I've just picked up a book that I started reading months ago but kept putting down for one reason or another. It wasn't because it wasn't good - it's been good so far. Now that I've started back into it, I'm thinking it was hitting me too hard in the gut of mom'hood back then. After getting back into it and picking up where I left off, it's no different. Gut punches galore. But for some reason it keeps drawing me back in.... as if I'm in the right place to receive the gut-punching now. Sounds weird, I know. But you know what I mean? It's like someone telling you that you need to do XYZ. Deep down you know you should, but you just aren't ready to make that change or do what is necessary to make things right, or whatever the circumstance may be. Then one day something changes in your mind and when it's mentioned again, you're open to it and almost look forward to finally defeating the fuzzy-headed scabby troll that's had a hold of you.
Don't get too far away from me here. I'm open to the punches, but they still hurt a lot. The first punch tells me I'm probably not going to win mom of the year. Oh well, no surprise. That's okay, let someone else take that award - I'm just happy that my kids love me. Then out of nowhere, that second punch almost takes me out when it whispers 'But are you sure they love you? How do you know?' Ouch. I have to quickly get back on my feet or the next punch will be my undoing. It's funny how your head can be your cheerleader at times, making you feel like you could climb Mt. Whodathunk without any survival equipment. Yet other times it can tear you apart with the "what if"'s and doubts directly from Satan's bag of tricks.
This book is giving me so many jewels to put in my Mom crown that make me feel normal. Psycho, yet normal all at the same time. If you're a mom, you get it. We'll all take that award together and bask in the glow of the spotlight when we go on stage to receive it.
I'll leave you with this for now, taken directly from Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst:
"And suddenly it occurred to me: With God, I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen, but a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom.
God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me, and change me.
Forgiveness is there. Love is there. A second chance is there. And another one after that.
You are a good mom, my friend... even if like me you've had a few bad moments. You are exactly the mom God knew your children needed. Let's live in that truth today."
Did you get that? You are exactly the mom God knew your children needed. Period.
Don't get too far away from me here. I'm open to the punches, but they still hurt a lot. The first punch tells me I'm probably not going to win mom of the year. Oh well, no surprise. That's okay, let someone else take that award - I'm just happy that my kids love me. Then out of nowhere, that second punch almost takes me out when it whispers 'But are you sure they love you? How do you know?' Ouch. I have to quickly get back on my feet or the next punch will be my undoing. It's funny how your head can be your cheerleader at times, making you feel like you could climb Mt. Whodathunk without any survival equipment. Yet other times it can tear you apart with the "what if"'s and doubts directly from Satan's bag of tricks.
This book is giving me so many jewels to put in my Mom crown that make me feel normal. Psycho, yet normal all at the same time. If you're a mom, you get it. We'll all take that award together and bask in the glow of the spotlight when we go on stage to receive it.
I'll leave you with this for now, taken directly from Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst:
"And suddenly it occurred to me: With God, I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen, but a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom.
God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me, and change me.
Forgiveness is there. Love is there. A second chance is there. And another one after that.
You are a good mom, my friend... even if like me you've had a few bad moments. You are exactly the mom God knew your children needed. Let's live in that truth today."
Did you get that? You are exactly the mom God knew your children needed. Period.