They’re a Team.

Let’s set the stage … 

It’s a night of worship at 7pm on a Friday. You have a 3 year old boy who just wants to dance and be outside and a 1 year old boy who skipped nap, is being weened and does not want to sit in one spot. You are a tired parent who just wants to praise God for the sleepiness … because it’s the result of beautiful answered prayers. 

That was me a few Fridays back. 

I was running on fumes to make it to the church and get some praise in and my children did not care that the tank was already on E. Once the music started, thankfully they both settled. Our boys love music and they love praising the Lord. Andrew held Cecil up high and I had Ellis strapped on with a carrier. It felt like my soul was getting the fuel up it so desperately needed.

BUT with kids that all changes in an instance.

Half way through the night, Pastor Gabe got up to pray, and the spirit was moving, It turned from prayer to mini sermon to prayer again. My kids got restless. One by one parents started exiting. But I was being stubborn. I had been craving this night of worship all week, so I was hoping to wait out my kids with a snack.

Fruit Bars - Gone in a blink of an eye! & Pastor Gabe is still on stage.

Juice Boxes - Did they even taste them? & Pastor Gabe is still on stage.

Granola Bites - Inhaled so quickly we didn’t even have crumbs! & Pastor Gabe is still on stage.

I was down to my last option. Pouches. I was starting to stress because we were in the middle of a row and Ellis drinks pouches as fast as he drinks milk. Ellis finished his pouches and wanted his older brothers. Before we saw it, there was an epic snatch. Cecil cried for his pouch and his big brother inadvertently slung veggie applesauce all over us. I could feel my heart race, my blood pressure rise and the embarrassment seep in as my cheeks turned red.

& then I heard, “Wow, they’re a team!”

See, I wasn’t alone in this moment, while it felt humiliating for me and I worried about the opinions or experiences of others, my husband was patiently standing by focusing on his family. A second after I was splattered with applesauce a back up bottle was in the babies hand and a wet wipe was in mine. Andrew was prepared. He had my back in an instant. & God was prepared too. In a moment where anxiety was creeping in and I was worried about others more than the message, God used the kind words of a stranger to remind me I wasn’t alone.

Andrew and I are a team - a team intentionally bonded together by God.

To date, this has been one of the most impactful compliments I have ever received in my marriage, and I don’t even think it was intended for us to hear. In fact, I don’t even know which woman behind us said it. But it was a call to remember the strength in a team.

I am so thankful for my husband, and I am so thankful that parenting is teamwork in our home.

I have to admit, when life gets busy or things get tough I tend to just try and do everything on my own or figure it out myself instead of remembering God gave me a teammate ready to be called in and ready to help save the day. When I heard this reminder we had been just getting through a chaotic start to our year. I think God used this moment to show me that I was feeling so Empty coming into the night of worship because I hadn’t been calling on my teammate for help.

& That’s the goodness of God. He uses the littlest moments for the biggest reminders.

Since this night, Andrew and I have been more focused on worship time together and planning time together. I don’t feel as drained as I did and I feel more content in the chaos because I’m intentionally giving him the opportunity to have my back. I struggle with control, but marriage and parenting isn’t about control. It’s more about balance. & I am so thankful for my teammate helping me to keep things balanced.

God never intended for us to be alone. He never created us to be isolated. He gave us community, marriage, and family. There are going to be messes in sermons or other instances in life that will be much easier with teamwork. Don’t be too prideful to use their help. Part of discipleship is living like Jesus and that means we have to humbly admit we need help in the chaos or grace through the bumpy times.

Praise God for teamwork.

& Go home home and give your teammate the love and gratitude they deserve!

God’s Love & Mine,

Christina