To Other Mamas

Being a mama is a lot of work.
More work than I've ever done in my life. Constant work.
While it's brought me the most joy in my life, it can also be so hard.
There are times of tears - whether its because my babies just won't stop crying or fit throwing,
Or because I had to discipline the toddler and it broke my heart,
Or because something simply scares me about raising children in this world.

There are times that when it is hard, I reach out on the internet.
It may be on facebook, or twitter, or even here on my blog. I write it out.
I don't do this to put down motherhood or my babies.
I don't do it to show how awful moments are.
My real reason is that I want to feel so not alone during the hard moments.
I want someone to relate to me. I want someone to tell me it's going to be okay!

Often, when I give a glimpse into the life of my two year old, I get negative responses.
I may say something like, "Braden just will not listen to me today!"
The responses I've gotten are:
"Oh, just wait until he is three!"
"Just to warn you three is much worse!"
I usually respond by saying something like, "That's not encouraging!"
Or I simply ignore it because it is not uplifting!

I do not find this to be a good thing whatsoever!
I find this very discouraging and harmful to me!
I'm here to tell you something mama, I'm not here to tell you that motherhood is rough.
We know this... it's not something new.

But I'm here to tell you to ignore those negative comments.
Ignore them because they have the potential to sit in your heart.
They have the potential to make you dread the moments, days, months, years to come!
I don't want that for myself or for any other mama!
Ignore them and know that, while some moments are rough, motherhood is a beautiful thing!
Know that everything will be okay.
You got this mama! You're children will be okay! You'll be okay!
Because motherhood was meant to be one of the most beautiful things...
And when it doesn't feel that way, or look that way, you've got the Lord to carry you through!

How many times in a lifetime?

I see my Bible lying beside my bed.

I see the homeless man on the side of the road with a sign, asking for simple things, I could easily give.

I hear a voice in my head assuring me that I shouldn't speak the words on my mind, for they are unkind.

I ignore the Bible (again).

I act as if I don't see the man and drive right past.

I speak critical, harsh words. 

There's things I do on a daily basis that aren't Christ-like. Those are just a few things I can think of, but I know there are many more I could list, but I also am aware that there are many more I couldn't list. I'm wondering about time... theres so many seconds in the day, in which I am sure I ignore God. No, I'm not sure...I KNOW that I ignore Him. 

How many seconds...

in a day

in a week

in a month

in a year

in a decade

....in a lifetime...

do we ignore God and what He is telling us?

How many times do we walk away from Christ in a lifetime?

I know I ignore things He wants me to do for many reasons.

I don't pick up my Bible because honestly sometimes I get bored.

I drive past the homeless man because I'm fearful.

I say critical, harsh things because sometimes I just don't know how to shut my mouth. 

The list of reasons why go on and on, but really can be summed up simply by one word...

SELFISH. 

I want to be less selfish. I want to follow Christ and do what He asks of me. 

I want to stop blaming my lack of relationship and following Him on things like I don't have enough time and other people, but it will take it effort. It will take a lot of praying, obedience, putting aside myself, listening, and encouragement.

God, again I come to you asking for some motivation because I seriously lack it. I don't know whats wrong really, but something is. I know I need to not only read the Bible, but follow You in the other ways You tell me to. Help me to have open eyes and an open heart. Amen. 

::all photos from pinterest::

Spreading the love.

I love finding encouragement in the blogging world. I always seem to find it when I need it. One of my favorite bloggers (with another blogger) realize how important it is for us to love ourselves. So often, we complain about how we look, how we feel, or just how we are in general. Everyone has things they dislike about themselves, things they would change if they could. But there are things we love about ourselves too or at least there should be! They want us to share about that... what we love about ourselves. I know it may take some thinking for some of us and others of us may know. 

What I love about myself is my heart. What I mean by this is the compassion I feel for others or even the pain I feel at times because those things reflect who I am and what matters to me. I am sensitive and care deeply about others. Sometimes this causes issues....sometimes my feelings get hurt when they shouldn't and sometimes I care to much that it causes more harm than good (you can get overly involved in people's problems). Anything can make me cry - a song on the radio, a tv show, a book, the news, so on and so on. Anything that touches my heart can bring tears to my eyes. Its hard at times because there are moments when my heart can be so deeply touched by something that it feels like it is breaking. 

I may not always appreciate it, but I do love it because it is who God made me. I may not be fully like Christ (thats a daily thing...to try to be like Him), but I like to think that His heart and mine have a thing or two in common.

What do you love about yourself? Please share!

And go here to read more about what others love about themselves!