Perfection.

As a mom perfection is something I strive to be.. I desire to be the perfect mama. The mama who knows how to do all things, when to do them and how to do them.

Being honest here, It bugs me that I'm not the perfect mom. It frustrates me so much! I want to do everything right and be the mistake free mom. But you and I both know that will never happen. Not being negative it's just truth!

God revealed something to me today that has never crossed my mind before.. never.

He told me that if I expect myself to be perfect, all knowing and to never make any mistakes then I need to expect the same of my daughter.. Also if I expect myself to be perfect why do I need Jesus in the first place?"

Bam! I just love Jesus and His Hardcore truths. Mamas I see things in a new light today.. It's really a good thing we're not the perfect mamas and here are some reasons why:

If we were perfect why would we need  Jesus to help and guide us every day?

If we were the perfect mamas our children would suffer because they would see the perfection in our lives and they would want to strive for the same and because they're not perfect the lack of perfection
 would fall even harder on them. And because they don't see us fully giving Jesus our frustrations and imperfections they won't either. Instead they will try to be perfect on their own and that's just not possible.

Darlings, I think one of the biggest lies the enemy tries to hit us hard with is that "you need to be a perfect mom to be a good mom." But I'm finding out that's the furthest thing from the truth.

Our children need to see our physical imperfections and they need to see us giving them to Jesus so He can continue to renew us.  We need to stop trying to do it on our own and just cry out to Christ and say "God I receive your love, guidance and wisdom today!"

And we need to stop beating ourselves up about mistakes we have made when it comes to parenting and tell ourselves what we would tell our own children. "It's okay, God's got you so forgive yourself and begin again. And that's exactly what our Heavenly Father is telling us. We're just so disappointed in ourselves to hear it.

So moms, I'm glad you're not perfect and I'm glad I'm not perfect. It makes it a lot easier for us to understand each other and encourage each other.

I'm glad we need Jesus every second of the day and I'm glad our children do too!

I'm glad that my dear Evie can see how much I need Jesus and I pray every day that through the imperfections I deal with daily Evelynne will not only see how much I need and receive the strength and perfection of Jesus but I hope she sees how much she needs Jesus too.

I don't know about you but for now on this mama is clinging hard to the fact that Jesus is what makes me a perfect mama. And imperfections won't change that.

Just  like in Jesus our children are  perfect children and mistakes they make won't change that either.

The most important work

In Seventeen years Evelynne will be eighteen. She will be grown up into the woman God had created her to be. She will be beautiful, strong, confident and Jesus will be her everything.

Maybe she'll be going to college, traveling the world, fulfilling  her dreams or maybe even getting married to the man God has for her. *tear

In Seventeen years I do not want to have to admit that I could have done a better job as a mother.
 I don't want to wait until my daughter is grown to come into the realization that I was just getting by as a mom.

I want this calling on my life to come 3rd to God second to Marriage and before anything else. Ministry, friends or even "me time"

These seventeen years of my daughter being at home are years that need to be cherished, thought about, and taken advantage of because once they're gone that's it. My daughter isn't getting any younger and the time I have to teach her, raise her, discipline her,  encourage her and love her before she meets the world isn't getting any longer. In fact it's going to go by quicker then I can imagine.

Thinking that eighteen years of a child's life will go by slowly is a mistake that is made by many mamas.. And that is the #1 thing that they tell you when you're pregnant/new mama.

"It goes by fast so cherish them" 

These are the years I have to train, teach,disciple, and influence my baby girl. Years that I won't get back so I need to make the decision quickly.

"Will I spend 90 % of my time raising my daughter today or watching other people raise their kids on media and showing everyone how I raise my kids on media?"

I have made the decision today that while my daughter is awake and in my care I will not be affiliated with media (including texting)  Unless it's an emergency.

I don't want to be a mama who looks back and realized that  I had just  gotten by as a mama.

But I want to give this girl the best 18 years of her life teaching her and allowing Jesus to use me fully to shape Evelynne into the Woman of God she'll be.

I no longer want to compromise in motherhood but instead I want to be 100% after my daughter's (And future children's) heart. I want to show my love for them with my time and availability.

These are seventeen years I have with my daughter.. And maybe they won't go as fast as many say.. But I'm not taking the chance. This is my calling. I am 100% called to be a mom and if I'm lacking in my mothering how can I encourage other moms as well.. I can't.. I just can't. So I'm done compromising.

My girl comes first folks.. In ministry, blogging, and all that jazz. If I don't have time to get a post in because I was too busy loving on her and teaching her I'm sorry  I'm really not sorry but I do hope you understand.
                                                 Much love!
                   

I am all in to go after my children’s hearts and their behavior. I want to love them practically; I want them to have me available. - See more at: http://sarahmae.com/#sthash.7NaFfSD1.dpuf

I am all in to go after my children’s hearts and their behavior. I want to love them practically; I want them to have me available. - See more at: http://sarahmae.com/#sthash.7NaFfSD1.dpuf

I am all in to go after my children’s hearts and their behavior. I want to love them practically; I want them to have me available. - See more at: http://sarahmae.com/#sthash.7NaFfSD1.dpuf

Cherish them.

Don't worry about what you can and can't buy them or whether or not you're child has the best and newest gadgets. Don't worry about what other parents are doing for their children. Just focus on you and what you can do for your child with what you have.. Love them and cherish them because they won't remember the stuff you did for them but they will remember how you loved them.

To a Beautiful pregnant mama.

First off  where is the water you pregnant mamas are drinking?  I wanna drink haha! These last few weeks I've had the pleasure of finding out many of my friends are pregnant Bloggers and non bloggers and   one of my very good friends that I met in my neighborhood.  plus my sister's due with my niece in April. So to celebrate I thought I would share with you a post that I had written a while ago on my old blog when my dear friend Sarah was just about to give birth to her precious girl Selah.

So to all of you pregnant mamas. This one's for you!! And for all you mamas and non mamas who have strongly caught the baby fever... Lets talk!

If I were having coffee with you today, I would give you this HUGE awkward hug that none Pregers and Pregers are known to give each other. I'd ask you "How are you doing and feeling"  I'd also ask you if you had any amazing sonogram pictures to show me.. I'd even treat you to some Decaf coffee with a pastry. :)

Evelynne's Sonogram picture.

If I were having coffee with you, I'd tell you how beautiful you looked even if you were wearing sweats. Because that new momma glow looks radiant on you!

I would tell you how excited I am about your pregnancy and how I've been praying for you. And that I can't wait to see what God has planned for this precious life that He's created inside you!

Me at 39 weeks

 I would ask how you were feeling knowing that your day is coming up real soon? Sooner than you even realize. The day you will be holding this little life that you have carried. It's so exciting!

I would ask you if you've had any crazy dreams yet? And than I would fill you in and tell you about my crazy dreams when I was pregnant. The crazy dream when my Grandmother was Pregnant, and the dream of when Panera Bread wouldn't give me my food because they said it wasn't mine.. When I knew it was!!.. (That dream even made me wake up mad!) It's so funny what pregnancy does to you.

 
 If I were having coffee with you, I would tell you not to worry about anything. Sometimes it's hard to not be afraid or to worry when you have a little life that you love and adore to protect.

There's so many things the enemy tries to fill our heads with just so that we will live in fear. But I will remind you that perfect love casts out fear and that Jesus gave us that perfect love when He died on the cross for us! So that we will be made whole. I would tell you that God has major plans for this youngster of yours and don't let the enemy tell you otherwise.

I would tell you that your baby is created to live and declare the works of The Lord. And that your little blessing is beautifully and wonderfully made with nothing missing and nothing lacking.

I would tell you that Jesus is with you every  step of the way and that there is nothing to be feared.


I would tell you to brace yourself because once you hold your sweet child in your arms. Your life will never be the same!

A New Perspective For Moms

Hey lovelies!! So I have been so busy this week I have barely had time to blog! I guess you can say I started my spring cleaning early. I've been cleaning out cabinets, cleaning Evelynne's room and all that fab!




So for today I really want to share with you a video that spoke to my heart so much and I just know it will do the same for you!

Remember mamas, no matter how you  see yourself as a mom your kids think your awesome!!! 

For the mom who sees herself as ordinary.

         For the mom who sees herself as ordinary.

          Can I share something with you?

                                You may feel like just a mama. 
                        
                         You may feel like just a woman.
    
 There are times when motherhood makes you so joyful.
   
And if you're anything like me there are times when you   want to make a run for the door when your husband walks in. 

There are times when you may feel ordinary. An ordinary person, woman, wife, and mother. 

But let me tell you..

You are the furthest thing from ordinary.

You are the extraordinary in the every day life.

You are the beauty in the ordinary that so many search for and some take for granted.

You are the one who wakes up and gives and gives.

You get tired.

You lose it sometimes and that doesn't make you  a bad mom. Despite what the world thinks what a perfect mom is.

  Jesus has something else to say about you!

He has a plan for you and your family! To prosper, to bring hope and a great future.
(See Jeremiah 29:11)

You are a mom for such a time as this!  
(See Esther 4:14)

Because your hope is in Him His strength lives in you and girlfran,  You will soar even on the hardest days!  
(See Isaiah 40:31)

You have been called to heal the sick and raise the dead!
(See Matthew 10:8)

We are not just moms but also Daughters of The Most High God! Because of Jesus we can not only come boldly to our Father but also confidently into His Awesome presence anytime we want and need to! 
 (See Eph 3:12)

You are clothed in strength and in Dignity! And there is no need for you to worry about your future. 
(See proverbs 20:25)

God is within you and you will not fail!!
 (See Psalms 46:5)

You are loved with an Everlasting love! 
(see Jeremiah 31:3)

God is in the Midst of you and you will not be moved!
 (see Psalms 46:5)

There will be days when people will question you as a mom.. They will question your ability, your boldness, your wisdom, your beliefs and your parenting skills.. 

There will even be days when people criticize everything you do as a mama.. 

But don't lose heart dear sister..

God doesn't think that... at all!
 In fact He sees your heart, your soul, your intentions and He is pleased. He sees that you try your hardest with what you have and that you are doing what you feel is best!

In His opinion you are most qualified to raise the children you have! And if anyone can raise that little joy running around your house like a little crazy person, you can!


 You are an extraordinary mama doing an extraordinary job. You are raising the future and making a difference for tomorrow.
                                                 

Give Him your mornings.

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  - Is 40:31

Ever since  I became a Mother Jesus has really been encouraging me to wake up before light and spend some quiet one on one time with Him. Those quiet mornings are so important to me, it's a breath of fresh air, it's life, it's peace and it's powerful.  It's something I need and without a doubt would go crazy without. It's a love encounter. A love encounter that makes me stronger, energizes me and encourages me to love throughout the rest of the day which is much needed!

Some mornings it can be a huge struggle to get out of bed before the sun shines through my windows and sometimes I'm so tired I can't even open my eyes to get up. But when I don't get up I find myself even more exhausted, and tired throughout the day then I would have if I had gotten up earlier..
 Mornings have become my favorite part of the day.. Minus the annoying frog ringtone I have on my phone that goes off.  But after I manage to hurry up and turn it off my mornings are golden.

 I start of by thanking Jesus and asking Him to use me this day even before putting my feet on the floor.  I want both Jesus and the devil to know that as soon as I put my feet on the floor I am mission minded. I want all of Jesus and I want Him to do all He wants with me for that day.

Then I go upstairs, make my breakfast, pour my delicious and creamy season  flavored  coffee  and continue to thank Jesus and sometimes check my phone for random texts that was sent to me from my late night friends sisters. After that I go into the living room, sit on my comfy couch with a blanket and cup of Jo and just sit and soak. I read my daily prophetic book given to me by this girl,  and of course The Bible. And then I write in my journal while worshiping Jesus.

Something so intimate and something so powerful!  And by that time I am ready to go get my darling girl who is for the most part one happy baby in the morning. She also benefits a great deal of me waking up in the morning because this is where my patience and love for the day is fulfilled. It is very rare when I feel like my patience is tried, or tempted to be loosened. Because it is His patience.. His love and patience that has been renewed in me. And it is extremely good because she has been really testy lately so I thank Jesus that His patience and love in me  never ends and is always overflowing. .

 I also pray that Evelynne takes this with her.. That every time she wakes up Jesus is the first she goes to and gets her mind renewed, her strength strengthened, her love deepened, and her patience refilled.. Because it is definitely needed.

Darling, Today Jesus wants me to encourage you to do the same.. He wants to have a love encounter with you and give you strength before you start your day.. Would you let Him strengthen and love you more than you have  ever experienced before? I'm telling you It's awesome!

So, close your eyes, grab your journal and pen, get a nice warm beverage, turn on some classical music and be loved sister!

                                             Love ya!
                                       xoxo Heather.
                      
                                                

Some Java for the Mama. My new online weekly devotional

                                           

      Hey Ladies, Happy Thursday! How is your week going? Great I hope!
    I wanted to share with you this morning a new series I'm starting called  "Java for the Mama".

I got this idea after reading Faith's new blog post called "Jesus time for mama's." Have you read it?? That's what I thought.. Go read it now! :) It's such a great reminder of how much we need that Jesus time every day. I know for me if I don't get it I'm just one big unmotivated lush all day. I feel dry, impatient, unmotivated and just unhappy and that's not good! Especially for the little life that depends on me every second of the day. How can I enjoy life if I don't spend it with the One who gives me a reason to be joyful?

So, ladies. I'd like to introduce to you my very new series called "Some Java for the mama".. A place to get your encouragement and Spiritual caffeine every Thursday morning.

My prayer for this series is to not only build a community of  mamas but also women who are not yet mamas.. I believe with all my heart that this devotional will benefit you because even though you don't yet have biological children you may have some children who are like your own, you may nanny and I guarantee that there is some little love out there who looks  up to you and even if you don't you could certainly apply a majority of it to your life.

I desire for this series to build a sisterhood and just energize you with everything you need.

                                                      You guys with me?