Dear Mom,

Bless your time. You are about to embark upon a new chapter in the life of your lovely and active family. The days of shuttling to and fro. I too was a busy Navy wife and understand your concerns. Let me tell you a little story. When I was a young Navy wife, I was obviously in the company of many others that were far more experienced and 'with it' than I felt I could ever be. Once I had occasion to see my neighbor (her husband was deployed on a WestPac sea tour) unloading all of her children and groceries as she was preparing to set out on yet another trip to a ball field. I went across the way to help her. In the back of her van was a mountain of unfolded laundry. I asked if she was preparing to take the clothes to Good Will or perhaps a yard sale. She laughed and told me that she was doing neither but that the clothing I saw was indeed her laundry and that she found it very convenient to take the unfolded clothes with her to the ball field as it was a good opportunity to catch up on the folding and sorting while she was waiting for the practice to end. She laughed and joyfully reloaded everyone and headed for the base ball field. I praise God and thank Him for her holy and joy-filled witness. It made a real impression upon me.

Families do what they must do to meet the needs of one another. It is that simple. Mothers are servants and those moms who find that they must parent while their husbands are drawn away from the family through obligations pertaining to work are servants in the highest degree. Please allow that you must make the choice based upon what will be good for each person in the family. Please understand that children love and need the type of fun and challenge that sports provide. Not all children will desire to participate but for those children that find this fun and engaging...go for it. Make certain that the coaches and mentors that will be in front of your dear children are holy and will provide a holy witness. This is really the most important aspect of organized sports. Do not commit to too much and have fun with the joy of watching your son play ball. Offer up the inconveniences that might arise for those dear moms who have children that long to run, jump, and swim but are unable to due to physical limitations or financial limitations. Tell yourself over and over that 'this too shall pass and when it does I will miss the days of little boys and ball games'. Have fun with this new phase and pray for strength and patience.

P.S. Get a bigger laundry basket than my friend in the Navy had, perhaps your laundry will not spill out all over the back of the van.

Let us offer up our prayers this morning for all those dear moms who are flying solo with the very sacrificial work of parenting. Let us pray that their burdens will be light and their ability to shelter their children from the harshness of the world will be easily accomplished through the abundant and sure grace of the Lord.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn