This afternoon, as I was attempting to procrastinate writing an English paper, I signed on to msn and began chatting with my cousin Kaitlin. I began by going on and on about this house I had happened to see on remax (thats how badly I was procrastinating) and she mentioned to me she was avoiding work as well, by reading over my and my sister in laws' blogs.
With the mention of Sarah's blog, I realized I hadn't checked it today, so off I went. Today's post was a mesmerizing account of her struggles and triumphs of motherhood so far.
Now, in the past, Sarah has recounted difficulties she's had and times she's questioned her efforts and methods. I usually respond to these posts with comments of what a wonderful job she really is doing, and how I admire her for it.
But after today's blog, a comment just didn't seem enough. Kaitlin and I continued to discuss the post, and how both of us as young women could only hope to reach such balance and maturity when our turn as mothers and wives come. This made me realize that though Sarah uses her blog as a release and as a way to inform, what she really is doing is uplifting and encouraging those of us that are a few years younger, and have yet to reach this stage in our lives, but think about them daily.
I just wanted to share with her how much she impacts my world, how blessed I feel to have such an outstanding role model to look up to, not because she does everything right, but because she is able to persevere in her trials and constantly looks to God to help her overcome those moments of weakness and difficulty. I want to tell Sarah that at least two women find comfort and wisdom in her words, love in her ability to be so humble yet so strong, and I know I hope to do the same when my own time to be a mom comes. She is able to make motherhood as a young christian woman real, hard, aggrivating, and the most fullfilling, important and loving thing in the world.
Keep on sharing, loving and hoping, Sarah, and we will keep on reading. God gave me a wonderful gift, when he made you my sister.
2 comments:
Kelsey???
What can I say???
I'm glad through all my ramblings that you have felt encouraged. That makes it worth it for me to keep on. Your love for children runs deep...not many people actually LIKE kids the way you (and your family) do. That is the basics of motherhood, right? Loving your children and liking them enough to teach them and enjoy them?
I've been wrestling with the idea of how my relationship with my children should be GRACE based, just like my relationship with God is. In fact, I'm beginning to look at all my relationships through this new light. How can we demand perfection from ourselves? From others?
I've kicked myself so many times over the past few years for different mistakes I've made with my kids. But you know, I've started to come around and see that I need to stop kicking myself and start repenting. I mean it. Asking my kids for forgiveness when I've been impatient. Telling them I'm sorry when I've made a mistake or when I've punished them unfairly because I was too focused on my own embarassment and what other people think about me. I want to grow in this area...especially as they get older.
I just think that God is a gracious God. I have prayed that he will be as gracious with my children when they screw up as He has been for me.
As for blogging...I'm just trying in my own way to be as real and as honest as I can (for a public place), to be transparent in a time when even Christians feel like they have to hide who they really are for fear of rejection. My favorite speaker once said that religious people like us need to stop looking at humanity and seeing "good" people and "bad" people. Instead, he should see all sinners and Jesus. By God's grace we are saved, by His grace we learn and grow, by His grace can we start to repent and reconcile broken relationships (that are damaged daily). We are not saved by white knuckling our way through life. Our pg-13 rated, morality driven lives will not save us. Jesus will.
Hmmm...I've got lots more to say too. This is too long for a comment...perhaps I should start a new post???
Thank you for being so gracious with me! LOTS OF LOVE!
Sarah, you should write a book about your time as a mother! I would buy it!!!
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