I don’t think I’m a lazy person.  And I do think it’s “easy” for moms to be lazy.  There is just a ridiculous list of responsibilities that a stay-at-home mom has every day.  You got to be cook, maid, bathroom aide, wardrobe provider/stylist, barber, counselor & judge, librarian, chauffeur, nurse, playmate, a cow, and the one that encompasses them all, Mother.  Deciding to not wear one of those hats on any given day is easier done than said!  But in our daily struggles to stay motivated, God is always teaching us to overcome, to never settle, but to come up higher.  This is what I love about Him. 

In God’s Country, we have lots of snow, and I am not fond of letting the boys go outside to play.  It’s not so much that I’m afraid they will fall through a crevasse in the snow nor the fact that a coyote might come and steal them, although these two things are legitimate concerns.  It just takes way too much time and effort to get them bundled to go out.  Let me explain the grind:

– First, they would need to relieve themselves.  There is no way I am dressing them all up, if after 10 minutes, I have to peel it off for a potty break, and then dress them again…and then mop the house.
– Get dressed :  My kids are in PJs all day and night unless we go out.  And when we do, Micah insists on dressing himself, and he prides himself in putting everything on backwards and/or inside out.  From choosing an outfit to making the boys happy by having them match, it could take a while.
– Extra pair of long socks :  Whatever pants they are wearing gets tucked into the socks.
– Snow pants :  This is a water-proofing, snow-proofing necessity.
– Winter Boots :  These are high-tops and water-proof and they must fit a foot with double socks.  The boots should secure the tucked in pants from slipping out of the socks.  The inner layer of the snow pants with the rubber seam fits snugly over the boots.
– Winter Mittens :  We prefer mittens over gloves because they are much warmer.  Do you know how many times I need to readjust the mittens before getting their thumbs in the right slot?  
– Winter Coat :  This water-proof, insulated coat is hooded, zipped & buttoned, and the cinchable cuff velcro and wrap over mittens to hold them in place.
– Winter Hat/Scarf/Mask :  Regardless of what accessories we dress the boys in, they insist on matching…so we are often scrounging through our glove/mitten/hat/scarf tub.  If they decide to wear hats, they must also wear scarves.  If they go for their masks, then this is sufficient.  Their coat hoods go over their hats.
– Optional additions depending on how severe the weather and/or ezcema :  vasoline for their face, extra long johns under their clothes, and/or double mittens/gloves.

You think I’m ridiculous?  If a step is skipped, after one snow angel, we will hear complaints of being wet or cold.  With all that said, during the past few winters in the Great North, the times I’ve let the boys play in the snow are few and far between.  But I’m hoping this year will be different. 

I’m reading through Child Guidance again, and last week, I read the chapters called “The Book of Nature” and “Lessons from Nature”.  I should have known that I’d better get ready to make some changes.  Here are some points that spoke to me:

“The whole natural world is designed to be an interpreter of the things of God.”

“In the natural world God has placed in the hands of the children of men the key to unlock the treasure house of His Word.”

“The heart not yet hardened by contact with evil is quick to recognize the Presence that pervades all living things.  The ear as yet undulled by the world’s clamor is attentive to the Voice that speaks through nature’s utterances.”

” The glory of God is displayed in His handiwork.  Here are the mysteries that the mind will become strong in searching out.”

“Let the children learn to see in nature an expression of the love and the wisdom of God; …and all the events of life be a means of divine teaching.”

“Mothers…should not be so engrossed with the artificial and burdened with care that they cannot have time to educate their children from God’s great book of nature….  The character of God they may discern in His created works.”

These thoughts are remarkable.  We can trace every blade of grass, bird, animal, and tree that we see today back to the Garden of Eden where God spoke their original ancestor into existence.  Nature is a visible, tangible, audible link that we still have with our Creator.  Adam and Eve studied the mysteries of creation to learn more of God.  He still uses His creation to help us understand the character of God and His Word…even more so with children.  It will cause our minds to be strong.  It will teach us His wisdom.  It will cause us to hate sin.  It will make us love Him.  They are gifts!  And I shouldn’t be so engrossed with the artificial (indoors) and burdened with care that I don’t take my boys outside! 

I think it’s incredible how, despite all of the other burdens we carry, Jesus loves our children so much, that He doesn’t let up on us parents.  And being a Christian is a challenging journey.  There is always something new to learn and incorporate in our lives.  It also reminds me that time is running out.  We don’t have time to get comfortable.  Our children are growing before our very eyes, and the Lord is getting ready to return.  If taking an extra hour to take my boys outside will help them know Jesus more, I’m thinking it’s worth it.  Perhaps, I could just lose my mop hat altogether…or maybe I can just give it to Israel.