To the mama feeling a pang of jealousy over back-to-school pictures,

Mama friend, I see you. You’re sitting on the couch nursing a baby while a toddler runs around, asking when you’ll be ready to play. You’re scrolling through your phone, and you see one back-to-school picture after another. For a moment, you wish you could be sharing those photos.

You so desperately wish for a break from the chaos of caring for little ones. You long for a reprieve, but it feels like that moment will never arrive.

I know there are times you want to wish these days away. I know you want your kids to grow up so you can have a breath, a little bit of independence. But I also know that in your heart you know you’ll miss it when that day finally arrives.

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The silence will be deafening.

The house will finally stay clean for more than a minute.

The dishes won’t pile up as quickly.

You’ll long for the mess, the need, the laughter.

You’ll long for them to be close by you again.

I know these moments are not easy. I know they are taxing, and you just want a break.

But for this moment, these little ones are yours. You have more influence than you realize. They are not looking to please their peers. They are not stressed about what one person is saying about them to another. They love being with you, and you are their everything. You are all they need right now.

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I know you’ve heard it said time and time again that you should enjoy these moments because they will be gone in the blink of an eye, and I know that doesn’t help in the moment of the chaos.

Your time will come, sweet mama. You’ll post those back-to-school pictures, and your house will be empty, and you’ll probably long for these days again in some way or another.

Although the season you’re in isn’t easy, it’s invaluable. It cannot be replaced by someone else. You have been called to raise these little ones so that when it’s time for those back-to-school photos to be taken, they’ll be ready to soar.

Keep loving on them. Squeeze those babies just a little bit tighter today.

Keep your eyes and heart on God. He will give you the wisdom and strength to get through each day.

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You’re exactly where you need to be. You’re doing exactly what God has called you to do, and he sees you. You have not been overlooked. You are planting the seeds that will lead to a glorious harvest one day.