My Cup Runneth Over... Sweet lessons from the Lord

Don't you love those moments when you just feel overwhelmed with God's love for you and you almost feel Him just pouring His love and truth into your heart? 

I just had one of those moments and let me tell you my cup runneth over! 

I just finished up reading the "Be the Mom" book that I have been blogging about some.  All I can say is WOW.  If you are a mom, this book is essential for you to read!

I know that ever since I decided to stay at home with Caroline, that I have had a hard time finding my purpose.  Going from working outside of the home and contributing to the family finances to not working and teaching a few piano lessons that amount to less than $100 per month really was a blow to my perception of how to be an effective member and contributing member of my family.

Sure I always knew that being a mama was important, but all last school year I struggled to find myself.  What was I supposed to be doing?  Was I doing this stay-at-home mama thing right? 

I will tell you some things I learned I was NOT supposed to do.

1)  Clean my house all the time and expect it to stay clean.

This wore me out.  I felt like I didn't get anything accomplished. I have two tornadoes that live here named Callie and Caroline.  Neither of them exactly know how to clean up a mess very well or how to keep from making messes.  So, I learned to divide and conquer my tasks and at times to "embrace the mess." Still hard to do, but I think I am a little better than I used to be.

AND

2)  Try to keep up with and be like some of these bloggy stay-at-home-moms.

I don't know about you, but if I start reading blogs online, I start to feel like I don't fall into this stereotypical stay-at-home-mom mold that that says she is supposed to sew all day, have a perfect house, and constantly be doing crafts and educational projects with her kids.  Hey y'all - I can't do all of that!  I admit it!

So, I feel like I wasted a year of time at home in some respects.  I wish I had worked more with Caroline last year on reading to her every day, not worrying about those clothes that needed washing (that could have waited), and spent more quality time with Callie after I picked her up from school.

After reading this book, "Be the Mom," I think I have finally started to realize what I am made for, what I was made to do, and how much God values me as a mother.  No matter what anyone thinks or says, I am the person that God has entrusted to my children to be their mother.  I will mess this thing up many times, but He is here to help me.  You don't ever figure out this stay-at-home mom thing.  You just need to "BE THE MOM!" and the best one you can be at that.

One more story, and then I will end this blog novel. :)

As many of you know, Caroline has NEVER slept well since she was born.  Callie was my dream child as far as sleep goes.  Caroline, on the other hand, has a hard time going to sleep sometimes, and then ultimately she has a hard time staying asleep.  This has left me feeling angry, bitter, and sleep-deprived for almost 2 years now.  I don't know about you, but an almost 2 year old waking me up from my sleep at 3:00 am and demanding certain things and screaming unless she gets her way does not bring out the best in me.  In fact, it brings out the worst.  This leaves me feeling guilty beyond measure.  I realize how selfish I am and how selfless I need to be.

What really got me this morning, when I finished up the book, was reading those last few words of Tracey's encouragement.  She said something along the lines of, "God is using your children to make you the person and woman He wants you to be."

Whew! I'm tell you, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I felt God speaking this to my heart and reminding me that not only did He make Caroline this way (strong-willed, hard-headed, demanding, yet sweet all at the same time) for a purpose, but He has entrusted her to be her mom because He knew I was the woman for the job.  He's also using her in my life to mold me and shape me into the woman He wants me to be - which is selfless, having a servant's heart, patient, kind, and all of those other fruits of the Spirit.  The thought still brings tears to my eyes.

Oh how He loves us!

I had never put two and two together like that, but it changes my perspective a lot on the entire topic of being a mother to my children.  God loves me so much that He sent me these particular children.  He made me them the way that they are and me the way I am and knew that I would be the perfect woman for the job.  The same goes for you too.

If that doesn't make you feel good today, then I don't know what will!

Love on your babies!

Be the Mom!

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