Motherhood, an opportunty of learning and growth

Nobody told me what an incredibly hard job being a mama was going to be. I mean, I didn't expect to float through a la June Cleaver but, some days I tend to feel more like Joan Crawford.

The day my son was born it was like stepping into a whole new world and I saw my surroundings through a different pair of goggles.  I wanted to do everything in my power to protect him from harms way.  I cringed when other mama's would pick up a dropped Binky, pop it in their mouth to "clean it off" and hand it back over to the squealing child. I quickly realized that when push comes to shove you have to do what is necessary to keep a fussy baby happy.

Hence the nighttime car rides.

The hours of rocking in the chair and just when you thought it was safe to put the little precious cherub in his bed, his eyes would pop open and he'd grin.
I remember being so frustrated and sleep deprived. Some nights I would grumble to myself that all I wanted is some time to myself. Yet, that still small voice was constantly reminding me that these days were fleeting. Some day I would long to rock my baby to sleep again even if it took me hours some nights.
And He was right.

Each age and stage has come with it share of joys and frustrations. Just when you think you're in the all clear and things are starting to settle down, there's a new 'stage' waiting around the bend. The still small voice continues to remind me "these days are fleeting".

I remember the early days when I would occasionally have to stay home with him because he had a cold.
We would curl up together and snuggle all day.  Sometimes we would get down on the floor (covered in toys) and play together. He would toddle over and shower me with wet, sticky, baby kisses.  Even though I wasn't able to stay home with him full time, I cling to those moments and cherish the sloppy kisses and the crunch of a random Cheerio underfoot.

I watch him now at ten years old. My mama was right, it doesn't matter how old your children get, you can still see glimpses of the baby you cradled way back when.

He's taught me so much in the ten years I've known him and I'm still learning.
For all of those times I've lost my patience and my cool,  he still hugs me every night and sometimes (when I feel the least worthy) he tells me I'm the best mom ever.

Just like Jesus would.

Those moments when we haven't set the best example, when we've said or done something truly regretful, Jesus is right there to tuck US in at night. Just as I ask my son for forgiveness on those rotten days, we can ask Jesus to forgive us. We can ask Him to make us better mama's, give us wisdom as parents, show us how to be the mama our children need us to be.

Because I don't know about you, but my son didn't come with an owners manual.  That's where God's word comes into play right?

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6


Mother's Day Blessings!