I never really believe this is true, but I have had desperate moments as a stay-at-home-mom when I've wondered, "is anything really being accomplished here? Am I making any progress throughout the day, or is my life (our lives) like a broken record stuck on repeat?" When in doubt, remind yourself of these wonderful truths:
1. The Lord is working in and through you to carry out His good purposes for your life and for the lives of your believing children! He is! In the midst of the mundane, ALL things are working together for His glory and our good!
2. Progress is being made! Recently, when I was in one of these aforementioned funks, wanting tangible evidence that my daily labors were not in vain, I happened upon some photos and video footage of my second child's birth day. In addition to being convinced that I loved that day and babies so much that I want at least six more, it hit me that lots has been accomplished since I first held him in my arms. He is now a healthy and joyful 2 1/2 year old who is walking (running most of the time), talking, thinking, feeling and doing any number of things that I couldn't imagine him doing 2 1/2 years ago. All the meals, laundry, discipline, stories and hugs mattered. These basic tasks that I more often considered routine - and even burdensome at times - were essential to his overall development and well-being. The Lord has supplied me with all that I need to care for him and I praise Him for it!
3. Write it down. Another way to give yourself a little boost and recognize that goals are being met and tasks are being accomplished, is to write down all that you did at the end of any given day. Do not skip a diaper changed, a meal served, a laundry load washed, dried, folded and put away, a spill mopped, a time-out administered, a story read, a closet organized, etc., etc.. Don't see the list as just a motivator to add more to it, or mentally cut and paste for tomorrow, but know that, while these tasks are probably won't make the cut for your resume, you have done so many necessary things that all of the other members of your family are depending on for their well-being and even survival!
