Understanding the Assignment

I get a kick out of silly memes. They are such a simple reminder that the human experience is a shared one. We are all so much more alike than we are unalike. We do the same things and laugh at the same things and experience so many of the same things in the same ways. And I think it’s a hoot when some clever human makes a funny observation about this weird, wonderful, wacky life we all live. The funniest memes are usually the most simple and relatable.

Right now, there is a meme trend happening all about “understanding the assignment” - basically, when someone gets something really right or fills a role so perfectly. (It’s typically a collection of pictures from an actor’s various roles that highlights their acting range.)

This phrase came to mind when I was trying to process how I’ve been feeling lately. As a writer often does, I was processing by writing. Journaling is usually how I make sense of the world. God is so kind to meet me as I pour out my heart in messy scribbles and messier thoughts.

I’ve been tired lately. Brain tired, bone tired, just plain ol’ tired. One-and-a-half is an outrageously fun age but it is equally exhausting. If my child is awake, he is moving. And not only moving but taking apart everything everywhere. He’s learning and growing before my eyes, and seeing him explore is such a joy. And all that learning and growing and exploring means more messes than I ever knew one tiny human could possibly make in one day. While I’m doing one thing, he’s undoing three others. And, wow, those little legs are fast.

And as it happens when a human is tired, I lose focus. Frustration and irritation come more easily than patience and peace.

So with pen in hand, I set out to get some fresh perspective. And our sweet, heavenly, holy Teacher helped me to understand the assignment…

“Feeling so outrageously tired these days. Tedious tasks and constant clean-ups and non-stop noise and days so full of seemingly mundane and ‘meaningless’ things. It feels like my days are bursting at the seams, but when I go to bed at night, it feels like I’ve accomplished nothing.

This season of raising littles is unlike anything else. It’s so very humbling and requires a retraining of the brain. Giving new life and meaning - a fuller picture - of the definitions of… ‘meaningful’ and ‘accomplished.’ Seeing the tedious, mundane things as the important work and not as interruptions to be annoyed by and hastily taken care of.

Right now - the messes and the mealtimes and the clean-up after clean-up after clean-up and the clinging and the redirecting and the big emotions and opinions and the same. things. day… after day… after day - that’s the assignment.

Exhaustion is part of it. But frustration and annoyance and irritation don’t have to be. Those come when I believe the lie that all these things are keeping me from my assignment.

The repetition and the noise and the mess of parenting littles is not keeping me from what I’m supposed to be doing right now. THIS IS what I’m supposed to be doing right now. THIS IS THE ASSIGNMENT.”

I had started to believe that lie. The lie that told me to rush through every mess, every meal, every mudpie because the mundane was getting in the way of the meaningful. What an awful and awfully easy to believe lie straight from the one who exists to steal our joy and peace.

This is my assignment. And in this assignment; the meaningful, the miraculousness, and the magic are in the mundane, messy, and monotonous.

Whether our assignments in this season are the same or very different, we all get tired. And we all get weary when we start to see our assignment as an interruption to our “real, more meaningful assignment that’s somewhere behind all this junk that’s keeping me from getting to it.”

Perhaps you need fresh eyes, focus, and perspective, too? Take your weary self to the feet of our ever-present, all-knowing, patient, kind, perfect Teacher God. He will help you understand your assignment.

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That italicized section above is straight from my journal. I’m a firm believer in the truth that our stories are for us but not just for us. Part of our assignment as humans is to encourage one another by sharing whatever grace, joy, hope, peace, and love we have been given. The book I’m currently writing includes excerpts from journal entries written throughout our journey to our sweet boy. I’ve got all the feels about sharing the good, the bad, and the real ugly; but above all, I hope the words bring you hope.

For book updates and more words and hope and words about hope, I’d love to have you join me on Instagram (@ashajuneoh).