“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” C.S. Lewis
Raising four children under the age of six was a fertile ground to develop this quality in my life. From stretching $2 at McDonald’s to feed mom and 4 hungry kiddos, to making it an adventure when the van broke down again, or playing ‘Go to Work with Mommy Day’ and earning ‘food credits’ for helping, each obstacle trained me to focus on how others were part of the equation and not just my own interests. I remember moments with humor and quiet fondness and those timeless lessons linger. From these parenting experiences, there were some lessons learned.
Sleep was my most precious commodity. I would do almost anything for even minutes of rest. One particular instance provided me with an hour of napping and a lesson in humility as well.
It was the middle of the afternoon. I have a six, four, two-year-old and a newborn. Baby is napping. I want to Just. Lay. Down. That’s all. I admit it. I resorted to bribery. The girls (6 and 4) loved to play with makeup. The boy (2) just wanted to be near his sisters. I said, “who wants to play beauty parlor?”
I plop on the couch to screams of YES! and tell them to go get the makeup and a few towels. Mommy will be in the ‘beauty parlor chair” waiting. Feet propped up, head on a pillow, and eyes are already closed. We set the timer for 30 minutes. The alarm goes off in what seemed like five minutes and they are begging for 5 more minutes. How could I disappoint those sweet babies? After 45 minutes, I realized I have to get our WIC vouchers at the local Catholic church.
I jump, well, rolled actually, off the couch. I herded everyone in the van and off we went pulling into the parking lot with 20 minutes to spare! I greet people as I’m getting the kids out and moms look at me, then smile, and look away. We all file down the stairs and into the Parish hall. Again, we’re greeted with smiles and people were really making eye contact.
My prayer that morning was that every single person would see and feel the love of God through my actions. It seemed like it was working!
I sit down, kids finding places near me to sit or stand and neighbors that have never stopped to say hi or smile are really engaging with me. They are REALLY noticing a difference in MY life versus others. What an amazing mom! What an awesome God’s kid I am. What a testimony. I mean, people really can tell the difference!
We collect our WIC vouchers and pile in the van. I get in, start the van, and check my mirror before I pull out. And then I see myself. I have midnight blue eyeshadow applied to my cheeks and chin. Lipstick that is redder than you can imagine. Four different shades of colors on my eyelids, mascara generously applied to my eyelashes. And eyebrows. And glitter. On everything. I looked like a Barnum and Bailey circus act gone horribly wrong. People were not seeing the love of God through my countenance, they were seeing Maybelline by Toddlers!
Driving home, much more contrite than when I left, I realized the afternoon was a success. The kids got to enjoy being together, I got a nap and we made a memory for life.
Robin Gough-O’Brien strives to add value in every relationship, see God’s purpose in every activity, and embrace each moment of her days with joy and delight. With four adult children, her days are now spent creating a home for her wife and two dogs, working full time, and playing an active role on the board of the Sylvia Thomas Center for Adoptive and Foster Families.
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”
– John Wesley
