I mentioned HERE that the books you read during pregnancy really don’t adequately prepare you for what’s coming.
So I thought I would jot down a few examples of things I wasn’t prepared for about motherhood (from this past week alone – ha!).
- I wasn’t prepared for the giant bottle of unknown liquid that someone spilled in the back seat of a newly leased car.
- I was not prepared to deal with the public tantrum that happened over something as bizarre as the mere thought of having to get his fingernails clipped.
- I was not prepared for the way bedtime takes 3 hours.
- I never thought I would get impatient with my kids, often feel like I am not disciplining them well, or make decisions about whether or not it’s okay to just let them pee in the parking lot of Target (it was an emergency).
- When they voted me, “Most Likely to Succeed” in high school, I thought that meant becoming a well-known author or speaker. As it is, I never thought that one day my success could be summed up as “Professional Puke Catcher.”
- I didn’t see it coming that one of my kids would accidentally break my favorite plate and then color on the white fridge with red Sharpie.
- I never thought I would become so knowledgable about how to get poo out of carpet.
- I was not prepared for the utter humiliation of having an incredibly honest son announce to everyone after hugging me that my armpits smelled bad.
- I never thought I would have the kids that like to wake up at 5 am.
- I was not prepared for all. the. whiiiiiiining.
- I did not imagine that one day I would be driving home from work and feel so tired and overwhelmed that I would have to call my mother-in-love to ask if she could take the boys to dinner so that I could have a few minutes to just breathe. And get caught up on laundry.
If I can be completely honest (which, if you’re new here, is something I am very good at doing), I have struggled on weeks such as these with a feeling of disappointment with certain aspects of motherhood.
I think it kind of started with the 4 years of infertility that the hubs and I experienced before we got pregnant with Happy Buddy. During that season I believe I put having children on a bit of a pedestal and conjured up in my head this notion that motherhood was only craft-making and laughter and healthy kids around the dinner table happily eating whatever amazing meal I had all kinds of time to prepare that day.
So of course when I was given kids who only eat 5 things and frequently throw up all over the carseat cover that I have no idea how to take off and wash, I have found myself, on occasion, to be a bit disillusioned.
Over the last couple of years, however, the Lord has been working out the fussy spirit in me that feels entitled to an unruffled, perfect life. He is opening my eyes to see that everything above – everything about motherhood is an opportunity to worship Him, know Him more, and pour out His love on my precious kiddos.
And isn’t that what we want, sisters? To be made more like Jesus?
- When I am depleted, I find strength on my knees (1 Chronicles 16:11).
- When my things break or get colored on, I remember that stuff doesn’t matter – He is all I need (Philippians 4:19).
- When I am coming undone at the end of the day, I rest in His grace that is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- When I am tempted to grow discouraged, I reflect on the daily bread He gives me (Luke 11:3).
- When I am so, sooooo tired, my heart is encouraged by the truth of Psalm 73:26.
- When I need a rescuer to take the boys for a few hours, I remember that my real Rescuer is Christ (Psalm 91:14-15).
- When I bend low to wipe spills or scrub out stains, I am reminded of the position that Jesus preferred (Philippians 2:5-11).
- When the whining makes me bristle in frustration, I remember that training children is both a process and a privilege (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
- When I am tempted to long for my pre-kid days where life seemed easier and filled with more opportunities to go to the gym, I see that the challenges are causing me to bear fruit (James 1:4).
- When my kids are sick, I am pointed to Christ who came to be our healer (Psalm 103:1-5).
- When I want to do great things and be known and have the praise of man, I call to mind that my greatest accomplishment is actually in the quiet, faithful work of lovingly serving the ones that He has entrusted me with (Colossians 3:23).
The other day as I was rocking my poor, ill Happy Baby and he was clinging to me so close we were practically a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, he pressed his lips to my ear and whispered, “I love you, Mommy.”
As we sat there together, tears filled my eyes and pleasure filled my soul and suddenly the cleaning and changing and wiping and things breaking and Cloroxing and the holding and cooking (and often the holding while cooking) and driving and almost-losing-my-minding and praying and sacrificing and serving, all felt like an absolute breeze – a JOY even – in light of the gift that is motherhood.
So sweet mama who sometimes feels disappointed by motherhood, I pray He gives your heart a fresh perspective today. A perspective that can see beyond the poo in the carpets and the sleepless nights and into the eyes of a Savior who considered it pure joy to give YOU everything He had.
Motherhood is teaching me this.
And I’m pretty sure that nothing else could have prepared me for the transforming power of that glorious truth.
– Julie 🙂
WOW! Thank you! I need to read this one every week! Love and many more blessings to you!:-)
Love this blog thank you for your honesty and encouragement
Thank you for being most likely to succeed in blogging :). Every post I read is always timely and on point! Your writing is a gift from God straight to me! Thank you kindly for being true to yourself and sharing all of you with all of us! Forever blessed by your writing!
Thank you so much for that post. I totally understand what you are dealing with. Conceiving our twins became a chore to the point our marriage began to suffer. And lay night the three hour screaming bed time was least desirable to say the least. But his morning when all your 12 week old twins do is smile from ear to ear the blessings from God truly shine! Thank you for your post
Love Kate and the Hatchlings
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Beautiful!! Thank you! I needed this reminder after a long week:) I love your blog/ teaching. You are an inspiration:) big hugs!!
Julie, I am so happy that I found your blog months ago! Your words are so inspiring to me as I relate to so much that you talk about. I too was crippled by fear when my first child was born, but through faith have persevered. We now have 2 children, 6 and 3, I can’t say those fears are gone but I have learned to rely on the higher being in my hardest times. It is so nice to know that their are others similar to me with some of the same struggles, so thank you for your words and great ideas!
Julie, i love your honesty. This post came at i time when i really needed it. I had a horrible-worst-mom-ever day yesterday and your words and the scriptures provided help re-fill my soul. God works in amazing ways. Thanks!
I am right in the thick of it as well, thanks for this godly encouragement!
Oh Julie, this was absolutely amazing! Just this morning I was laying in bed and telling my husband that I felt like I was failing as a mommy, that I wasn’t doing anything right. And then 2 hours later I opened my email to your words and almost began to cry. Thank you for sharing and reminding me that my messy life is still beautiful and perfect.
Julie, your posts always come at the time I need them most. God has definitely worked over us for this to be so. Thank you for another honest, beautiful post.
What a great post! I really needed to hear this tonight. I love your blog and your writing. You bring encouragement to me in every post. Thank you!
I was not, am not prepared for the teenage years which snuck up out of nowhere!!! Great post!!
Thank you so much for sharing your love and your wisdom here. Often your posts come at just to right time to encourage me or redirect my prideful heart. Your work is such a gift.
I needed this today! Thank you, Julie!
I wasn’t prepared (and felt guilty for) actually plotting to give my three year old away to another mother after she woke up one midnight not liking the pajamas she had on and screamed loud enough to rouse the neighbors’ and their dogs for TWO HOURS….I never knew a tiny body can hold so much resentment! Thank you for the inspiring post and the scripture….I print them out and read whenever I feel like resigning from motherhood. Lots of love.
I just love your heart for mamas, thanks for sharing this encouragement today!
Well said, my friend.
I am so thankful to have found your blog earlier this month. I definitely needed to hear these words today. Your honesty is so refreshing. Such a blessing! Thank you! 🙂
Really needed to read this right now. THANK YOU! Love the Bible verse references.
Thanks for the humble encouragement! So recognizable and a great reminder to stay focussed on the Rock and that what truly matters. Have a great day!
Thank you – such a blessing
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this. Thank you SO much for this post!
You are always an encouragement. Your website and Instagram always cheers me up and reminds me to keep my eyes on the Lord. 🙂
Thank you, sweet Jen. This encouragement blessed me tonight! <3