I look around my house and see a pile of laundry on my sofa that's been there for days. There are dishes in the sink and a rotten smell coming out of the disposal. The kids have tracked toys that belong in their playroom to the furthest corners of this house and I yelp in pain as I step on the plug-in end of the vacuum cleaner cord. One child is singing and one child is screaming and it feels like madness.
This is not what I had in mind when I imagined being a mama.
The doubt jumps at its opportunity to crush me as I allow even the slightest opening in this new armor God and I are working on. And I think I must be doing something wrong since this mothering doesn't come easy for me.
But, I hear the truth before I can stay in that pit. No, this doesn't come easy. But I'm not supposed to do this on my own! And just because it is hard doesn't negate the fact that this is where God is using me.
Every single toy that is in the wrong room, every single piece of that dreaded laundry I have to fold, every single time I have the opportunity to choose between grace words and harsh words God is using me. He is growing me. And I fail daily and ask forgiveness daily. And, yes it is painful, but that's why they call it growing pains.
This isn't supposed to be easy, mama. It isn't supposed to be dandelions and clean clothes and snot free noses. I know because God's word tells me "in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Just because it isn't easy doesn't mean it isn't good. Just because there is trouble to be found in this world, often in our own homes, doesn't mean that we can't rejoice!
There is beauty in this mess of motherhood. There is beauty when I choose to take up my Savior's yoke. There is beauty when I fail and ask forgiveness. There is beauty when my daughter tells me her favorite Bible verse while we are driving in the car and then proceeds to throw a huge tantrum because her seat belt is buckled "wrong." There is beauty when I skip the dishes and build towers with my little man and realize he's got a nice full diaper waiting for me to change...again. And there is beauty when no one acknowledges this work I do. There is beauty here. Because God has me here and because God is here.
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Such a true and sweet post!
ReplyDeleteI am with you!!! I have been feeling the growing pains lately- I just hope the Lord is getting me closer to the mom He wants me because most days, I fall so short!
Thanks for writing this.
Amen! How silly we were to believe that motherhood would be one big Babies 'R Us catalogue. How blessed we are to have a God who desires to shape us, transform us and empower us through the blessings and trials of motherhood. How blessed we are to *not* be alone as so many are. We have a marvelous Savior. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThis helped me take a deep breath as I sit here in the mess. Yes, there IS beauty here.
ReplyDeleteThank you :) I needed these words today.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found your blog today. What a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteOH yes! Beauty in this mess of motherhood! THanks great post.
ReplyDeleteCome check out my list of 100 Smoothies! Comment if you'd like on which one is you favorite!
Love, Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/04/100-smoothie-recipes.html
Yes! Beauty in the hard, the ugly and the painful. It's all for Jesus!
ReplyDeleteOnce again! You give me JUST what I needed. :)
ReplyDeleteWow. I felt like I was writing that first part. Thank you for sharing the real stuff...just what I needed. Thinking I need to read this every day!
ReplyDeleteThis post is so true and it is something my mom has been reciting for years. Thank you for the reminder... We all need that every once in a while... Especially on days when nothing goes as planned
ReplyDeleteMay I make copies of this post for our MOPS group? I would love to share this encouragement with our moms as it really hits home with me and is a great articulation of the sanctifying work of motherhood! Love it... thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteAbbey, you are more than welcome to make copies of this post and distribute it to your MOPS group. We do ask that you would credit Jen as the author and also include a link to our site in the copy you give them. :) Thank you for your sweet words, we are so glad you are here!!!
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