A teething baby and feisty toddler who is figuring things out (sometimes the hard way) is what has been going on around here lately. It has been exhausting and probably the most challenging thing I have faced in motherhood thus far. My Liya is such a wonderful baby. Those instagram pictures are honestly no lie. But when she's teething she's miserable and just wants to be held 24/7 and even then she's fussy, biting, pulling, choking me, and clawing mama.. (I need to get this girl a "Caution" shirt. And Like Liya my Evelynne is wonderful. On the independent and feistier end however, I love them and I'm so proud of them. But like most toddlers she's come to a place in her life where she's trying to figure things out. Like "I wonder how loud I can scream until Mama gives me my way" and "I wonder what would happen if I don't listen?"
And because Liya is slowly getting mobile and awfully curious about Evelynne's toys Evelynne has become quite territorial. Oh, and did I mention that both Liya and Evelynne have been giving me nightly calls every few hours.. I think they take turns. ;)
Where I'm going at is there has been much caffeine, timeouts, pajama days, hugs, kisses and the feeling of a failure.
Last week it really hit me as Evelynne was seriously throwing the tantrum of all tantrums.. I thought "If I was a good mom, would my daughter really be acting like this?" I just couldn't get it out of my head the thought that I was doing something wrong and I was failing my daughter and causing her to act in such a manner..
And now, I do understand that those are all lies from the devil and if you've been struggling with that too. I want to remind you that you are a wonderful mom and God gave you this child for a reason and no way would He set you up for failure. He's got bigger and brighter plans for you.
Truth is. We're not perfect parents and we won't have perfect kids who are tantrum free. But we can praise our perfect Father who has already supplied the strength and tools we need to overcome.
I totally recommend that Holy Spirit should be every moms bestie. He is not just awesome but seriously, He has everything we need to survive and beyond. So, to brighten your week I thought I'd share a few scriptures that have kept me going that that the Holy Spirit has used to get me out of survival mode and transform into Over comer mode.
Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I AM your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you and I will uphold you with My Righteous Right Hand. -Isaiah 41:10
This one is one of my life verses and it still applies to me today. Knowing that God is with me and He's daily strengthening me, willing to help me and uphold me with His Hand is just incredible. Just a reminder that I can do all things through Him because He's with me. Which brings me to our next verse.
"I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me. - Phil 4:13
Those tantrums, the teething, the disobedience and the correcting.. We can do it as hard as it is.. I added the "correcting" because I have such a hard time disciplining. I think it really does hurt me more than it does her. But because I love her I do it. I love her enough to make sure she knows that it is not okay to behave like that..But with God I can do all things.
"There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." -Romans 8-1
Because I'm the first to admit that I don't have it all together. I make plenty of mistakes, and I even lose it sometimes. Which is why this is a perfect reminder for me to seek forgiveness and move on guilt free.
"In Christ are hidden treasures of knowledge and wisdom."- COLOSSIANS 2:3
That wisdom and knowledge is in Christ and if I keep seeking Him He will show me everything I need to know about raising my children after His heart. Perhaps He'll even show me how to get Evie to eat her greens with a smile on her face. :)
"Come to Me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest"- Matthew 11:28-30
This is certainly a verse I try to quote every time I'm tired or weary or just done.. He's got us!
"But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -1 Corinthians 15:57
Praise God that we have the victory!
