We Were Not Made to Walk This Road Alone!

Chapter 2 in Hoodwinked: 10 Myths of Motherhood has the very first myth that they debunk.  The myth that mothering is natural, easy and instinctive.  And some days it is.  Those other days, well...  The quote that starts this chapter says "Mother is a verb, not a noun."


We are always in action.  I was laying in bed the other morning, thinking that I finally know why I don't want to get out of bed in the morning.  As long as I lay in my little haven, I can pretend that I don't have a to-do list that uses an entire forest of paper.  That the laundry isn't piling up, because I can't see it.  I don't have to think about food, because the kitchen is at the other end of the house.  But the minute my feet hit the floor...  Then it starts.  My day begins.  And it doesn't stop until I get back into that little haven.  And I have many beautiful moments mixed in with the to-do's. 

But juggling as those balls isn't instinctive.  Knowing the right words to soothe your little one's ouchies while not burning dinner is a skill I did not learn in home ec class. 

In this chapter, Ruth talks about how she had her dream of motherhood all planned out.  Except reality seemed to be the exact opposite.  And how "we don't come out of the womb hardwired with wisdom and experience.  We come into the world as foreigners who have to figure things out as we grow up."

Life isn't always natural, easy or instinctive.  Motherhood is part of life.  Yep, lightbulb moment right there.  Why should I have to feel each and every day that I am failing at something that is supposed to come so easily?  It shouldn't come so easy.  Anything that is worth it requires time, practice, sacrifice and effort.  My kids are worth the world to me.  Common sense would then dictate that it would require a lot of time, practice, sacrifice and effort.  And lots of prayer!

Ladies, if you have fallen prey to the myth that to be a good mom, you should be perfect at it right out of the gate, please stop.  We are not perfect.  You already know that there are no perfect people.  So why do we beat ourselves up trying to attain a goal that is never going to be realistic?

If you'd like to read more of my posts on this book, you can search in my search bar, or do what I did, and just buy your own copy!  :)

Heavenly Father, I lift up all of those parents who are exhausted.  Who are bone weary of trying to do it all.  Let them come to you, and be restored.  Refresh their perspective on your expectations and fill their hearts to overflowing with your love Lord.  In your mighty name.  Amen.

If any of you have a prayer request or would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment, I would love to be one of God's soldiers for you!

Another Year of Growth

So, at the beginning of this year, I decided that I would choose one word to focus one.  One word that, hopefully, by the end of the year, would be bountiful in my life.


Since the start of this year was a little difficult, I chose "peace".  I desperately want more peace on my life.  The kind of peace that I can draw on whenever life hands me those little challenges. 


And wow, has life been kind enough to hand me ample opportunities to desire that peace.  And I can certainly say that even though we are now passed the halfway point of this year, I still have a LOT of growing to do in this area.  My goodness, I never would have guessed that choosing something that seems so amazing, and something that I see so many other people have so effortlessly, could be so challenging.  I know that we fight change, but seriously, I want some peace people!!!


And I have also discovered that I'm pretty sure that the reason that I am struggling so much with peace is because God had picked out a completely different word for me.  Remember that whole "God laughs at our plans" saying?  Wow he must get daily chuckles from me.


Anyways, I have this overwhelming sense that the word he chose for me was "grace".  And those situations for me to show grace are flowing by the bucketful too, I assure you. 


But you know what else I've discovered about this word he is covering me with?  I am shown so much grace each and every day.  My children show it to me effortlessly, always willing to start over with Mommy when she's having a bad day. Or my husband, who, bless his soul, some days comes home to an over tired, over hormonal, crazy lady, and he just laughs and gives me a hug.


Or God, who is always willing to let me apologize, and He will hold my hand as I try harder tomorrow.  So maybe peace will be my word for next year.  Maybe this year, I will instead follow his lead and choose grace instead.



 As always, I would love to hear from you.  And if you have any prayer requests, I would be honored to lift your requests up in my daily prayers.  I may not have the answers, but I do have a willing shoulder.


 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9