I love being a Mama. I do! It's my calling in life. It's an anointing
God has placed upon me and it's a job I know I'm good at. I know these
things without a doubt and yet sometimes I still let the lies of the
enemy bring me down by throwing guilt in my face or comparison..
Throwing at me the thieves of all joy..
It's something I have battled with ever since I became a Mama and it's
suffocating at times by how awful I feel over the simplest things such
as letting Evelynne cry herself to sleep because she won't let me cuddle
her to sleep or getting frustrated with her because I'm so tired and I
feel exhausted still from that morning when she woke up at 1am wide
awake..
I see all of these pinterest worthy Mama's and instagram and facebook
Mama's continually posting pictures of their daily activities with
their children and it's so hard for me not to compare my motherhood to
theirs.. With me not having a car our schedule sometimes just involves
walks five times a day making it as exciting as possible and thank God
for friends!
And with all that being said I really feel like Jesus is always speaking to me through those times telling me
"Heather, Think of all the good things you did today as a Mama and stop
drowning yourself in the things that didn't meet your expectations."
Let me see here..
My daughter woke up to hugs and kisses.
I fed her really good yogurt and toast for breakfast.
Provided for her clean clothes to wear that day.
did her hair.
took her on a walk.
Loved on her and gave her everything I had to give.
And Once I did that. Once I brought attention to all the things I did
with my daughter I was proud of who I was as a mama.
Yes, I get frustrated with my beautiful daughter sometimes.. 9 times out
of 10 it's mainly because I'm tired and exhausted and the other time is
because I really think often times I'm raising a three year old in a
one year old's body. She's so older minded and likes to try and out
smart mama sometimes and boy if she doesn't get her way the whole
neighborhood knows it. She's a leader and I love her for that and she is
determined to get what she wants and I admire her about that.. I just
need to continue to seek Jesus and His wisdom to show me and and
continue to receive His wisdom in raising my darling strong willed
precious girl.
Truth is Mamas.. We have a huge job on our hands.. It's hard, crazy at
times and sometimes exhaustion over runs it all. But there is seriously
nothing more rewarding.
I am a firm believer that raising a child is the most important job
here on earth.. It's a ministry all in itself. It's where 24/7 you are
always giving, always on call and you constantly have your guard up
to protecting your precious child.. And I'm not saying it's the most
important job to be prideful and I'm not saying it's the hardest job
either.. But what we're doing while raising our children is we're
raising the future. We're raising an opportunity to make a difference.
When we make a difference in the lives of our children or other peoples
children and when we give them unconditional love, mercy and compassion
and show them that Jesus difference in a Mama they will take that and
share it with the world.
And this is why the enemy tries so hard to take your mind off of the
importance of Motherhood and plants thoughts of guilt and comparison.
Because he wants your child to experience guilt and comparison as well.
Mamas even at a young age your children are still watching you. Even in
the womb they feel you and get vibes on how your feeling.
Satan is not only on a mission to steal your joy but also the joy of
your husband and children.. Because he knows what your children carry.
The very hope that is in Jesus Christ. The hope that saves, heals,
brings life and condemns darkness. And all we need is just one with that
hope to bring condemnation to hopelessness.
I am learning this every day. In fact Jesus is showing me this in a new
light as I'm writing it down. And I want to encourage you today that you
are not alone and it's okay to feel frustrated, exhausted and even mad
at times. In fact I sometimes believe that Jesus gave us this verse
specifically for mama's at times. I deeply encourage you sisters to take
this verse seriously and run with it. Jesus knows weariness better then
anyone! And He gets you, He's got you and He wants to give you rest.
And He'll do that. You just gotta go to Him.
Mama's will you let me encourage to today?
If you are experiencing guilt for something such as getting frustrated
with your kids, maybe you punished them or yelled at them out of anger
or made them nap because you couldn't take anymore.
Maybe you feel bad for letting them cry themselves to sleep because sometimes you just have to do that.
Maybe you feel bad because you don't feel like you do enough things with you child.
Or maybe you're a new Mama and you're just so tired and you don't know what
your baby wants. Or breastfeeding is difficult and you feel guilty for
switching to formula. You know there is nothing wrong with that and it
doesn't mean you love your baby any less.. Breast feeding is not for
everyone and it seriously has nothing to do with love. It's just a way
of supplying food for your baby.
No matter what you're going through as a mama leave it at the feet of
Jesus, Know who you are as a Mama and know that you are a good one who is
anointed and gifted to raise little warriors.
And remember that God is not calling perfect moms! Because there
aren't any. Not even the ones on face book, blogger and instagram.. And
that's okay. We all need Jesus and I'll choose His perfection to cover
me in my weakness. Because that's where He is strong and He wants to be
your strength as well..
He knows you can't do this mom thing without
Him because He knows you and your child better then you do and He wants
to help you out. So when your uncertain about something when it comes to
your parenting, instead of all of a sudden feeling guilty about it or
feeling like a horrible parent talk to Jesus about it. Ask Him His
thoughts or if He has any ideas of a better way to do it.. I promise if
you go to Him He'll guide you through this journey of Motherhood.
Always remember Jesus is with you always, and instead of dwelling
on the thought that you are a bad Mama because of the fewish things you
have done that may not have even been a wrong decision but just a
decision. Remember that you are not a bad mom.. But you are a pretty
darn good one and Jesus makes you an even better one. :)
And always remember this!
May 8: Taming the Temper Tantrums
May 15: Weaning from Breastfeeding or From Formula to Cow’s Milk
May 22: Dealing with Mommy Guilt
May 29: When People Share Their Opinions and How to Lovingly Handle it
June 5: Traveling with your Toddler
June 12: How to get your toddler to eat their veggies…or their food at all
June 19: How to make time to blog in the busyness of motherhood
June 26: Bedtime Battles (nap or bedtime)
