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.
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| (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.
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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!).....
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| (beautiful find at the farmers market) |
have a super (encouraging!) tuesday, everyone!
linking up with jami!
