joyful motherhood

Posted on by

“…by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned….”  2 Corinthians 6:6

 

Look.  Really look for the joy.  A potato thrown into the washing machine by little hands.  A silly face drawn in crayon on the wall by a four year old.  The unexpected note, story, or list left behind by a beginning writer.  The funny things they say.  The funny noises they make when you least expect it.

 

Listen.  Really listen.  That soft, trusting little voice asking YOU for something.  The prayers they pray at mealtimes “Thank you that Mom took us to the liberry today”, their hopes and dreams.  “I want to fly, Mom”…….the stories they tell, the songs they sing or play, the conversations they have with each other.  They are amazing.

 

Stop.  Just stop.  The house can wait.  Sit down on the floor and see what happens.  Someone will come near sooner than you think.  They will bring a book, or a toy, or just come flop in your lap.  You can tickle them.  Or, read a book to them as you sniff their hair and wonder when you gave them their last bath.

 

Write.  Keep paper near.  Put dates on everything because time doesn’t stop for anyone.  You’ll forget who said what when.  Write the things that make you laugh.  Write the things that are in your heart, what you see there and what you are thankful for.  These are the things you will remember and talk about when they ask for stories about who they are.

 

Say yes because it makes your heart grow big.  Yes to the pancakes when you didn’t get much sleep the night before.  Yes to the running around outside in the rain, yes to “one more time, two more times, three more times” of the SAME book, yes to more minutes before bed time.  Yes to bubbles in the tub.  Smile big when you say yes.

 

Smile, too, when they wake up from their nap.  Let your babies see your smile and happy loving eyes.  Show them with your face that you think they are precious, wondrous treasures, because they are.

 

Snap.  Take pictures with your camera that will soften your heart and put a tear in your eye later on when life slows back down.  Instead of crying over the spills, photograph them.  Instead of yelling at the toddler who gave the baby her first cracker, find the humor in the moment and grab the camera.  These are the things our daily life is made of and it is beautiful.

Pray.  That God will open the eyes and give wisdom to the mother-heart.  The heart He made and gave you…..He knows our needs and offers abundant resources of peace, joy, love, and grace.

0 thoughts on “joyful motherhood”

  1. Shanda~Thank you for such a wonderful and timely reminder! I would admit that I all too often take for granted these moments in time that the Lord has afforded me with MaKayla and Mallary. Moments that will soon be gone…Moments to never be repeated…Moments that are invaluable. The Lord has been constantly reminding me that, “I get only one chance at raising our girls in the nurture and admonition of HIM!” Yet as we raise and nurture, we should do our best to enjoy the journey…making joyful moments daily.May the blessings of the Lord be in abundance to you this day~Mendiwww.simpleandsurrendered.blogspot.com

    Reply ↓

  2. Marks on the wall, trampled grass, wallpaper pealed off wall.  – I love it all because it’s signs we have kids.  Thanks for the reminder.  Have a great Jesus filled day.

    Reply ↓

  12. Thank you Shan for this.  I needed to read this today.  I’m going to print it and remind myself of these things often.  It was so well put and it was what God was speaking to me about last night and this morning.  Love you, Lish

    Reply ↓

  13. So true, you do live what you say and that makes it all mean so much more. : ) I have purposed to try writing down those cute things they say as soon as they say it. I’ve been keeping a better journal/calendar and that would be a good place to just jot it down. Thanks! : ) I love greeting my kids with a big smile and a “Good Morning!” when they get up. JuliAnna is so quick to get on to me if I miss. “GOOD MORNING, MOMMY! Gooooooood morning!”. lol

    Reply ↓

  16. Beautifully written! I do make it a point to do all those things especially because this is my first baby. I think it will take more conscious work though once the 2nd or 3rd come along. I hope I never lose this wonderment of my baby. (lol, I just had to stop what I was typing to catch her real quick from falling and then we had to read 3 books) 🙂 The one thing I have been trying to make more of a point of doing is pulling out my little Flip video camera. I want to always remember the noises she makes, the sound of her voice, her grunts and giggles. Her first attempts at crawling and pulling up and learning to walk. Sometimes when I am just too tired to go in with a smile to get her up, I give myself a minute before opening her door and then every time without fail I give her the cheeriest and happiest “Good Morning!!!” It gets an immediate smile in return. Now, I may need this reminder in a couple years when there is another one though. lol

    Reply ↓

  20. Well said!!!  Thanks!  I struggle with putting too much pressure on myself to have everything done around here, and a bit of a high standard.  It is all wearing me out some days.  Before the older four were in school I was so much better about stopping and taking time, but now we seem so rushed many days.  We are pulling in for the winter, taking some time off from all the activities, I believe.  I don’t want to miss a minute the Lord has blessed me with as a mom of my six and wife to my husband.  I have allowed too many good things rob us of slowing down and taking time.  It is a balancing act.  Loved the part about the bath; made me laugh.  Thanks for the encouragement.  May the Lord bless you and yours this beautiful fall day. ~Deborah

    Reply ↓

  21. so precious Shanda! I will take good care of my last boy today while he is sick,and bring him some soup etc. David and I had a conversation the other day about why children write on walls…He said,” it is because it will stay there and you know where your drawing is!”

    Reply ↓

  22. Thank you for the reminder. I try to tell myself when the housework becomes overwhelming and the house sounds like a zoo that one day the house will be quiet and clean and I will be sitting there with no craziness and nothing to do and then I will miss the craziness so I try to enjoy it as much as possible.

    Reply ↓

  23. Really weird comment, that last one….I love the part about letting your children (or any loved ones!) see you smile–we are so polite and solicitous to acquaintances, but sometimes we forget to treat our nearest and dearest as if they are truly that. A smile goes a long way–farther, sometimes, than words.

    Reply ↓

  27. Dear ShandaWhy were you not born 60 years ago and printed this same blog that I just read. If you are able to do all these things that you have written, And some how I believe you do, You can expect some wonderful Godly Children who will do great thing for Jesus. If only Inez and I could have been just a little bit more like this. Let me Bless you in Jesus name for your wonderful Mother skills.–Tell your children that someone things they have a wonderful roll model—————hello to Rich @ all Merle

    Reply ↓

  29. Hi Shanda… I know this post is a few days old, but I’m just now catching up on your blog.  It’s always a happy comfort coming here and catching up on the life you and your beautiful family live.  I was SO blessed by this post.  I often times have a hard time doing every single thing that you mentioned and had to thank you for the reminder.  Blessings to you and your gorgeous family!  ❤

    Reply ↓

Leave a reply to SpazzyMommy Cancel reply