being a mum can seem daunting sometimes.
i’m responsible for people. responsible for their health, well being, education, security, faith.
my words and actions, what i do and don’t do, shapes who they will become, who they are.
there are many times when i don’t know what i am doing, when i am winging it, when i am completely feeling out of my depth and that i’m running on fumes, and making up what happens next.
i remember thinking about my mum. she was 30 when she had me. i was 26 and 29 when i had my two.
my mum never seemed like she was winging it. she always seemed like she knew what to do, like she had it together. it never crossed my mind to doubt her experience or her doing. she was my mum. mums know everything.
but as i now experience motherhood, i wonder, did she? did she always have it together?
or was that just the childlike impression i had? is it an innate thing children do, to have unwavering confidence in their mum?
it gave me comfort and hope that even though i don’t have it together and may feel incredibly unsure on the inside, my children will trust and hope in me, perhaps simply because i’m their mum.
there are times that i feel that i have failed. there are times i HAVE failed. but i’m learning, growing.
being a mother isn’t about a series of things we do, a series of activities or actions, a formula we can master.
its who i am.
i am a mother.
You have the exact qualities God knew your kids would need in a mother. So, each day, hold up your willingness and ask God to make you the best version of you that you can possibly be. Lysa TerKeurst
God has called me to be a mother, the mother of my children. they were chosen to be my children and i was chosen by God to be their mother.
i can rest assured that as God empowers me to preach and serve Him, so likewise He empowers me in this important ministry – motherhood.
He is the giver of wisdom, grace, kindness, love. As i trust in Him and ask Him for His help He fills me and overflows through me. i can do all things through Christ who is my strength.
As i surrender my own responses and reactions and natural desires to Him (when i am frustrated, afraid, grumpy and impatient) He changes me and helps me to be more gentle, self controlled, peaceful, loving.
as i face situations unique to my own children, i can rest, secure, confident even, that God is with me and has purposed me for even this moment.
God planned my family.
Day by day, i will trust Him. Love Him. Serve Him.
and i hope that is what my children will know about me, remember about me.
what my mother did was she trusted and loved God all the days of her life.
Five Minute Friday is a feature over at Lisa-Jo Bakers TALES FROM A GYPSY MAMA blog. i first read about it on my friend Fee’s blog and thought it sounded fun!
So, let’s do this thing. Let’s write.
Set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..
Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!
OK, are you ready?
#FiveMinuteFriday —>Click to Tweet that.
6 comments
Comments feed for this article
February 23, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Pattyann
What a gift to give you that inspiration! We all end up “winging it” but we also learn to dance in the storms and make it look like we know exactly what we are doing. Hopefully, my children don’t remember too many of the times when I really had a rough time.
February 23, 2013 at 3:45 pm
fireball3316
i so agree – but how often do we confess our weaknesses and fears as mothers… as mums we need to band together and support each other with kindness and grace – i love that “picture” your phrase dancing in the storms gives! thanks for stopping by!
February 23, 2013 at 10:23 pm
sarahjmcb
I’m not a mom, but I love how you portray that feeling of feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing, but from the kids’ point of view, you’re doing a great job. I’m now wondering if that’s how my mom felt, too. Great post!
February 24, 2013 at 12:36 am
Sandi
This is awesome.
When my mom had my little sister, I began studying her purposefully. Watching how she “mothered” us all, taking invisible notes. I did that for 20 years, until I had a child of my own.
She was kind of overwhelmed when she found out, later, how much I had seen and heeded over the years. It worried her, how I had interpreted her, even though she was a most amazing mother. Still is.
Because of my experience, I am always aware – always – that my children watch me. They are guys and not watching the same way I did, I’m sure, but I spend every hour with them knowing that everything I do could be making its way into the permanent file.
So be encouraged. You’re doing fantastic. We only get one shot at each new day – and you rely on the very best to see you through.
February 24, 2013 at 8:04 am
fireball3316
thanks for popping in sarah! i think i read your post yesterday
) makes you realize mums are “people” too (eeek what a revelation!)
February 24, 2013 at 8:05 am
fireball3316
oh that is so beautiful and so encouraged me sandi! thankyou for your gracious words!