
Back in the 80's there was a movie made called Mr. Mom. Now in this movie, the husband gets laid off and becomes a stay at home dad while his wife goes back to work. Now, I am beginning to understand what that character felt like.
No, I didn't get laid off, but due to morning sickness, my wife has been unable to do a whole lot around the house. Believe me, she wants to but her upset tummy, nausea, headaches, prevent her from doing what her heart yearns to do. Thus, I have donned the title of Mr. Mom to our little girl and to the housework.
Now several things have become very clear to me as I have attempted, and that is the key word, to step into my wife's shoes.
- First, does anyone actually dust their home each week? My wife insists that people actually do this. What if someone broke in? The police would be able to easily see where the criminal had been and get quality fingerprints from all over the house, right?
- Meal planning. You mean more than opening the fridge at 5:30 and saying, uhm, what sounds good? This is a skill that I don't possess but am learning day by day.
- Laundry. Has anyone else noticed that if you leave laundry alone in a secluded spot, you suddenly have more laundry? Think rabbits...yeah me too. I don't know how in the world to stay on top of this one with our picky washer. (really low water pressure, takes 1/2 hour to fill up)
- Bathrooms. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a self cleaning bathroom? You know, lock the door, set the timer, and walk away? Not in our bathroom and thus I find myself with a sponge in hand cleaning. How did my wife keep up with this on a regular basis? When I was a bachelor, you cleaned like once a month and that worked, right?
-Childcare. Ever try to work on the computer with an active 10 1/2 month old climbing all over the office? Yeah, right. Our daughter is wonderful and a real blessing from the Lord, but my wife is a saint compared to my patience level. (actually, we are both saints according to the Bible, but figuratively speaking, she is more than I am)
-Pregnancy. No, I have not experienced this one firsthand nor will I. But now in the second pregnancy, my beautiful wife is such a trooper. She actually knew she was going to get sick, have yucky days, and all that goes with pregnancy and STILL wanted to have another child. (insert 'Hallelujah Chorus' here)
So as I count the days till my other half can jump back into the life that she desperately desires, and that I desperately wish to hand back when/if she is ready, I see God's hand in both of our lives through this time. For me, I am learning, again-cuz I didn't get it the first time, what it means to serve my wife as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for us. She is being stretched to let go of her desires to do, and wait on the Lord to give her wisdom and strength to do what she can handle.
To you, my dear wife, I salute you and thank the Lord for you. I love you, always.
Till Next Time, this concludes thoughts by an acting Mr. Mom.