Being a Mama has changed almost everything about me. Mostly in a good way, although there are always areas of improvement. ;)
1769. Being a Mama has taught me about sacrifice, and I am thankful for that. I want new clothes or shoes, but the kiddos
need them.
1770. Being a Mama has taught me about patience, and although this is the area that I still need work, I am thankful.
1771. Being a Mama has taught me the gift of endurance, and I am thankful for that. Days are long; days are hard. But getting through them together teaches me that endurance pays off. Continually working on tone of voice with Birdie is hard, but times when I hear her speak to others with kindness reminds my heart that she is learning. It just takes time.
1772. Being a Mama has taught me the appreciation of rest, and I am thankful for it. Before having kiddos I took naps and 8 solid hours of sleep at night for granted. Now there are kids to clean up after during the day, sick children to comfort in the night, nightmares to be shoo-ed away. I know fully what it means now to "Come to me all you who are heavy burdened and I {Jesus} will give you rest." Many days the only rest I get is during quiet moments spent with Him.
1773. Being a Mama has taught me how to play, and I am thankful. I used to be self-conscious about acting silly. Now, it's just part of my every day. The Daddy has been the best teacher of this for me. Our kiddos respond to our silly antics and think it's a hoot when Mama and Daddy act like monsters, play freeze tag, sing in silly voices. My kiddos have helped me lighten up. :)
1774. Being a Mama has also taught me to give myself grace, and I am so thankful for this. Where I used to see imperfections every time I looked in a mirror, now I see evidence of being a Mama. Wrinkles? It's because I smile and laugh so hard with my kiddos every day. Flabby parts? It's because I'm making memories in the kitchen so often with my kiddos instead of working out for those 45 minutes.
1775. Being a Mama has taught me about compassion, and I am thankful. I tend to get aggravated when my kiddos get hurt doing something they shouldn't be doing. When they trip on the stairs, my first reaction is often, "You know you shouldn't play on the stairs!" But the Holy Spirit convicted me not so long ago. When I do something wrong and cry out to God, His response is not, "Well, I told you so." No, it's of forgiveness, grace, and compassion. He doesn't shake His finger at me and condemn me. He wraps His love around me in a blanket of compassion.
1776. Being a Mama has taught me the most about unconditional love, and for this I am the most thankful. Kiddos are hard work. There are days when I have wanted to throw in the towel, let someone else raise them during the day instead of homeschooling them. Days when dropping them off at Nana's house or calling Mimi to get them for the weekend would give me time to focus on ME and just not deal with them for a while. But oh, how glad I am that God doesn't do that to me. And I am able to look at my children through His eyes of love. I am reminded that they are not truly my children, but they are His. Oh, when I see my children as
His children my heart can change in an instant. I am brought to my knees by His love for them as His children.....and His love for me as His child.
1777. Being a Mama is hard work. But it's also the most rewarding and most precious experience. Being a Mama has forced me to take my eyes off of myself and turn them towards my Savior like nothing else before. And because of that, I am the most grateful to be a Mother.
Psalm 92:1-3, "What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God! To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night."
