Hard Days & Joyful Mornings

We've had a week of ups (three 1.5 hour naps with no arguments) and downs (one fussy 20 minute nap ALL DAY).

The days without sleep are rough on both of us - the Bird is exhausted and inconsolable, and I'm exhausted and defeated. But, even in those days, I'm learning the consistent truth that joy comes in the morning.

We can go a full day and part of the night without a break, and the next morning, the sun rises and so do our spirits. We cuddle and giggle and dance, and the hard day is forgotten.

It's easy to enjoy this journey of mamahood on the good days, when smiles are plentiful and rest refreshes. However, I know I come out of the hard days better for it - I appreciate her smiles more, I hold on to cuddles longer, I love her better.

When I need a break, I've been listening to this song by Bethany Dillon over and over. It's heartwarming on the good days, but it's so much sweeter on the hard ones.

If you aren't where you can give it a listen, here are the lyrics:

Good morning

You and the sun are up before I'm ready

But ready or not, you need me

So here I am

I'm learning that in the long hard days

There is beauty

Do you know my favorite place to see it

It's when I look at you

And though I'm tired now

You're worth every sleepless night

You're worth it all, cause I know...

You're the best song I'll ever write

And we're humming and dancing through the years together

You're the best song I'll ever write

And I pray you'll hear Jesus in it when you're older

I remember when you were just a heartbeat that I heard

and now our eyes meet

Forever is not enough to love you

Every prayer for you is like a seed in the ground

Every tear I cry is like rain

And in its due season

I pray a harvest will be found

Your heart and mouth confessing Jesus' name

Your heart and mouth confessing Jesus' name

So, Momma, hear me. Whether today is a hard day or an easy day, I hope you remember that you are enough. Even when you're exhausted and feel empty, you're singing love over your little and planting those seeds in their tiny life. That is more than enough. 

I'm thankful for this song this week, and I hope it blesses someone else, too.