In the Bible we read about how the people of Israel escaped from slavery in Egypt. Their former rulers valued the Israelites lives so little that the Egyptian Pharaoh ordered the massacre of all the male children born. When this tidy plan didn’t work it was decided to work the Israelites into the ground making bricks for various building projects. The prophet Moses was sent and after the ensuing plagues the children of Israel were allowed to leave Egypt.
Once the Israelites had escaped Egypt another problem arose, where to find food and water. The Lord provided both as needed. The most notable miracle was that manna appeared on the ground as dew every morning. Manna was a simple food prepared in a simple way. It was gathered in the morning and ground into flour. The flour was used to make cakes. This was the staple of the Israelite’s diet for 40 years.
A couple of months into their journey the Israelites declared to Moses that they would rather be in Egypt. What triggered their desire to return to tyranny and slavery? What would induce you to return to such a place and way of living? For the Israelites it was simply the desire for other food than the miraculous manna the Lord had provided. They said to Moses,
“…Who shall give us flesh to eat?
We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” Numbers 11:4-6
The Lord’s response is rather humorous and a great caution to us when we go lusting after the flesh pots,
“…Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the Lord, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the Lord will give you flesh, and ye shall eat.
Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days;
But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you:” Numbers 11:18-19
The Lords threat was not an idle one. A three feet deep pile of quail landed over the Israelite camp. As those of the people of Israel who lusted for meat dined a plague struck and killed those who ate.
I find a great metaphor for motherhood in this story and the calling for mothers to be at home with their children whenever possible. Manna was a daily miracle, so simple and plain it became unappreciated. Manna changed in the people of Israel’s eyes from a miracle to a mundane unwanted part of their lives because they forgot it was a miracle. Children are like manna. We bring them into this world with excitement and hail them as a piece of heaven. The task before us is to appreciate every day with them as a miracle putting our best self into each day. Our part in caring for children is often repetitive, simple and can seem very mundane. If we forget the miracle of motherhood and who sent us our little ones we can become like the children of Israel, “Our soul is dried away, there is nothing at all, besides these children before our eyes”.
When we feel like this the temptation is to put motherhood on the back burner because it seems too boring or mundane. The world tells women, “Go to work, get away from that awful manna, the slavery of motherhood. Return to Egypt with it’s variety, other people to talk to, work that actually seems done, self fulfillment and praises, honor and success.” Yet it is all a lie, because Egypt really wasn’t all about meat and cucumbers or onions and leeks, it was about slavery. Choosing to work outside the home full time because the manna is too boring isn’t about success or honor it is selfish. Just like the quail, our selfishness might cover our lives with three feet of distraction. As we eagerly partake we will find instead of satisfaction and fulfillment we now have a plague called guilt.
There are other reasons why women work outside the home and spend time away from their children. As women when considering pursuing these avenues for whatever reasons arise it is best to include the Lord in our plans. When we know we choose what was right our confidence can be strong before the Lord and the blessings we need will follow.
Thankfully this past month has not been filled with clouds and rain entirely and we have been able to get out for sunshine and exercise when there hasn’t been a sick child in the house (which was rare). One day I noticed the wind was picking up so we headed outside to try out our new kite. Last year I bought an expensive cool looking kite that wouldn’t fly unless you were in a hurricane so we got a simple more kid friendly one for this year. It was still gusty but Marie managed to figure out how to keep the kite up in the air pretty well. 
It was enough work that she actually got tired of running and pulling the string taut, which I as her kite helper thought would not happen. We all enjoyed the experience and hopefully we will have many more times to fly our new kite.
On another note a kind co-worker gave Shane her old school desk. We moved it into the kitchen to see if it would fit. The children LOVED it. In fact Oliver wouldn’t get off the seat for quite a while. However since there were three children and only one desk space we added a spare end table in front of the bench that had no desk. Marie claimed this space as hers since Oliver wouldn’t move. A day later I moved the other end table so Peter would have his own space and not bother the other kids. They have had so much fun drawing for hours on their own space and playing under it as a boat and a train. I have loved it because now their crayons and papers don’t have to be cleaned up before I make lunch or dinner…that and the fact they will draw and squeal at each others drawings and silliness for hours on end at times.
For all those Mothers slogging through the difficult times with lots of little ones at home, it gets better, your children will sleep through the night and eventually play with each other with out fighting…most of the time.
