Yesterday afternoon, while our girls were at a Christmas party, a friend and I spent some time together and had a lovely and refreshing visit. We are within a couple years of one another and we each have 10 children (does that sound peer dependent, or what?), so we enjoyed both commiserating with and encouraging one another, having many of the same experiences at this stage of life.

One of the struggles we both have had is sleep deprivation. It’s not hard to fall exhausted into bed when you have had a busy day, but it’s not easy to fall back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night and your brain starts to mull over all the things that you need to do or all the concerns that crowd your mind about your children, or world affairs. I have learned to use that time to pray, pray, pray, and I am grateful for the quiet hours to do that, but I still find myself dragging and occasionally incoherent during the daylight hours when I would like to be sharper. Having adult children who still need a mother to talk to, and small children who are still supposed to act like children, whom I would like to become responsible and godly adults, which requires much time and energy, is a draining joy that I cherish, but not many can relate to the unique experience of mothering such a wide variety of ages. Some days make me think of the line in “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” about how “sorrow and love flow mingled down”; a mother knows well how the sacrifices of her love are gladly given, but not without cost. It’s a small reminder of the privilege of sharing the suffering of our Lord and understanding just how great His sacrifice was for us, and how great His love.

The other day I read a George Herbert poem to my children which gave me comfort about the lack of rest and more resolve to fight against complaining—to myself and to my family, and especially to God—when I don’t get the sleep I would like. At first, I didn’t notice the meaning of the title, but as I type this, I am impressed with the picture of restlessness as a “pulley” drawing us toward God.

The Pulley
by George Herbert

When God at first made Man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
“Let Us” (said He) “pour on him all we can;
Let the world’s riches, which disperséd lie,
Contract into a span.”

So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure.
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that, alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.

“For if I should” (said He)
“Bestow this jewel also on My creature,
He would adore My gifts instead of Me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature;
So both should losers be.

“Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to My Breast.”

Many of us are blessed to be married to men with chests…men who protect and cherish us and our families. This kind of man is becoming an anomaly in a culture which celebrates androgyny and is embarrassed by the differences with which God created men and women and intends for us to live. A God-hating society will reject that design and call good what is perverse, calling evil the masculinity of men and femininity of women.

One shining example of the beauty of God’s design for marriage and for men and women is the Chancey family. Both Matt and Jennie exemplify the joy of a union that glories in the complementary differences of a husband and wife. Jennie has beautifully honored her husband by nominating him for the Old Spice Man of the Year. If he wins, the cash prize will be donated to Persecution Project, a ministry to Africa which our family has supported for several years. The winner is chosen by online voting. I hope you will take the time to go to this site and cast a vote for Matt and for godly manhood. Read Jennie’s warm tribute to her husband and think about how you can honor and encourage your husband, too.

The contest ends tomorrow.

R.C. writes about the contest here (and about the nasty character assassination against a godly man and his godly wife for their bold stand for the distinctions I mention above).

Kim and Perry write more about Matt here. Thanks to them for this button.

I bought a couple of Christmas CDs the other day, and after I’ve listened to them a few times I may tell you what they are, if I like them. I took a chance. Has anyone bought any new Christmas “albums” this year they particularly like? Do tell.