My new analogy for being a mom is being a mom is like being a scientist that specializes in Chaos Theory.
Chaos Theory holds that there is order in disorder...it is one of those theories that supports evolution and is controversial because it counters some other scientific lines of thought that are tried and tested. For example, if order can be found in disorder or chaos, then life could spontaneously be created on its own. Other schools of thought, including Christianity, refute such theories with other laws of physics (Newton's Second Law of Thermodynamics) saying that systems if left on their own will move from order to disorder (or chaos). Such thinking has always fascinated me. Chaos Theory for me is merely discovering God's intricate patterns in our world's complex systems...He is the reason those patterns exist. He is the only way order can exist in disorder...otherwise, I believe, Newton's discovery would prevail.
So a baby is a complex system of chaos and the parents are trying to discover order or patterns in God's tapestry! Moreover, my life has become more random and chaotic since the arrival of Rylyn. In this case, both Chaos Theory and the Second Law of Thermodynamics work together. Holy oxymoron. Which leads me to the question: does that mean I need divine intervention?
Here is an example of what I am talking about. Mommy is confidently ready to find order in disorder with her sleep patterns chart. She keeps track of baby's sleeping, eating, eliminations and activities for two weeks. Enough of that. Baby is healthy and a few generalized patterns have emerged. Mommy decides to simplify things by switching to using her nursing bracelet.
See image at:
http://www.mamanautrement.com/ee/images/uploads/photosgrandes/What_are_Milk_Bands_Page.JPG
A gift from Daddy in her stocking! Bracelet works well, helping Mommy to know when she last fed baby and to read baby's cues to make sure baby is really hungry. And now for total disorder...when tired Mommy turns into a zombie from midnight to 8 am and has no clue how many times she has feed baby or been up in the night. Good-bye hope of order, welcome chaos. I would say having no clue what is going on would be the definition of being in the state of chaos. Thanks for your service bracelet, a lot of help you were.
Funnily enough, I am still wearing such bracelet, because I like to think that there is some order to my life right now even if there isn't. So even if this bracelet serves no other purpose to lie to me and give me a false sense of control, then I guess it was worth the $6.99. Perhaps I can use the bracelet as a visual reminder that God is in control so I need not worry about "figuring things out" because I am going to be doing that for the rest of my life. Perhaps I need to look at this baby as less of a puzzle to solve and more of a rose to stop and smell.
I can tell you the one thing I have figured out. Rylyn won't eat when she is not hungry and won't be consoled by anything other when she is. Oh yes, and I am loving the chaos.
Bible Reflections
Psalm 46 (New King James Version)
Psalm 46
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.
1 God is our refuge and strength,A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
-God is there amidst our chaos. The chaos, like us, is His creation. For the chaos we give thanks. For refuge from it, we give thanks.
