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Hi, friend! So I have a confession. The last few days have been entirely overwhelming.š
Oh no! Whatās going on? Are you OK? Ā
I am, thank you! And ironically, thereās not one particular thing that I can pinpoint for the craziness. Itās just been a blur of potty training (mishaps), busy schedules with hubby working a ton, trying to get life back in order around here after Owenās time in the hospital this winter…and just a few of those days where youāre bone tired at the end of the night as you *fall* into bed.
Oh, I get that. It seems like the times when I am most overwhelmed are the days when Iām just trying to get my ducks in a row. And they arenāt cooperating.šš³
Ha! Love that. I wonder if ducks are potty trained?!
LOL, sometimes I think it would be easier to potty train a duck than a little boy!
Speaking of ācleaning house,ā Iāve been thinking about my heart these last few days and how I might possibly do it all, then I realized that expectation will never be realistic. Iām not meant to do it all (which can be so hard)!
Iām so glad that you texted me, because youāre right – you are not meant to do it all. But we sure do try, donāt we? I have a friend who always likes to remind me that Iām not superwoman.šŖ Haha — I really need that reminder from time to time!!š
I have such a hard time asking for help- and when I look around thereās an incredible support system that God has gifted me! I have to remember to ālook upā from my focus and take note.
Thatās so true. Just look up. I do that same thing and forget to look up and reach out. But when I do, Iām so glad I did! Why do you think we hesitate so much???
Thatās a great question. Maybe itās partly society telling us that we should be able to do it all, maybe weāre trying to keep up with the expectations of another, and for me, my personality comes into play – I am definitely most comfortable when I can do things myself.
Iām right there with you. And if Iām being honest, I donāt want to seem needy. Or I think other moms donāt have time for this. I donāt want to bother them. Or they wonāt understand. But… I donāt think thatās the way God designed us to live! All self-sufficient!
Yes, yes, and yes! I know that all of the people Heās put in my path – family members, friends, even strangers – Heās given me purposefully.
I think youāre right. My pastor says God designed us to be we-centered, not me-centered. And that really changes my whole view of reaching out for support. IF I believe that God put those people in my path (and Iāve been put in their path to support them too), then reaching out doesnāt seem so intimidating. In fact, if I DONāT reach out, Iām really not accepting some blessings from God that Heās trying to give.
Exactly. But then I find myself also having to remember that the help Iāve been willing to reach out and accept will never satisfy my heart in the way that only God can. It reminds me of the metaphor you said recently: we canāt stand on shaky ground (the people/situations around us) and expect to feel grounded. Our feet need to always make it back to solid ground – our rock in Him.
It goes back to standing on our identity in Christ. Because there are some times when a friend or hubby has not supported me in the way I was hoping. They didnāt have the right words I was hoping for at the time or they just werenāt available. But those are the times I think God wants me to lean on just Him. Or come back to Him.
Absolutely, my friend! There is no greater rock than Him. Just know that if you ever need an earthly hand, Iāve always got your back! š
Right back at ya! Us moms gotta stick together. šš#bemomstrong
Soaking in the Truth
Scripture to encourage you:
- āTherefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.ā (Thessalonians 5:11)
- āEvery good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.ā (James 1:17)
- āLead me to the rock that is higher than I.ā (Psalm 61:2)
Ā Ā Ā Ā Music to inspire you:
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- Steven Curtis Chapman, āI Will Be Hereā
- Brenton Brown, āGod My Rockā
- Nicole Nordeman, āThe Unmakingā
- Watermark, āMore Than Youāll Ever Knowā
Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:
- 8 Keys to Building a Strong Support System
- Parenting the Whole-Hearted Child: Captivating Yor Childās Heart with Godās Extravagant Grace, by Jeannie Cunnion
Related Posts on Texting The Truth:
- Shifting GroundĀ
- Finding Identity in Our Maker
- Real Security, Real Strength
Living Out the Truth
Ideas to try:
- Take a minute to lift someone up today, in whatever way that might be (a word of wisdom or encouragement, a smile, a helping hand)!
- Bring food or a favorite drink! Haha, but really, food makes a lot of people happy. For example, my officemate brought me my favorite blueberry iced tea the other day, and it totally made my morning!
- Pay it forward. Has someone done something kind for you today? Make it a fun mission to share with your children – How can you keep that love going!
- Visit people when theyāre in the hospital. You donāt have to stay very long; just a quick visit goes a long way to show that you support them.
- When you know a friend is going through a tough time, put it in your calendar to check on them regularly, whether itās daily, weekly, or even monthly.
- Join a Momās group in your church or community to encourage fellowship with other mamas out there in the trenches.
Treasured Products we love:
- āCelebrate Calmā CD collection, by Kirk Martin. Ā Ā These CDs, the whole collection (Stressed Out Moms, Discipline That Works, Straight Talk for Dads, and more), are awesome. I love listening to them over and over again in the car or while Iām doing chores.Ā
- Better Together Because Youāre Not Meant to Mom Alone by Jill Savage
{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}