Yes, you read that right. My child peed on me. True story.

She may be embarrassed I am telling you this so I will omit her name and age, but please know I am NOT talking about a tiny, adorable, cute, little bundle of bouncy baby.

My sweet, angel child was quite disgusted with the appearance of the bathwater after her three sisters had already completed their baths. Yes, I reuse bath water for the kids. What, you don’t?

Being the mommy who really doesn’t like a lot of whining and crying at the end of the day, and hates gross stuff myself, I fully understood the issue. I decided to let her join me for a quick shower. As I am stepping into the shower, my darling angel, announces that she needs to relieve herself.

Actually, she hollers, “I NEED TO PEE.”

I, not thinking things through completely, tell her, “Well, go pee.” I wasn’t specific about WHERE she should go to do this.

I proceed to turn my back on her to adjust the water temperature before turning on the shower head. I feel . . . something . . . warm. 

That sweet, sweet child I carried under my heart for nine months, kind-hearted soul that she is, began apologizing, through hysterical bursts of laughter.

Did she?

She wouldn’t have!?!

She DID!!!

It seems this crafty young lady (I use the term loosely), had climbed up onto the edge of the tub before relieving her demanding bladder (one would never want to urinate on one’s own feet). No, one would rather pee on her mom than on her own feet.

Imagine my delight.

Isn’t this just a snippet of how life can feel sometimes? You are going around, doing your thing . . . trying to do the “right thing”. You are trying to think of others, TRYING to put them before yourself, feeling like you may be making some sort of progress in the whole “treat others as you would want them to treat you” thing, but at the same time, feeling like you’re getting, well, peed on.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

It’s hard, sometimes. Being there when you are needed, looking out for others, can become exhausting. That’s when the thoughts creep in: 

When’s it my turn?

Who is looking out for ME?

When do I get to catch a break?

Don’t people know how I feel? I’m overwhelmed. Don’t they understand? Don’t they care?

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 

I try. I want so badly to not let other people down. I want to be the listening ear, I want to be a provider, I want to be the person they can count on when others are not there for them, but sometimes I set my ambitions too high and take on more than I am truly capable of . . . probably more than I am meant to take on. Sometimes, perhaps, I try to save a bigger part of the world than I have been entrusted with.

Did you know that it is OK to say “no”? If not an outright “no” a “maybe later” or “not at this time” will do, too. It is okay for a little reprieve from the bombardment of needs from those around you. Even Jesus took a break from the crowds to rest.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place . . . Matthew 14:13 

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone . . . Matthew 14:22-23 

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). Everyone needs a break. Everyone needs time to refill. Mark 4:35-40 

Friend, carve out a little time for yourself, even if it is taken in short bursts because of young children. Make time, daily for scripture reading and prayer. Keep a devotional book handy or leave a Bible in the kitchen. Subscribe to an app or email list that will send you a “verse of the day” and devotions lest you forget amid the craziness. If even for a moment, open SOMETHING up and read God’s words. Prayers can be an ongoing communication throughout the day.

Care for yourself. This one is hard for me because I often feel guilty, taking time out for just me, but your body needs maintenance. A car cannot continue to function without regularly scheduled oil changes and tune-ups; neither can a tired mommy. Prioritize your to-do list. There are things that must be done, but there are so many others that can wait while you take a quick walk in the sunshine or a short bubble bath.

And make time for your friends. It’s amazing what a little “girl time” can do for your weary soul. Laugh, cry, sit and swap crazy stories . . . you may just find that you are “looking out for others” as well as yourself with this one because chances are, your friends are as burned out and stressed as you are. Give a sister-mom a little love. We are all in this together . . . you know, trying not to get peed on.