humble, joy-filled, God-dependent mothering
One of my friends texted me the other day asking how I was doing with emotionally, if I was feeling the “Baby Blues”. I hadn’t taken time recently to think about it – too much has been going on!
Once I took the time to think, though, I realized that I am doing okay – if I’m not tired. When I’m tired my emotions rise to just below the surface and almost anything can cause tears or “shortness”. Especially when both babies are being needy at the same time.
I found this blog post this afternoon about mothering that really spoke to my heart and I wanted to share a part of it.
“Motherhood … laughs in the face of our competence and confidence we try so hard to feel and have in a society that tells us we can do anything we want and do it good.
Motherhood can make a wimp out of us. Out of me.
…Don’t make motherhood an idol. Or motherhood your identity. If you do, you have failed at the calling you think you have and the fruit you thought you would reap, will devastate you.
But the truth is, … when you get into it all, you find it just doesn’t mix with a self-seeking heart. … It’s easy to lose our hearts to the glitter of a self-important career and forget that there are hearts under our charge that need our unconditional love and acceptance and training — AND IT’S WORTH IT.
I want to RISE TO THE CHALLENGE to the hardest career I could have ever chosen. Yep, I will probably have to tell myself this each and everyday. Not because I don’t LOVE every single one of my children, and not because I don’t love motherhood, but because it’s hard. And though I typically love a good challenge, this motherhood stuff goes beyond that. I can’t do it without God.
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won’t You lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
-“Lead Me” by Sanctus Real “
It’s so true. Having Emma was an entirely new experience in relying on God, but it didn’t wear me out. Having Ian and Emma? It’s driving me to my knees.
I want to give them and John “the best of my life” but I can’t do it. Not by myself.
One thought on “humble, joy-filled, God-dependent mothering”
Thank you for this, Elizabeth! I’ve been “lurking” around your blog for about a year now; my husband and I were married shortly after you were, and we have a 15 1/2 month old daughter and are expecting a son this month (he’s due on Wednesday), so I feel like our lives are a bit paralleled at the moment. :-) Just wanted you to know that you have been an encouragement to me as I anticipate having two little ones to care for! Even being the oldest of twelve children isn’t nearly the same as motherhood…a whole different kind of grace and strength is needed. Blessings on you and your family!!! ~KD
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