That’s Not In My Job Description

Being a mother, I don’t get listened to that often. In fact, I find I have to repeat myself, usually louder and louder, just to be heard. I won’t even mention being acknowledged for my thoughts, as that just doesn’t happen.

Before I was a mother, while in school and working outside of the home, I believe my insights were fairly well received. I think on occasion people might even have enjoyed hearing what I had to say. But for three plus years now, I’ve been playing to a very tough crowd. I pitch my best ideas and get nothing!

Last night I attended a planning meeting for our Church’s Enrichment board. Enrichment is quarterly meeting for the women in our Church where different topics are discussed, skills learned, and/or food shared. Earlier this year I was called to serve on the board that organizes these meetings. Hence my attendance last night.

By attending the planning session, I was merely fulfilling my calling. I felt rather impartial about it truthfully. I don’t mind being on the Enrichment board, but I had a headache last night on top of the fact that I’m so very pregnant. That put my attendance more in the duty rather than the pleasure category. But a funny thing happened…

I was listened to.

There were five other women at the meeting. We took turns sharing ideas. We made comments and suggestions, adding to or reinforcing others’ suggestions. I was able to contribute an idea for a dinner dish, the decorations that we’ll use and the take-home handout that will given to each in attendance. At one point, one of the sisters actually praised me for my creative thinking. That is something that hasn’t happened in a very long time. And it felt really good.

It felt good, for an hour and a half, to be in a place where my opinion mattered. Where I was listened to. Because as a mother, that’s not exactly in my job description.