As I have entered my third trimester of pregnancy while also parenting three little ones, one of my hardest jobs has been learning my limitations. I’ve found myself giggling as people ask, “So are you taking some time to put your feet up?” It’s an idea that’s hard for me to even imagine. Yet as I try during nap time to squeeze in just one game of what can I pick up off the floor just by using my toes since I can’t bend over anymore, I am learning my body can’t keep going at the frantic pace that has been my normal life and I have to accept there are some things I can’t do.
I’ve been thankful to have two excellent little teachers on this topic. Just this last week my two year-old son looked at the mug I carry around with me in the mornings and said, “Mommy! Coffee!” with such excitement and then with sadness declared himself, “too tiny”. A coffeeless childhood is a limitation I have placed on my kids and as disappointing as it is, they have learned to accept it as for their good. I couldn’t keep myself from laughing a few months ago as I watched Josh really getting into building with some Duplo blocks. I said to him, “You’re doing great with those! Maybe it’s time for us to buy you some Legos” to which he answered, “No, I’d probably just put them in my mouth and choke on them.” Now there is a boy who knows his limitations!
We can put such a high value on not accepting limitations, pressing past them and not wanting to believe that we can’t do everything we want to do. I am learning that my limitations can be God’s gift to me as I accept that rest is good for me, take comfort in His strength instead of my own, and then experience the joy that follows.