for a suitable study bible for him and as I sat to do my devotions the next morning, the door bell sounded. It was Mr Amazon. The bible had arrived. Talk about quick work, won’the do it! My daughter commented that it wasn’t even 24 hours. She was right it was just a little over 12 hours and the gift was here. I thought I had seen excitement on this child’s face the day before on the tram but he was absolutely elated to have his very own bible.

Makes you think huh. Sometimes as parents we give our kids the most lavish gifts which either turn out to be beneficial or a gift we wish we’d just left in the store. This was a gift that would keep on giving for years and generations to come. One that would challenge, inspire and encourage him along life’s path. In all my planning and researching of giving him the perfect gift each birthday and christmas, I’d neglected this one. I’m glad that he was prompted to ask the question. But I’m even more thrilled that above everything else, he now has the perfect gift which will affect his life for years to come.

What’s the best or worst gift you’ve ever given your child or children? Drop an answer in the comment section

Until next time take care of yourself

Besos!😘

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