Tuesday, August 30, 2011

calling all moms of motherhood.

i was sitting around the table at my moms group planning meeting.
i was the 'new girl' so mostly i was just observing and listening to
what the 'other moms' had to say.
the ones who had been a part of the moms group ministry for years.

one mom shared how she really struggled when she couldn't breastfeed her baby.
she had tried so hard.  she was a 'naturalist' in all things.
so imagine what guilt and shame she put on herself as she was unable to feed her baby
the way she deeply desired
and imagine what guilt and shame was piled up
as (she sadly shared) other moms in the group cast judgment on her by their words.
"REALLY?  are you SURE you can't breastfeed?"
(ouch)

one mom shared how she was an artist and loved to travel.
she never imagined having kids....
only a life of charcoal paints, blank canvas, and a passport in hand.
then reality set in and this mom had one child.  and then two.
she desperately needed this moms group to remind her
of what she was doing in the first place:
MOTHERING?! 
it's just so much more than she even wanted in the first place
and it was certainly more selfless than she had ever imagined it would be
and seemingly gone are her dreams of creating
when all she can manage each day
is to get her two year old to cease the temper tantrums
and get her baby to stop crying

mercy.

(sweet notes in the mail.....)

we all nodded silently as these women shared their hearts.
i wonder if you've been there, too?
it's funny how we can all have our own stories
but the themes are often the same.


discouragement.
second guessing your motherhood because of something someone said.
being overwhelmed.
dreams......put on hold.
for so long at times that maybe it seems they've vanished completely?

this is one of those posts that my fingers can't get the words out quickly enough
(and i'm a fast typer!)

MOMS!

let's encourage each other.
spread Jesus' love to the other moms around us
who may be struggling with insecurity we're completely unaware of.

let's bite our tongues
instead of sharing our unwanted opinions
on things such as feeding our children...

let's show the love of Jesus
and His love is free of guilt
(including 'mommy guilt'!)

His love takes our overwheming days of mommyhood
and gives us hope
hope that tomorrow will be better
and His strength is always sufficient
(yes, even in those sleepless nights.......)


isaiah 40 : 28-31
do you now know? have you now heard?
the Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
even youths grow tired and weary
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength
they will soar on wings like eagles
they will run and now grow weary
they will walk and not be faint.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
don't you just love how God's Word can speak to your heart
in all seasons of life?
(i used to think these verses applied to my college all-nighter finals days......
now i know they clearly are all about the minute-by-minute mommyhood days i'm in now,
and i'm pretty sure these verses will take on a whole new meaning when i'm in my 70's!).....
(beautiful find at the farmers market)

have a super (encouraging!) tuesday, everyone!



linking up with jami!

14 comments:

  1. Laurie, I love this post so much. I don't know why we as mothers doubt ourselves so much. It is always so nice to have another mother come beside you with encouragement rather than judgement.

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  2. Ahhh...you just get to the heart of things friend! I always fear I am ruining my children and single-handedly sendig them to therapy when they are adults. The reality? I'm a mommy finding my way through parenthood and making mistakes. I too have felt the sting of judgement...and I'm sure I have been the judger a time or two. Such a good reminder to extend grace, mercy and encouragement during this season of life!

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  3. i'm right there with you. i feel like this mom world can be TOUGH STUFF. and a lot of people don't like to talk about their hard things for fear of judgement. thanks for sharing.

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  4. GREAT POST.
    you got it. we need to encourage each other! i often feel like i have to say evey single thing i know about anything i know about. lately though, i'm learning to think first. is this helpful? is this necessary? from being hurt by others, the lord is teaching ME to shut up:)
    lord, help me to benefit others and allow them to benefit me! xo

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  5. That's exactly why I'm such a huge fan of my mops group. encouragement is one of those few things that helped me get through the baby stage! i think we need to be extremely thoughtful before we speak. everything always sounds judgmental when you haven't had much sleep because of babies!

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  6. This is such a wonderful post. Thank you!

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  7. I love this post, Laurie. I think we all have bad days where we think we are doing bad mothering know matter who u are. I guess we just need to pray & trust that God will take care of the rest.

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  8. Aww. This one is a good one. Brought tears to my eyes because Mom guilt/Mom judgement is such a common part of motherhood. It's sad isn't it? That verse I had hanging in my bathroom for all the years my husband was in residency. And I thought those would be the hardest years ever. Hmm. Love love that verse and your encouragement!! xoxo

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  9. Loved this and I LOVE the name of you blog! it is all for His glory!

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  10. Just read your story! Love it!
    My husband & I have a similar story & I graduated in 1997. So, we have a few things in common!
    I'll be back! When I have more time!
    Have a blessed Wednesday!

    Rebecca

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  11. beautiful, laurie! and completely agree! lets focus on the things that really matter .... the things that count for ETERNITY! miss you ;)

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  12. Thank you for this Laurie! As moms we do need to love each other and remember that God made us all differently. We will not do things the same but we CAN lift each other up and be a source of encouragement. xoxo

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  13. the whole book of isaiah rocks my world! love those verses.

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  14. So true! Thanks for reminding me to hold my tongue! You are such an encouragement to me and that's why you need to move back here!!!
    I'll never forget the comments I heard about how I'm so lucky not to have to deal with hormones of pregnancy, etc. As if those women had any idea of what I was going through!! I try to hold my tongue buy I always need reminding. Love you!

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