Last week, some friends and I went to see the movie Moms’ Night Out. {I HIGHLY recommend you do the same!} Moms across the country have been raving about this movie since it came out Mother’s Day weekend. I had to see what all the fuss was about, and after another manic Monday, I desperately needed a night out. So I threw on some clean clothes, grabbed a sweatshirt, and met some girlfriends at the closest theater for the 7:00 showing. (Let’s be real – that would be pushing my bedtime by the time it got out!)
I was prepared for laughs and a few “aw” moments. What I wasn’t prepared for was a revelation.
**SPOILER ALERT** I will very briefly talk about the movie, but I do not plan to give away any major plot twists. If you don’t want to hear anything more than what the previews showed, I’d advise you to stop reading.
In the movie, the main character desperately needs a moms’ night out. Towards the end of her night out, she has a breakdown. She admits that she feels she isn’t enough. To which another character responds,
For who? Enough for who?
I started crying. It completely hit home with me. Who am I not enough for? My husband? He thinks I’m the best there is. That’s why he chose me. My firstborn? She continually asks my advice on things (whether she takes it or not is a different story). She is always wondering what I am up to. My middle child? She draws out bedtime the longest, because it’s our special time to snuggle, pray, and talk about our days. Her attitude rises and falls with me. My baby boy? I am his whole world, and some days, he is mine, and that’s enough.
The only person I am not enough for is myself. I am the only one who thinks the house is too messy. The only one who can’t stand a sink full of dishes. The only one who asks, “Did you like it?” after dinner. The only one who doesn’t see something beautiful in the mirror each day. As moms, we put entirely too much pressure on ourselves to be the best, to be everything to everyone, to have it all together and to never let our weaknesses show.
We are enough for these tiny humans. We have sustained them in our wombs and in our hearts. We have helped them learn to sleep, eat, function, and thrive. We have grown with them as they’ve taken on new things. We have provided love, comfort, meals, entertainment… the list is endless. We are enough for them. They will never remember the dirty dishes, mom’s fashion or hair, the newest toy, if their meals were homemade…. They will remember that Mom laughed, hugged, kissed, tucked them in, kept her promises, helped at school, and made memories with them.
I am taking on a new mantra: I am enough. And on the days I’m not, Jesus is.
Have you seen Moms’ Night Out? What did you think of it?
Word! 🙂