On being a mama
I've had a couple of "mama"days where I wonder why on earth the Lord entrusted me with these three precious children. I'm pretty sure that "screw up" is written across my forehead right now. (And not even eating Paleo has made it better!) I was just wondering how some of you other mamas get through times like this? Any advice or words of wisdom?
posted by erinlo at 7:44 PM
11 Comments:
Oh sweetie. You are not a screw up. I promise! Obviously, I can't give you advice, but I will tell you that you are awesome. Well, I guess I could try to give you advice but it would sound strange and somehow out of place with my 'always pick up their poo' and 'brush them everyday' and 'oh I know you're not doing THAT to my leg!' :)
But seriously, you adore your kids. You take your role as a parent very seriously. Breath and pray. And you also got a whole mess o people praying for you guys.
Tomorrow is a new day. Love you much!!
PS - don't know if I ever told you this, but I used to think that if God was silly enough to give me kids, that if I was able to do it half as well as you (and CB and NJ), that things would be ok. Seriously.
When I feel like that I usually want to run and hide under a rock somewhere. I feel that no one could ever really love me because I'm so awful. I hope you don't feel like that but if you do, know that I love you and so does God. I heard a song the other day by mercyme called "beautiful" and it totally spoke to me on a day I really needed to hear it. If you haven't heard it, YouTube it. Maybe it will encourage you like it did me.
i feel like that so many times during the day! i just keep telling myself that i am a good mom... i love my kids... they are happy and healthy... God is with me... the only reason i feel this way is because the devil is waging war. there was one time when this feeling was completely overwhelming me and i broke down to my ladies Bible class in Berlin. they all told me that we all make mistakes, we all are human, but thankfully, our children are resilient and take what we provide for them in entirety (not just remembering the times we flew off the handle). they know you love them because of the life you provide for them... not material-wise, but spiritually and emotionally. one of the ladies told me that there were quite a few days when she put her kids to bed and prayed that they wouldn't remember that day. this is a lady that i would love to be like, and her children are fantastic kids! i will never forget that. just keep loving your kids (which i know you do) and remembering that God is with you. and know that you are not alone!! :)
SO what my heart needed to hear this morning, ladies. Thank you all so much.
Brandi- you always make me laugh out loud. Love that about you.
Chelsey- I KNEW you'd have some good advice. (And I was totally hoping you'd comment.)
Kelli- Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I love what that lady said about praying her kids would forget that day. I didn't actually pray that last night, but my kids woke up as if they HAD forgotten. Thank the Lord for resilient children!
Erin- Having a day to catch up on blogs...I so love reading about your family and congrats on the success with Paleo. I need to look into that more.
Blessings to you as a mother. I have been going thorugh several weeks of inward struggling, "Am I doing anything well? Am I screwing up my kids royally?" thoughts. Certainly I have apologized to them and spent more time with the Lord and He has helped me realize that one of the most damaging things I can do to myself and to my kids is act like perfection is something I push for in myself or in them. I know this may sound crazy, even like a cop-out...and I say it while telling you honestly I am working with the Lord on striving to be more like him in every area of my life...but, there can be no doubt in my kid's mind of how real my need is for JEsus. They hear daily how much I need Him...they see the need and they know its real. We turn to him often as a family...and so my hope is that over the screwup part that I know is written on my forehead they will see His name as well...they are learning grace not just as at church but at home as well. I am rambling and who know if it even makes sense. One thing is certain...the Lord in His Sovreignty put those three precious children in your home. You were His choice to raise 3 of his favorites. May you feel His love surrounding you as you walk through this day...
Since I'm the most awesome mom on the planet, I just can't relate to what you're talking about, Erin.
At this moment, I've been balled up on the chair in the living room for an hour because my back is seized up. I missed breakfast. I don't know where my toddler or my baby are...I hear one whimpering, and I hope that doesn't mean he's about to fall down the stairs. I hear things dropping on the floor above me, and I'll be happy if I don't find glass up there later, when I finally hoist myself out of this chair (after dinking around on my iPad until the battery dies because I'm too lazy to charge it).
Ohhhh, yeahhhh. I'm an awesome mom.
--Teri.
I SO second what Mrs. Brooks said! But I want to add to it.
I've been reading 1 and 2 Samuel this year, and have fallen in love with David all over again. Now there was a man with some serious screw-ups! And yet, he was still a man after God's own heart. He committed adultery and murder. The Bible clearly states that he was a pretty sad father (to at least two of his kids). The thing that struck me the most was that after each infraction, he was immediately repentant. Such an important lesson for me! And at the end of his life, He knew where he stood with the Lord. Oh, for that kind of confidence! But I think my favorite moment is actually recorded in 1 Chronicles when David prays that the Lord give Solomon a perfect heart. What an awesome thing to pray for our kids. Where we are deficient, our God is perfect and complete. On days when I wish I had the ability to immediately transport to a deserted island in order to keep from doing any more damage to my kids, I remember that He is holy. He is a perfect parent. And He will not leave me...or my kids.
I love you! And I know that you're a fabulous mama. I've learned from you how to see each child individually, and let them be who God created them to be. You ARE good at this, even if you have bad days. And we ALL have bad days...ever since Eve ate that stinkin' apple.;)
Becky- Thanks for taking the time to write. I always cherish your wisdom. Some day we WILL meet in person.
Ter- You know I love you like a sister. Thanks for reminding me that we all have stinky days.
Amy- You know I love YOU like a sister, too!!! Thanks for reminding me about King David. I need to open up my Bible and read again.
If you were perfect, how would your kids see their need for God?
Love you!
Well, i am just gonna say it like it is.....
We are screw ups all the time and You know what my child knows it!!! BUT BUT BUT In Christ we are complete and he takes the screw up and turns it into something beautiful. Everyday I have to set it at the feet of Jesus and pray that I can show just hem of his garment! Just like the woman bleeding for years she knew she could touch them hem of the Savior and that was enough power to heal her. I am not even bleeding internally so imagine what he could do with me!!! Honey, your precious babies need to see that imperfect momma going to the perfect Savior! Knowing you they do!!
If that doe snot help...I remind myself that God hand picked my child for me...just me. He puts the right babies with the right mommas! Then I forgive myself for whatever and if it requires an open apology to my son then I do it and show him scripture of how it should be!!!!!
If someone has already said this...then erase me...I did not have time to read any responses!!!! love you...
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