A Part of Me is Missing…

I often feel like now that I’m “mom,” a part of who I am is sleeping, a part of me is missing almost. Like there’s a longing and a part of me that doesn’t come out because I’m caught up in laundry, dishes, cooking, and picking up toys. Maybe you feel this way too.

Recently my aunt called just to talk.

She was tired of being alone during the coronavirus distancing measures. I could tell she enjoyed having someone to talk to. (So did I.)

This day we spent an hour talking about everything from kids, being stuck at home, investing, the right CBD for her knees, and the Bible.

Since I’ve been to seminary, I’m usually the resident “Ask Her” person for my close knit group of family and friends. This is the part of me I sometimes feel is missing or at least underutilized.

So it felt good to be asked about that part of my life. It felt good to engage in topics I don’t get to talk about much anymore (especially since my husband is a priest and people usually ask him.)

My aunt wanted to know if I believed we should read the Bible literally.

Now, I know enough to know this is a loaded question.

But I like that she’s thinking about God and asking questions about her faith.

Maybe you have an aunt or family member who truly wants to know what you think on a topic.

You may not agree but you respect each other enough to listen and share.

Well, this conversation went well.

We talked about Genesis and the creation narrative.

We talked about the 3 views on how to interpret Genesis:

1. The Literal (7 days) View
2. The Day-age (7 ages–think long-time evolutionary theory) View
3. And the Framework View, of which I am convinced.

Then, we talked about Revelation and the end times amidst this coronavirus outbreak, whether this was the end or whether Revelation is meant to be apocalyptic and contain metaphors about our current times.

On the whole it was great to have someone ask about me and my thoughts.

I’m sure you can empathize if most of your day to day interactions involve your kids!

It’s been a change (as a stay-at-home-mom) to not be “working” in the areas I’ve studied. I don’t have a position at a church. I do still “work.” And I do lots of it, just at home and with the kids.

Side note: I’m loving the meme that says, now that we’re in the pandemic, no one will ever ask a stay-at-home-mom what she does all day.

But I digress, it was great to be reminded that there’s someone out there who knows me and remembers a fuller version of who I am. (Hint: I’m not just “Mom!”)

So that part of me that’s missing isn’t really missing it all. It just needs to be used and to find someone who knows me that way.

Have you felt like a part of you is missing? Do you have someone who delights in you and remembers what you love?

Seek out that person this week. Make a phone or zoom date. Connect with them and be reminded of that part of you that lies dormant at times. Don’t let important parts of you go missing.

What’s a part of you that you feel is missing or dormant? What’s a step you can take this week to reengage that part of you? Comment below.