It was one of those mornings. She was just grumpy. Fussing about breakfast, fussing about sharing. She just followed me around the kitchen, crying and fussing. She wanted held. She wanted read to. She wanted to steal her sister’s doll and stroller. She sat on the counter a screamed. How dare I not let her take her sister’s chair?! Tears, rage, and then the need for nurturing. I had held her, read to her, walked with her. But it was only a temporary fix.

It was a busy morning. Four little ladies is always busy. But then there’s the chores, the never ending Africa prep, and the scheduling of time with friends. I needed two hands. She had to wait sometimes. That was never in her plan. She didn’t need words to explain that.

And then I just held her, pacing with her on my hip as I made needed phone calls. The recipients were patient with the fussing toddler.

I say down on the couch. My back was tired. She’s not exactly light. And as I talked to her big sisters, this happened.

Some times as a mommy are hard. It’s not all a cakewalk of beautiful memories. There are times I’m ready to tag someone else in. Matt is familiar with the glazed-over stare. He’s had it himself before. And while I know when she wakes back up we may very well be back to this teething ugliness again, but for now she is overcome with peace. And I can see the beauty in the still, even if it may only be the eye of the storm.

Embracing the beauty is such a help in building endurance. I’m praying that over tired moms today.

Through Christ’s eyes we can see the beauty, even when the storm’s still hitting.