The ongoing learning for me as a mom has been accelerated with all of our transitions lately. I can honestly say that I love it. I could not say this a few weeks ago. I was at a point of despair with my children and with myself. In the moment, of course, it seemed like despair. Now, as we are finding things running much more smoothly, emotions have evened out, and routines have been established, I am delighted in the recent opportunities to be reminded of the Lord's grace for me. I am overjoyed with my children and the responsibility of pouring love and grace and energy and repeated learning and training into their lives.
This is truly a marathon...I'm not naturally a marathon runner. I don't like to work hard at something for a LONG time and not see results right away. I like to sprint, be finished, and see results. Parenting is a marathon.
This is one blog post that really inspired and encouraged me lately:
One by Rachel Jankovic was refreshing as it recounted the reality of the daily life of a mom along with the call to live out the gospel to our children. She says this near the end: "Of course, this side of heaven we will not do perfectly. Harsh words will be spoken, patience will wear thin. Frazzled mothers will act frazzled. And when this happens, our own sinfulness does not detract from the power of the gospel, it illustrates why we need it. Do not use your own mistakes as an excuse to wallow about what a bad mother you are. Repent, seek forgiveness, get it right, and move on. Believe. Be forgiven. Extend that forgiveness, that belief, that joy, to your children."
More on that to come...
