Pictures like this one bring back so many memories.....
Memories of being overwhelmed with motherhood, memories of isolation and loneliness (it can be hard to find friends when your children demand so much time and attention), memories of feeling inadequate and trying to be what others expected of me. Memories of bad hair days (lol).
I remember thinking, "When they are all able to tie their own shoes life will get so much easier!"
HA! Did I have a lot to learn!
This past week my oldest daughter suffered a break-up and a broken heart, my daughter at college lost a friend to suicide, my son totaled his car by hitting a curb and my 16 yr. old is not speaking to me because I won't let her go to a concert she wants to attend.
Suddenly those days of carrying babies, fastening car seats, changing diapers, washing bottles... don't look so overwhelming after all.
However I do see God at work in every one of these situations:
~My oldest daughter was dating a young man who is not a Christian, is very selfish and expected her to change for him.
~My college daughter has turned to Jesus for comfort in her loss.
~My son will be forced to work harder to pay for his car and not take his transportation for granted. Losing a little freedom as a senior in high school is not necessarily a bad thing.
~My teenage daughter, well her obedience to our rules is being tested while our trust in her is being rebuilt.
As for me, God is blessing me with a little "downtime" this weekend. As most of my family travels St. Louis for a soccer tournament I am looking forward to some R&R in my own home! God is good!!
What is the best job I've ever had?
2 months ago
34 comments:
Enjoy your time or rest and relaxation....And if you want a good laugh about some "bad hair," check out my post on Tuesday.;)Let my time of public humiliation bring you laughter; I promise, I don't mind.:)
I remember wishing and thinking those same things, and you are right....It gets harder, not easier.
I pray that you will find much needed rest and peace this weekend.
I'll say a prayer for you and your family.
Happy Labor Day weekend!
God Bless,
Amy:)
I'm glad I stopped here today.
I was kinda in the doldrums about summer ending and wishing my children were little again and "needed" me more. But then after reading this I realized that every season is special and a time to learn. Right now my 15 yr old daughter gets upset by some of our rules...but..at the same time she is learning that as Christians we need boundaries. And my 9 year old daughter is learning that she really isn't born of royalty and in order to "get stuff" we need to work for it. For her, this means doing her chores with gladness of heart! I am glad I visited this blog today! God bless you and enjoy your time of R and R!
Oh sister you struck such a cord in me with this post! I hear you LOUD and CLEAR! I feel the exact same way. Having four children as toddlers in diapers was nothing compared to having four teens! It is grueling and more gut wrenching than I ever imagined. Hold on tight to Jesus sweet sister. You are not in the trenches alone. Many are walking the same walk. We must just keep our eyes on Jesus and walk by faith and not by sight. That is so awesome for you to look to the positive in your situation. Great big hug to you!
My heart feels so stretched by just the two I have; I can't imagine the heartache that comes with so many of the "growing pains" you're seeing your children experience. It's great that you can keep them in perspective and see the "upside" in them.
Enjoy your downtime this weekend!
Kelley, rejoicing how God has His Hand on you and all your children.
Contentment in the 'now' is so hard isn't it. So often we struggle with 'this minute', either wanting to roll back time or speed ahead and find answers to questions yet unknown. So glad that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Praying you'll have a wonderful, restful weekend.
Love & hugs,
Joy
Sounds like a doozy of a week. That's awesome that you recognize God at work in each of the situations. I will be praying for college daughter and the family of her friend. Enjoy that R&R!
Praying for a happy weekend for all,
Krista
Your faithfulness in the Lord is a blessing. Your ability to see His hand in all of these situations is such an incredible witness of faith and trust in our Father!
Enjoy your weekend Kelly.
Great job finding God in all those circumstances.
Luanne
Isn't it odd that it gets harder in raising children as they get older? Boy! I'll say a prayer for you as you spend some time this weekend reflecting all that is going on. Take care~~
You have a good attitude and the right attitude...to find the good in all of these situations. They are all very good learning lessons.
And to top off such a difficult week, you have a long weekend to yourself. Make sure you relax, read, and nap in your hammock.
Blessings,
Paula
Enjoy your down time, Kelley. Sounds like you need it! I will keep the kids in my prayers. I'm so sorry for all they're going through in their own arenas but love how you see God at work...
I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend! Isn't it amazing how God can bring some good out of every situation?
Praying for you, my friend!
Love the pic!
We had so many challenging times with our youngest child and it always brought us to our knees because we could not handle it on our own. My husband always said that it kept us dependent on HIM. It's not very fun going through it though. It brought my husband and I closer too. Stay strong!
It's not easy when you provide those boundaries for your young adults. However, in their heart of hearts, they need it. Ironically, it is comforting to them to know that you do care even if it's uncool. I did have to laugh at your bad hair comment. It was funny.
~My oldest daughter was dating a young man who is not a Christian, is very selfish and expected her to change for him.
We are going through the same thing, and while I don't like the idea of her having her heart broken, you have given me hope that perhaps my daughter will also come to realize that this is not a good relationship.
My favorite saying is "If only I could go back to the days when I thought potty-training was as bad as it could ever get". :)
Kelly,
You are doing the most loving and difficult thing - your GOD given ministry of mothering.
I so often wish I could return to those days and know what I know now, but that is not GOD'S will or HIS way.
I can tell you that what you are doing is more important that you will ever know in GOD'S economy.
Show them what GOD is in you - unconditional love as well as correction and godly discipline. Weep with them in their sorrow, but help them find their own path. Just like your one in college is reaching out to HIM...that is such a blessing!
You are pointing them to the one that never fails...I pray you will enjoy your weekend.
Blessings,
Teri
I can so relate. I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing time while you get to stay at home...a staycation!
Blessings, Joanne
It is great that you saw God's hand in each of your kid's situations. He is faithful and will see them through.
I was just thinking that if I had known what being the parent of a teenager entailed, I would not have had kids. It's good God keeps some things form us!
Being a mom isn't an easy job! I remember some of those same thoughts...it will be easier when...now I'm really missing those days when they needed me to do things like tie their shoes.
Sounds like it has been a tough week at your house, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that God can work in great ways in the midst of hard times.
Enjoy your R&R in your own home...I'm sure it's a rare treat.
~Jamie
I'm so glad you are able to find the blessing in every situation!
Love and miss you much!
Mylah
It is a fair warning! Many times I've wished for something and gotten it and was sorry later. Then the opposite happens and I think I should be disappointed. Fortunately, we have a Father who loves us and keeps us in check.
Love your dress--I had one similar!! Enjoy your R&R this weekend! I'll be lifting up your prayer concerns!
Love ya,
Susan
Kelley
Isn't it amazing how every season of our lives brings things that take us right back to our Father for guidance? We thought that the grass would be greener in the next season... but each season brings weeds and beautiful lush grass. Preparing us for the next season.
What a blessing to see God working in all of those situations. He is always working... even when we can't see Him
Thanks so much for sharing your life with us.
Lynn
I am continually amazed at the events in your life! I think you may be the strongest woman I know, and I know that you would say your strength comes from the Lord. Still, it's quite awesome, literally.
It is so amazing to read people's blogs who can see God at work while in strife. That is a lot to be on one's plate and yet you lovingly accepted all of it with grace and passion. I hope a lot of people read today's post!
I linked this post to my blog. If you are not ok with that, let me know!
Sometimes the little things can seem overwhelming until the unimaginable happens. God is still there.
I know the pain of teenagers and could use your prayers. I don't think it will ever get easy...
In His Graces~Pamela
Hey, Kelley! Isn't it so funny how a picture can bring back so many memories? Life was simple back then. I'm so glad you are seeking God during these tough situations and best of all, you are guiding your children and pointing them to the Only One who can help. He is such a great counselor. Thank you for sharing your life with me!
Love you,
Angie xoxo
Hey Kelley!
Loved how you flipped everything around and put God in the center. He is so good!!
Love you,
Lelia
You're incredible, Kelley. Your perspective is exactly what your family needs.
Love the picture!
This is so good Kelley. I know I have many days with many things like this happening here. My son just told me that most of his friends have posters of naked ladies in their bedrooms. I'm sick about it. Do I say, "Go get different friends?" Sometimes I don't know what to do.I'm praying for more moral friends. Bless you Kelley. Kathi
Just today I was looking at a picture of my child from two years ago. Thinking about what growth has happened in two years. With children its so obvious how much they are growing, but as parents, moms, we are growing too.
My son is still little so I haven't seen him struggle yet like you have with your older ones. That must be a difficult process to go through.
Enjoy your rest. I'm sure it is well earned.
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