I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
               Sonya Contreras

A Day in a Mom's Life

Jeremiah's gemstones

Ever been asked as a mom, “What do you do with your day?” as if, you have nothing to do but sit around twiddling your thumbs and wondering what to do?
A day for a mother of toddlers is physically draining, while a day for a mother of teenagers is emotionally draining.
This might help you see.
It started about 5 AM. I slept in, feeling yucky and sluggish with a headache.
I almost missed seeing my husband leave for work. I spend two hours rotating water sprinklers, (Our pressure isn’t strong enough for all to work at the same time) while pushing laundry through its cycles (my washer doesn’t want to spin all the time), and making sure everyone who needs to leave is able to get in the bathroom.
James’s dog started to have her puppies. I directed Jeremiah to secure an area away from the older puppies we’re watching for another son, so they’d be safe when we leave.
I hurry my youngest along, so he’s ready to leave. (Every step must be reminded.)
Watching my two sons leave for community school, I silently pray they arrive safely and see a purpose for their classes. (Their stories of class time makes me wonder about their purpose too.)
We leave the house shortly after 7 AM.
Just as I leave, one son texted requesting me to find a special calculator for his class.
The hour trip seems less stressful listening to an audio story and talking to God.
We make a special trip to Office Depot. The calculator is out of stock. I’ll have to remember to order it when I get home, so I won’t have to make another trip to town.
We rush through Lowes for a door knob to keep the dogs from opening the back door.
We fly through Smart and Final for the groceries from that store for the month.
We won’t make it to Wineco and Costco before art class, so we’ll make another trip to town another day.
WalMart is our last stop. I help Joshua prepare for his hunting trip. His bow is ready, but he needs more food. There’s too many things that I could worry about his trip, but I push them to the back in my mind as I give them to God. Worry doesn’t protect him. But God will.
In WalMart, I receive a call.  One son is trying to skip a class at community college. He needs his transcripts.
Did we even make them? And where would I have put them? I tell him, “I’ll be home by 2.”
We hurry through the errands and arrive at art class, ready to sit and paint, or for me—maybe just sit. My youngest looks forward to class all week.
During class, my son with the puppies calls. He's returned home from his classes. The poor mother had eleven puppies and can’t make enough milk.
I promise to pick up milk-replacer and a bottle or two before I head up the hill. (I don’t want to make a special trip later.)

I try to relax as I paint but can only think of puppies starving and a son who must get his transcripts ASAP.

We finish art class. Good thing my son suggested drawing gem stones, so it doesn’t have to look like anything real. Because mine certainly doesn’t.
We chug up the hill, I consciously slow down so I don't speed and get a ticket (wouldn't be the first), unload groceries, cramming as much as I can into the house freezer. The freezer stuff has already sat in the hot car a long time during art class.
I remember the transcripts and search for them on my computer files. The computer freezes. As I wait for the screen to do something, I look through my hard-copy files for a miracle (maybe we have a printed copy). I find only a three-year transcript. Didn’t he need four years to get into college? I vaguely remember he started full-time without it. I call my husband for his memory. (I rarely call my husband at work—he’s in “work mode.” I call the front desk, because he won’t answer his phone and wait for him to come out of a room.) He calls back without finding them on his work computer.
In the meantime, my son calls about his transcript. He needs it by 3 PM for his counseling session.
I wonder why I feel like I’m putting out fires all day.
Pounding on my keyboard without response, I decide to change the batteries in the mouse, with no improvement; and wish my headache that started this morning would disappear.
I tried to hand-write his final year, but that looks tacky. I will scan what I have. It’s now 2:30. I feel more pressure. I scan but when I email it to him the printer spouts that “It can’t find the server.”
I look at the time. Yea, the internet shuts down to nothing at this time and there is nothing I can do it improve it.
My son suggests driving down the hill to meet him half-way.
I race down the windy cliff-sides, praying he won’t speed too fast on his motorcycle.
We meet.
I give the needed transcripts (I hope three years are enough.)
I retrace my way back home, more leisurely.
Swimming time (the every day 2 PM event) has come and gone, without swimming. No one asks to go…maybe they noticed how frantic I was to get the transcripts ready. If that's the case, that would be progress. But it's probably they are busy, that makes me wonder with what. . .
It’s too late to think of anything great . . . or good . . . for dinner.
While my throw-together meal cooks, I practice the piano a few minutes so I won’t embarrass myself (again) for the church offering (I’m substituting this month).
I watch my time, so I don’t burn dinner. (Which happens too frequently.)
I remember another son must have a sign for his church event this week. My computer is still slow, but I’m able to type now without the internet, so I make the sign and attach it to cardboard.
My son with the transcripts texts me that “He worked it out. He'll be home late.”
He often stays in the Valley to do his homework, since the internet doesn't work well here.
My husband comes home.
Dinner comes and goes. They praise my dinner, in spite of not-being-great. I wonder at their taste buds, but gratitude keeps grumbling away. For which I’m grateful.
I get a text from another son, who drove five hours north to visit someone. He “arrived, got rear-ended but is ok.”
I text back, “thanks, ok.” I want to call him, but know he’ll call when he can.
My husband reads a chapter of Proverbs for our devotions. I wonder where wisdom fits into my life. My thoughts aren't too coherent at this hour anyway. Maybe wisdom isn't for me after 8 PM.
We wind down for bedtime.
(I'm not sharing with you any of their deeper needs that press on my mind constantly. See It's Not My Story for why.)
Another day is finished.
Or so I thought.
I wake at 2 AM and take some headache medicine.
After searching the house and yard, I realize the motorcycle is not home yet and neither is my son.
I hate to wake my husband, but. . . .
My husband and I talk and pray. And wake the others for any possible text from him.
I do laundry, put away dishes, clean, until he returns after 3 AM repentant for causing concern.
Maybe now I can sleep.
Maybe that day is now over. Should I dare hope?

As I lay in bed I think, “How could I forget to order that calculator?”
At church someone asks what I did all week. I smile and say, “I was busy.”
What would you say?

The lesson?
If you are not carrying a steady conversation with God throughout your day, you will never survive motherhood.
"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Motherhood
Find other articles about motherhood
here:
What's a Mom?
Memories of a Hero Mom
They Called Her Gammy
Are You Tired of the Same, Old Thing?
Who's Responsible for the Children
The Battle for Our Children
​Dear Master of Hands
Close to Home
Reflections from a Mom
Just the Mother-In-Law
A Mom Who Knew Her Job
Letting Go of my Fourth Son
Making a House a Home
How Do I Pray?
Picking up Acorns
Changed by God
Last Times
Are You a Failure?
What To Do Now?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
What's in a Book, Anyway?
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
You Are Not Alone
A Wedding Remembered
Sunday Morning Excuses—Is It Worth It?
Stages of Parental Control
Homeschooling Myths Debunked
Seasons
Do You Know the Word?
Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
A Day in a Mom's Life
What Talents Are You Wasting as a Mom?
What Have I Learned as a Mom?
What's in It for Me?
Adoption—The Heart of God
The Making of a Man part 4
The Making of a Man part 3
The Making of a Man part 2
The Making of a Man
Are Your Children Safe from Bullying?
Are Your Children Safe from Child-napping and Sexual Abuse?
Are Your Children Safe?
The Value of Remembering
Marjorie Rutherford: A Testimony to God's Faithfulness
Marjorie Conrad: A Testimony to God's Trustworthiness
Starting School Again
Dependence or Independence?
Breast Milk Made Especially for Your Child
What Is Essential for Babies?
My Space, My Time, My Needs
What's a Mom?
A Mother's Influence
A Mother of Boys
Prepare for the Lord: Thoughts for Moms from Exodus 19

Faith
Find more articles about faith here:
Dear Faithful and Loyal Readers
Life Falling Apart? Try Gratitude
A Few Words about Marriage
When Suffering Gets Personal
What an Amazing God We Serve
Response to Healthy Gaming
How Miserable Are You? Are You Happy?
The Need for Meaning Even in Pain
Reminders of What's Important
God's Unmeasurable Love
A Quarter of a Century Spent for Our Country
What Were You Thinking?
Who Are You Watching?
Boundaries for a Better Life
God's Boundaries
Memories of a Hero Mom
The Ripple Effect
How Do We Think Like Jesus
Litany of a Waiting Woman
Ever Cook a Frog?
New Year's Reminders
They Galled Her Gammy
When God Speaks
A Russian Christmas Story
Be Thankful
Be Grateful
Are You Tired of the Same, Old Thing?
  (reprint)
Laughter—Why Laugh?
Mom
Are You Disturbed?
Unity of the Brothers
Encouragements To Declutter
Do You Have Too Much Stuff?
Too Much Stress
Getting Past the Noise—The Value of Silence
Are You Scatterbrained?
How Good Are You?
Looking for Something Good To Read?
A Cup of Cold Water
I Will Trust When I Cannot See
Encouragement—What Is It?
Being in God's Presence
"Einstein and the Professor"
When God Is Silent
Do You Crave Beauty?
Using Stories to Discipline
The Danger of the Wrong Story
Using Stories to Teach Lessons
God is in charge of the future
November Dare Joy Challenge
Ungratefulness
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude
Looking for Jesus
What Do Your Prayers Reflect?
Life's Little Pleasures
Daniel—Greatly Loved by God
Take Every Thought
Jars of Clay
What Do Your Words Reveal about Your Heart?
How Do You Get Strong Faith?
Too Busy for God's Word?
How Do You Think Like Jesus?
Reflections from a Mom
Pain—What's It Good For?
Why Marry?
Consider the Robin
One Life Who Made a Difference
What Day Are You Living In?
Interrupted by God
Is Jesus Really the Answer to Everything?
Are You Beat Up?
What's Your Hurry?
Are You a Manipulator?
Are You Salty?
Are You Condemned?
Trying to Understand?
Do You Expect Answers to Your Prayers?
Do You Eat Your Stress?
Need Focus?
Going through Trouble?
Immanuel—God with Us
Looking for a Relationship?
When God Says, "No!"
What Do You Do with Left-Overs?
How Great Is Your God?
Are You Needy?
How Do You See Sin?
What Do Your Words Mean?
Is Evil Overwhelming You?
Those Aha Moments
Is Your Soul Happy?
Are You Ignored?
Looking for the God Moment
Do You Know Truth from Almost Truth?
I Believe in Jesus—What Now?
Do You Have Your "Son"-Glasses On?
Less Is More
Singing His Praise
Are You Trying To Do It All?
What Do You Do with All These Prayer Requests?
Have a Problem?
Do You Know How to Pray?
Looking for God in Every Moment
Are You Receptive to God's Blessings?
Tell the Senate: Mothers Aren't Birthing People
Is Your Life Complicated?
How Do We Fight Evil?
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Giving Up or Taking Away
the Bible is simple
Are You a Dripping Faucet?
What's Your Testimony?
The Final Move
Be Careful What You Wish For!
Are Your Prayers Answered?
I Choose Joy
What Have You Learned from Your Hardship?
Who Are You Trying to Change?
What's Your Five-Year Plan?
The Danger of "Aloneness"
My Colors
Are You a Whiner?
Are Your Works Approved?
Do You Think You're Stressed?
Is Your Soul Feeling Ragged?
God Speaks to the Heart of the King
What about the Details?
Have You Felt the Long-Suffering of God?
How Does God Lead You?
Do You Have Enough?
Don't Carry More than You Need
Cast the Seed
God Is Faithful
Are You Deceived?
Are You Essential?
Are You Safe?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
Does the World Make Sense?
Have You Seen God's Majesty?
Do You Feel Judged?
If You Only Had One More Day To Live
Are You Understood?
Do You Long for the Word of God?
Slow Down and Smell the Dead Leaves
Are You Hospitable?
Our Heritage Is Bought by Blood
Are You Disturbed?
Are You Depressed?
I Did It My Way
Finding the Simple Life with Meaning
The Simple Life
Do You Have the Right Words?
Did Your Dream Die?
On the Other Side of the Fence
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
Saving for Tomorrow
A Wedding Remembered
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Are You a Protector or a Ruler?
Who Are You?
Are You an Image Bearer or a Wad of Cells?
Are You a Watchman?
Where Do You Find Meaning?
The Lamb of God as Told by a Scribe
What Love Is This?
Remember: The Symbols of Passover Explained
Tea and Rest
Do You Have Peace?
What Makes a Marriage Work?
When Life Is Awful
Are You Strong Enough?
Rules
Seasons
Be Faithful through Suffering
Do You Know the Word?
Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
Are You Spit in God's Mouth?
Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Do You Stand Against Satan Himself?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
What in the World Is Happening?
It's Not My Story
How Would Your Faith Compare?
Are You Sinking?
Are You a Rule Follower?
Useful for Him
An Intimate Moment with Mary
The Worldview that Makes the
   Underclass
Thoughts to Ponder
What Does It Take To Know the
    Heart of God?
See the Story in the Stars
Do the Scriptures Burn You?
Being in His Presence
Contentment: It's Not for the Timid
How Secure Are You?
How Do You Respond To Stupid People?
The Earthworm Is My Hero
Heart Issues or Issues of the Heart
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
More faith articles are found here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Or here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Articles on Suffering can be found  here, 

under Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Special Days
Remember: The Symbols of 
   Passover Explained    
Aug 12, 2017 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
July 4th, Freedom
What Is an American Soldier?
Valentine's Day: A Day of Love?
Memorial Day-A Day To Remember
Veterans' Day-To Honor Our Men
Fall Colors
First Thanksgiving Day
    Proclamation
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs, part 2