Sunday, July 24, 2011

motherhood is a {hard} calling


Being a mom is hard. Our kids are adorable and precious and cute and there are tons of joys and sweet moments but its still hard. really, really hard. Kids know how to push buttons, their emotions are complicated, there's always drama: the highs are so high and the lows are crazy low. They have needs and wants all.the.time, and they rarely appreciate what it takes to keep everything going, let alone to make the fun stuff happen. They sin: their bad attitudes and character flaws make me cringe. they fight, complain and whine. They don't eat, sleep or go potty on command. They require teaching, explaining, consequences, training and re-training. They make messes, have fits, try my patience and bring me to tears of frustration like i've never experienced before.

I am often guilty of living in "wishland"- just wishing i could have a quiet night, a peaceful nap time, an uninterrupted hour to craft, a day without any discipline issues..blah, blah, blah.
But the fact is, they are gifts to me. I am their mom and being their mom is not a hobby, its a calling. and it requires sacrifice. I read this article by a fellow mom tonight and it convicted me more than anything i have ever heard. Here's a quote that brings it all into perspective.

"Live the gospel in the things that no one sees. Sacrifice for your children in places that only they will know about. Put their value ahead of yours. Grow them up in the clean air of gospel living. Your testimony to the gospel in the little details of your life is more valuable to them than you can imagine. If you tell them the gospel, but live to yourself, they will never believe it. Give your life for theirs every day, joyfully. Lay down pettiness. Lay down fussiness. Lay down resentment about the dishes, about the laundry, about how no one knows how hard you work. Stop clinging to yourself and cling to the cross. There is more joy and more life and more laughter on the other side of death than you can possibly carry alone."  
{click here to read the full article}

A few weeks ago, i was especially stressed; the kids had been acting out, there was tons to do on my list, i was tired and cranky and apparently all that showed on my face without me realizing it. That is until, Sophie came up to me and with a sweetly concerned look, put her hand out to touch me and asked, "Mommy, what is wrong with your face? It is sad." I'd like to think my kids surely don't notice and aren't affected by MY sin, but i know that isn't true and that's why this article was something i SO needed to hear and hopefully remember. Anyway, i know this post is fairly random and a bit out of no where, but since i don't journal, this blog is the best place to keep record of it. :) Hopefully it will encourage and challenge you too. :)

 A simple project is coming tomorrow. OH, and this sweet picture of Baby Ben and me was taken by my lovely sister.


linking to: capturing motherhood/

118 comments:

Anonymous said...

I struggle with this, too. Some days are h.a.r.d. and that is all there is to it. It IS a calling. I love my kids but without that realizaton, it all gets lost in the juggle of life.

Great reminder!

Unknown said...

thanks for sharing this; it really keeps things in perspective.

Gaspord Adventures said...

Three cheers for you Meagan! I am just beginning to see how hard motherhood is and I am so glad you posted this. It IS convicting but oh so very true!
Love you!

Jaimee said...

a great post for me to read, even though I'm not a mommy yet. still convicting in how I respond/live towards my family and others. Thanks for sharing!
And I love, love, love the pic!

Cailan said...

I so appreciate your encouragement, Sister. You know I need it too!

The Olive Tree Blog said...

of course it can be hard...as I type I have a 2 years using my legs as monkey bars...lol...but he rewards are always better that the "hard" moments :) ps. If only we paid to be mommies!

The Olive Tree Blog said...

Thanks for linking up and great post ;)

Anonymous said...

I love this post. It is so so very true! Mommyhood is so hard, but it IS rewarding. It's the best job in the world. Your little Sophie sounds like a real sweet-heart who is tuned in to her mommy. :0) Great picture of you and your little guy! (Found you through the Olive Tree.)

Jackie said...

I love this.. and I had a friend send me the same article last night. I wholeheartedly agree. I told her how just yesterday I overheard my daughters saying, "What is mommy's job?" The other answered, "Taking care of us." Daughter #2 said, "No what is her real job?" Daughter #1, "Her REAL job is taking care of us." I'm so glad she knows it is a REAL job... a real calling.. and a real gift just as you said.

hill said...

beautiful words, beautiful photo, beautiful. heading over to read that article right now. thank you for linking up and for sharing these beautiful and wonderful words. we all needed to hear them.
xoxo.

Katie said...

Mothering is such an important, hard job. So true. So much of what we do goes unseen, and honestly it stinks not getting the credit—especially on those days when the house is still a mess when my husband gets home and it doesn't look like I've "done" anything :).
Fortunately I'm constantly reminded how important it is to raise my children regardless. We've been studying discipleship in our church for a while, and a light bulb went off. My children are my disciples. I may not be "out in the world" enough to make a big impact, but I do have a wonderful opportunity to make an impact in my own home. And that's where it all starts. It was a realization that reminded me of how important my job was as a mom, at home. And the pay off and influence it will have on my children and their lives is huge.

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