Adventures in MOPS

As I walked into the church lobby, I started to sweat. It wasn’t because it was warm out (goodness knows January in Chicago isn’t warm) and it was only partially because I was carrying two babies in their carrier car seats. Mostly, the sweat came from pure, unadulterated nervousness.

After living in our Chicago suburb for six months, three which had been spent caring for our newborn sons, I hardly knew anyone and had no real friends. I was tired, bored, and lonely. Though John had agreed to move back to Wisconsin in a few months, I knew I had to make friends, or at least meet people, if I was going to stay sane. I decided to try out MOPS, since at the very least, I knew I’d get a break from my kiddos.

I didn’t meet my new BFF that year but I did make enough friends that we changed our plans and stayed in the area. The next year, I made a few more friends, this time creating deeper bonds. By the third year of MOPS, I was leading the group and had made deep, life-long, life-changing friendships.

That’s why I love MOPS. Sure, the break from our kids is nice. So are the breakfasts and speakers. But we can find all of those things at a play group or a story time. The difference with MOPS is that we come together, as sisters, living life together. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Sisters, we are going to fall down and there are going to be days when we feel cold and overpowered. My prayer for each of you is that you find someone to walk with you—someone to come along and help you when times get though, and someone that you can help out too. God’s plan was never for us to walk alone. If you haven't found a MOPS group, do (mops.org). It honestly could change your life. Start walking with someone today. No mom left behind!

Adventures in Rhino Hunting

Okay, so I’m not really going big game hunting, though it would probably be easier than getting the boys to sleep.

A few months ago, George started waking up sobbing. When I’d ask him what was wrong, he’d tell me that he was scared of the rhino in his room. Patrick jumped on the bandwagon and started to tell me about hippos in their room (though he never woke up scared, so I think he was just trying to get some attention). Needless to say, our nights began to get a bit “zoo-y.”  

Over the past few months, we’ve tried everything to rid ourselves of these pesky rhinos. We’ve prayed, we’ve sprayed “Rhino Repellent,” we’ve yelled “Go back to the zoo, rhino!” For a short while, the rhino seemed to have gone away. However, the last two nights, our rhino infestation has begun again.

Here’s where I have a problem: there’s a fine line between genuine fear and nearly-three-year-old manipulation. How can I be a sensitive, supportive mom without becoming a pushover when it comes to bed time? I think this is one of those times I need to trust my MomSense and go with my gut: I think my boy is scared and needs extra love right now.

So far, we’ve got nothing that is consistently working. Each night we tackle our rhino issues in a different way. Last night, George slept with my pillow and I slept with his. Tonight, we sprayed a room spray and called it “keep away rhino spray.” Tomorrow night, who knows?

But there is one thing I do know. This time of “rhino hunting” will not be in vain. If nothing else, I want my boys to know that no matter when they’re scared and no matter what they’re scared of, they can always call on Jesus.

One of my closest friends shared the following verse with me as we’ve been going through this:

In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8

I pray that long after the rhinos have left, my boys will remember they are safe in the Lord.