"You Don't Have to Move the Piano By Yourself"

We talked about this in church today. Although the main point of it was focused on callings and the importance of them and performing them to your fullest, I received another message along with the one that was intended.

I have been somewhat overwhelmed lately with the thought of having another baby in the next two months. I've been asking myself and wondering "How am I possibly going to do this?" Obviously it's a little late now, but I can't help but worrying about my ability to mother five children that are all in much need of care and teaching and guidance and love and so on. So the thought came to me that my piano at this point is raising my children, and that I don't have to do it by myself. I can and should and need to let others help me. Others like my husband, my own kids, my neighbors, my friends, my parents and other family members, ward members, and really, anyone who is willing to help, but most importantly, my Heavenly Father. For it is His help that will guide me in the most important ways to do the things that I must do in order to raise these precious children of His.

These thoughts also brought to mind an email that I received from a BOM that expressed some of the things that she is grateful for as a mother. I thought I would share some of that with you.

*Thanks for girls nights, understanding strangers and real moms/friends

*A woman at the grocery store who returned my cart, or the man who let me get in front of him in the checkout line. Those little things mean so much...

*More than anything, I'm particularly grateful this year for real friends. I've always heard that it takes a village to raise a child, but what I didn't realize was that it also takes an army of strong, compasionate women to raise a mother.These are the women who get up before dawn to run/workout with me because they know it's good for my sanity and my body, or who stop by with CHOCOLATE for no reason. These amazing women are there to babysit when I'm in a bind, schedule playdates when I'm bored and listen to me vent when I'm done ripping up the useless parenting magazine that says I should make my own scrapbook paper out of twine and toilet paper while looking beautiful with my equally gorgeous children laughing and rolling around on white carpet. So, 'thanks' to all the wonderful women in my life who are helping me in so may little ways as I navigate the ups and downs of motherhood. I couldn't do it alone.

Thanks, Shala, for sharing with us, and for allowing others to help you in your quest, lifting your piano, and being the amazing mother that I know you are.

Let us all be there to help lift the pianos of other mothers in need, and also be willing to let others help us. We might be able to do it alone, but the load will be so much lighter if we accept some help along the way.