Forgiveness | Texting the Truth

Janelle

Today I’m excited to introduce you to a special mom in progress. She has encouraged me as a wife and mom, and she is also my little sister! We have always been close, but our friendship has changed over the years as we have grown up, married, had kids, and become distinct women with different interests and talents.

Hello! Please introduce our readers to your family, Brittany.

Brittany

Hi! My wonderful husband Dave and I have been married for 11 years. (Kinda funny but we met and married in only 7 months! ?) We have two boys ages 6 and 7. Together we run a welding and metal fabrication business out of a shop on our property here in Idaho. I also homeschool our boys and they help take care of numerous creatures including 3 Jersey cows, 2 ponies, a couple of horses, lots of dogs, cats, ducks and chickens. We enjoy many activities including reading aloud as a family, downhill skiing, boating, dirt biking, riding horses, shooting, and flying. My husband is a visionary and our life is rich with many experiences! ? I love being along for the ride on this adventure with him!

Janelle

Your life is definitely a fun adventure! Can you share a truth that has helped you navigate your busy life more smoothly?

Brittany

This morning I woke up with Proverbs 15:1 playing over and over in my head: “A soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir up anger.” It sparked a very good conversation with my oldest son which included me asking his forgiveness for NOT giving a soft answer.

Janelle

Hmmm, yes. I’ve been there too. Isn’t it funny that God often gives us the chance to apply what He’s been teaching us? That’s awesome that you used the opportunity to teach your son and model asking forgiveness when you messed up. What would you say is your hardest parenting struggle currently?

Brittany

My words. I tend to be harsh and frustrated in my choice of words and tone. God gently reminded me that it’s sin. It’s not a minor little detail. It’s big. And I want to start thinking of it and dealing with it like the big deal it is.

Janelle

That’s so true. What a great change in perspective! I would guess thinking about it as sin makes you more aware of the words you say and even the tone you use. Is there something that is going well in your mothering journey?

Brittany

As I write this, my boys and I are just back from an awesome ski day at our local ski resort. We have so much fun together doing all sorts of activities and I’m grateful for a lifestyle that allows us to go skiing instead of doing school! ? But we do school sometimes too.. ?

Janelle

Ha! I think most kids would love to be able to go skiing instead of going to school! Talk about getting out of a not-always-fun task! Is there a chore that you would rather not do??

Brittany

Haha. Clean. But does anybody really like to clean? ? Besides you?

Janelle

Hey now! I’m sure there are a few other people in the world that don’t mind cleaning too much!? When you’re not busy cleaning up after your kids or animals, what is your favorite outdoor activity to do as a family?

Brittany

We love to ride dirt bikes together in the desert or mountains near where we live. It’s a total boy activity, but I like to go along and carry the snacks and water on my bike which has a handy little rack. ?

Janelle

Super cool. What’s your favorite movie these days?

Brittany

Captain America? Haven’t seen too many movies lately unless you count running documentaries which I watch while I run on the treadmill… ?‍

Janelle

Yes, that marathon we’re training for allows for lots of movies on the treadmill. ? Do you have a favorite app or podcast?

Brittany

Trulia. I like looking at houses.

Janelle

One of my favorite pastimes as well. ? How about something yummy you’ve cooked lately?

Brittany

Oooo these little chicken pita wrap thingys from Costco that only take 50 seconds in the microwave! They are delish! And talk about quick meal prep too. It’s a win-win in my world. ??

Janelle

That’s a win-win in any busy mom’s life! Something that’s yummy and easy! What are you learning in marriage or motherhood?

Brittany

I’m learning that even when my life doesn’t seem to look like anyone else’s, that’s ok. It’s sometimes a disaster and scattered and I occasionally worry my children will never learn to write legibly, but God gave me a wonderful man to honor and these young boys to shepherd and love. He knows what’s on my plate and He will equip me for the work.

Janelle

That’s a good reminder for all of us- that God sees and knows and cares and He will give us the tools we need to do the job, however messy it may be. Thank you for sharing with us today! Love ya!

Do you have a story to tell? Would you like to be featured in a future Moms in Progress post? Just click here and answer a few questions to share the details of your story. We will do the rest!

Virginia

Welcome to MiP Wednesday, Mamas! Today we’re featuring Laura Freytag, another fabulous Texting the Truth writer.

Laura, please tell us a little bit about yourself and share a family photo!

Laura

Hi everyone! This is our family picture from our most recent family vacation. For being 97 degrees and a heat index in the triple digits, we look pretty good!

Virginia

What a cute family pic!

What truth have you heard this week that has helped you?

Laura

I’ve been doing the First 5 study of Acts this summer. It’s an older study, but I wanted to re-read Acts to prepare for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) this fall. Anyway, I’ve been struck with the power of the Spirit. That same power that filled those early believers fills me. It’s been helping me to ask in prayer for the power to have self-control in my areas of weakness (eating, exercising, patience).

Virginia

That’s awesome! We could all use more of that power.

What’s your hardest parenting struggle currently?

Laura

I have been very short of patience lately. My boys are so loud and they seem to not move unless I yell. I don’t like it. I don’t want to spend my summer days (or any other days) shouting. In the past I’ve yelled because I’ve wanted to be in control and I’ve tried to deal with that impulse. But this feels different, like a new layer of anger to deal with. I think the source of this anger is feeling like my words and opinions are not valued or respected. I find myself asking, “Am I talking out loud?” or “Am I invisible?” I’m still working on this, but I know that something needs to change.

Virginia

Laura, this was me six months ago! I know a lot of moms struggle feeling undervalued. I can tell you’re going to get at the root and work on it. Having the Holy Spirit’s power within you will help, big time!

Let’s focus on some good stuff. What is going well?

Laura

We are still pretty successfully using our sticker/stamp charts. As we get closer to the end of summer we are starting to decide what rewards will be given for the hard work. I am very glad that I have decided to teach the older boys some simple chores. They are learning to clean the bathroom sinks which is such a big help to me. And my oldest son’s personal goal was to learn to make his own breakfast. That is also a big help. I have enjoyed watching them take on new responsibilities.

Virginia

Way to go, mama! Your boys’ future wives will thank you as well! ?

What is your most embarrassing mom fail?

Laura

Ummm… There are so many. I think the one that stung the most came last summer when I had all 4 boys at Aldi with me. The boys weren’t exactly misbehaving, but they were being loud! We were looking at new lunch boxes and a plastic organizer for lunches to be packed in. I wanted to make sure that they could open each compartment on their own. So I was showing them how to open and close each one. How to put the water bottle in just right, and how to zip the lunch bag around the box. Anyway, they were excited, and we were definitely taking our half of the aisle out of the middle. We had already been in another shopper’s way once and we were clearly in his way again (because we were in everyone’s way). But he had no sympathy for this mother of 4 young boys. Then my youngest said something rude about him (not exactly to him, but we were being quite loud, remember). He said something like “Why is that man so fat?” Well this man heard it and he yelled at me that I should put my children in a zoo. That I was raising rude and disrespectful children. And that I should teach my children better manners, and that he deserved an apology from my 3 year old. He scared my boys so much that they flocked to me. I didn’t know what to say. It all happened so fast. I knew that when my youngest said that, I was thinking I was going to have him say he was sorry. But then when this man yelled at me I was so startled. I couldn’t think straight. And did my little boy really need to apologize to a 60 something man who was yelling at a mother in a grocery store? Anyway, the man went around the corner to the next row. We stayed where we were and all cried a little. It’s not like the store was that big, and I’m sure everyone heard him yelling at us. I was so embarrassed. Obviously that man was hurting and angry, but I did not handle the situation well. Later I wished I had spoken back to him and defended my boys better. But he hit a nerve in me. I always worry that my gaggle of boys is “too much” for people. And we are overwhelming. I do not have a wall flower in my bunch. But on the other hand, we are who we are. Sigh.

Virginia

You are who you are, and who God made y’all to be! Nothing wrong with that at all. You were gracious to give that guy some credit.

OK, one last question: What is your favorite summer activity to do as a family?

Laura

We have been spending a lot of time at the pool! Everyone is happy at the pool.

Virginia

Amen to that, sister! Laura, thank you so much for being with us today, and for writing on the blog (since the very beginning)! We are so glad you’re part of the team.

Laura

Thanks Virginia. This blog helps me to process life as a mom. Motherhood is not an easy job, but I love that my job is made easier by other moms around me experiencing the same struggles. I know that God is with us as we continue to make progress in each aspect of struggle and strength that He has built into our beings.

Do you have a story to tell? Would you like to be featured in a future Moms in Progress post? Just click here (or the image above) and answer a few questions including the details of your story. We will do the rest.

Tag Archives: Forgiveness

Moms in Progress: Brittany Stark

Moms in Progress: Laura Freytag