Isn't being a mom so great?? Maybe that's a bad question for you right now. Maybe you just yelled at your son for doing something wrong. Maybe you can't concentrate because there is yelling and craziness going on in your house and all you want to do is lock yourself in a quiet place and read the rest of the this post in peace. And. Quiet.
Oh, do I know how that feels!
The question of "Isn't being a mom so great?" was somewhat rhetorical. I was asking the question because some days, I still struggle answering that question. Some days I have just yelled at my son Oskar or I just want time to read whatever online, and I can't even think because of the noise in my house.
Oh, do I know how that feels!
The question of "Isn't being a mom so great?" was somewhat rhetorical. I was asking the question because some days, I still struggle answering that question. Some days I have just yelled at my son Oskar or I just want time to read whatever online, and I can't even think because of the noise in my house.
Something the gracious Lord as been teaching me is to slow down, put my phone away, close my computer and pay attention to my children more. Not just love them- but like them too; enjoying them, making an effort with them, having laughing fits, being goofy, doing puzzles together, encouraging them... and putting down other things I want to do, in order to do things with them.
This can be such a hard thing to do, because there are so many things I want to do... but selflessness is a must in this thing called Mommahood.
This can be such a hard thing to do, because there are so many things I want to do... but selflessness is a must in this thing called Mommahood.
I am reading a really good book called Hands Free Mama written by Rachel Macy Stafford. I would highly recommend it to any mom who loves her phone or computer. It has really shown me that I have missed out on many moments because my eyes were glued to a screen rather than to my kids. She also has a blog.
God has also shown me recently that I have been looking for another place in this world for purpose. I want something more than being a mother. I want belonging and identity somewhere else besides the home. I want other people besides my children to want or need me. For me, this has included many things like: selling handmade cards, getting over-involved in a group, pursuing or looking into being a sales rep in a variety of companies, and even... blogging (yes, I said it.)
None of these things are bad, but when I was substituting my purpose of being a mom for something else or when I was searching for something more "purposeful" I was wandering aimlessly from my target: my family. I wasn't happy with just being a mother to three children. I wanted more.
I have found myself busy doing many things, trying to be me; the "me" that is there somewhere... was there, when my children were not here yet. But my children have been given to me now, and that means my mission for life- my purpose has changed.
Although having me time is super important in order to have renewal and sanity, I want it to be just that- me time. Not, I'm on a search to find something other than mothering these children!
Being a mom is a hard job- no doubt. We were called to a tremendous purpose and calling. It requires selflessness and hard work. But regardless, it is a calling- one that we were designed and blessed to do.
I think there is a time in a woman's life, when God does give us more than one purpose- like a working mom, or a woman with other responsibilities, a calling of another sorts. But now, is not my time for other things. My mission is to be a partner in life to my husband, supporting him in ministry, to train and raise up my three children, and start homeschooling this month with my oldest Oskar.
If I am not willing to do the one thing God has for sure placed in my life, how can He trust me with other things?
It's such a hard reminder when I find myself searching for another purpose. It makes me realize that I am unsatisfied with my calling. I find this because I'm not giving it my all- all my energy, all my focus, all of ME. What if God would give me full blessing and identity in this calling, since it is what He intended? I am on my journey to that place... God is showing me places that I am trying to find my purpose in and removing them one by one. In addition He is showing me areas of my family life that needs more attention, and showing me how precious my children are in His sight.
I filled this post with pictures of times with my kids.... times that I may have missed if I had been doing something else. When I saw these pictures, it made me wish I had plenty more. I read something a couple days ago: "You are the one who helps create your children's memories." I want my children's memories to be like this picture below:
A memory of Mama going down a huge bouncy slide with them.
Your children's memories are in your hands. I don't want my kids to remember me on my phone, or on my computer, or busy doing my things. I want my focus to be on them, and my purpose in this world and in this season of raising them. My prayer is that I would be okay with that. That I would stop trying to find something more.
Although there are many moms out there doing the same mundane things day in and day out, it's a wonderful thing. I don't need to be unique and find success in anything else because I don't want God to say one day, I gave you this really important job of raising these children. I entrusted them to you... and it wasn't good enough in your eyes... you had to go find something less important to give you temporary satisfaction and a false sense of purpose.
Although there are many moms out there doing the same mundane things day in and day out, it's a wonderful thing. I don't need to be unique and find success in anything else because I don't want God to say one day, I gave you this really important job of raising these children. I entrusted them to you... and it wasn't good enough in your eyes... you had to go find something less important to give you temporary satisfaction and a false sense of purpose.
I am a mother to three healthy, beautiful children. This is my mission field. This is my life. I don't want my children to get half of me, or what's left after I give something else all my time and energy. I want them to get all of me.
Can you relate? Share in the comments below!
~Leanne
Can you relate? Share in the comments below!
~Leanne
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