What I've always wanted to be...

I've always wanted to be a cook... to create fine meals and menus and to present them beautifully. To work short order or to plan several courses. To feed the same people day in and day out, working to make them healthful. ...So why do I dread starting each new meal?

I've always wanted to be a waitress... to serve, to prep the table, to "be right back" with whatever someone needs or wants... so why are my feet so heavy now?

I've always wanted to be a bus boy... to clear dish upon dish upon dish from the table. To wipe down and even scrub the remains of food and drink from the surface. To sweep (and even scrub) the floor underneath each chair once each meal is over. ...so why do I let it sit so long before finally doing it?

I've always wanted to be the "dish washer"... to have my hands in water so much during the day that it is impractical to get a manicure (even if I could have one). To rewash the same plates, bowls and cups, pots and pans, spoons, forks, knives, etc., etc. over and over and over and over... just to see them dirtied and in need of washing over again. ...so why do I avoid it as long as possible?

I've always wanted to be a cleaning lady... to spend hour upon hour upon hour sweeping, wiping, clearing, dusting. To do the same monotonous work day in and day out, just to see it dirtied again. ...so why don't I do it with joy now? (correction: why don't I do it at all now?)

Then there are the other jobs I've longed to do...

laundry
ironing
nurse sick and injured
cheering
playing
building
organizing
singing
talking
growing

The list can and does go on forever!

Ok, so I suppose I never realized that these are the things I've always wanted to be... but when I longed to be a wife and mother, this was part of it! When I was dreaming of the day I would have children, I was dreaming of wiping noses, scrubbing floors, potty training, pushing a train around a track, dusting, meal planning, doing dishes. Like I said, the list goes on.

So why are my minutes not spilling over with words and thoughts of praise to my God for blessing me with the desires of my heart??

Lord, open my eyes, with each new minute, to all I have to rejoice in! Thank you for all you give me! Help me to be thankful for all that being a wife and mother entails!