Groundhog Day | A Day In the Life

Not sure how many would remember but back in the 90s there was a movie starring Bill Murray called "Groundhog Day". For those unfamiliar with it, the basic gist was this guy (Bill Murray) woke up everyday and it was always the same day: Groundhog Day, and he experienced the same things, the same people, the same situations day after day after day after day. It's hilarious and everyone should watch it.

I guess it sounds kind of boring from my explanation... but there was a point and a plot to it as well, I promise. 

I was thinking the other day as Lucy handed me the same book for the 456th time and said "What's that?" despite knowing full well what it was because I, in detail, had explained what it was 455 times prior... but still the question remained "what's that"...

I digress

So as she did that I thought... I feel like that character... I am Bill Murray and this is Groundhog Day. I am in a perpetual cycle of the same thing every day.

I remember this feeling being strongest when I first was home with Lucy... it was eat, wake, sleep. The same cycle. Every Day. All Day. I dreaded going to bed at night sometimes because I knew what awaited me in the morning:

wake up at 7. 

Get a cup of coffee and a Belvita

Nurse Lucy

Put Lucy down for a nap

struggle all day to get her to nap. 

the end. 

every.stinkin.day.

It was the same

And I thought I would go crazy. 

While life has gotten easier in some aspects it does still have some remnants of that feeling. There isn't much spontaneity or change.

We have a routine. We have a schedule and we do pretty much the same things each day, with some variety, but not much... like maybe we'll go in the pool for outside play time or... maybe we'll go to the park!! 

But really... the days are the same. 

Lucy's life is predictable

My life is predictable

Like Bill Murray, who wakes up to the same radio show and looks out the window and sees the same people walking. I wake up to Lucy's adorable chatter, I pour myself some coffee, I get her up, give her breakfast, tell her no, ask her to say "please", tell her no, discipline her, read her a book, read her 15 more books, tell her no, chase her, hold her, kiss her, feed her, tell her no... and so goes the morning and then the afternoon and the evening until the day is done. 

Guilty

As I'm writing these thoughts out I am realizing it sounds a bit familiar...

The book of Ecclesiastes comes to mind.
 

   "'Meaningless! Meaningless!'

   says the teacher

    'utterly meaningless!

   What does man gain from all his labor

   at which he toils under the sun?

    Generations come and generations go, 

   but the earth remains forever.'"

Eccelsiastes 1:1-4

If you aren't familiar... Solomon goes on, and on and on for chapters about the monotony and the meaningless of it all! I mean check out these verses from chapter 9:

 "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, 

all the days of this meaningless life that 

God has given you under the sun -- 

all your meaningless days. 

For this is your lot in life and in your

toilsome labor under the sun"

Wow. 

Inspirational. 

Anyone want to put that verse in their Best Man speech? 

hashtag noapplaus

hashtag uttersilence

Solomon was a wise, wise man who had the best of the best and the most of everything... and this is his take on life. 

Yikes. 

No wonder little old me, spending the days with my toddler, sounds a bit similar and quite ridiculous in my outlook of life in this season. I'm no Solomon, but not much has changed over the centuries. 

Bill Murray also touches on this in "Groundhog Day"

Phil: "You want a prediction about the weather, you're asking the wrong Phil. I'll give you a winter prediction: It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be grey and it's gonna last you the rest of your life. "

Solomon and Phil have more in common than one might think at first. ;) 

I was humbled a bit today and reminded that monotony is not unique to a stay-at-home mom. 

Today would have been my first day back at school with students and I've been struggling for most of the day with the realization that my entire purpose and role in life has shifted.

I went in to school for a bit this morning and was quite nostalgic and sad; longing for the variety and spice of a school day. 

That's right... I said "the spice of a school day". That is how deep into Groundhog Day I've been feeling! 

But I was reminded that even that becomes mundane and monotonous. 

Our lives are just like that. 

Sometimes Repetive. 

Sometimes boring. 

Sometimes enough to make ya crazy. 

I recognize that. 

Solomon recognized that. 

BUT

Solomon comes to an important conclusion: 

"Fear God and keep his commandments, 

for this is the whole duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, 

including every hidden thing, 

whether it is good or evil"

12:13-14

So amidst my Ground-Hog-Day feelings this verse will be sticky-noted to my mirror and this reminder stuck to my mind:

The monotony would be present no matter what the calling. 

But THIS monotony IS my calling. 

So buck up, Melissa, and Fear God and keep his commandments while doing the same thing every day. God will bring every deed into judgment big or small, boring or exciting, right or wrong. 

Sorry... giving myself that little chastisement! 

God gives it meaning.
Our obedience and service to Him give it meaning.
This face and her daily growth and development by God's hand give it meaning.

Sinfulness would always find a reason to be bored or complain in ANY circumstance.

I did leave school longing for that change of scenery that going back to school would have brought. But I went and got Lucy and brought her home and sat across from her as she refused (for the hundredth time) to eat the fruit I had for her... and I thanked God for this job.

And asked Him, if He would, to keep it spicy every so often! 
hashtag sizzle 

Hopefully your days are filled with variety, spice and a new excitement around every corner.
But if you are like me, feeling a bit like you are stuck on repeat, I hope these words encourage you!