One year and beyond Link up [Dealing with mommy guilt]

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!

Like A Morning Cup of Coffee               The Not Quite Military Wife

From Here To Eternity               Words About Waverly

Pardon My French             Beautiful Family Affairs

My Delicious Adventure                  The Life Of Faith

Running From The Law             The Olive Tree 

         

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)

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