Today I am choosing to praise God for the many blessings of motherhood. Though they are not always easy to decipher, God always gives them in abundance.
The Blessings of Motherhood aren’t Always Easy To See
Today was one of those days. The kind of day that I wear my motherhood on my sleeve, literally. My son didn’t sleep at all last night – up for 3 hours in the middle of the night plus up an additional 6 or 7 times throughout the night. It was b-r-u-t-a-l. Unfortunately this happens quite frequently, you can read more about my lack of sleep here.
Today was the kind of day where I woke up exhausted.
I stayed in yesterday’s sweater and last night’s flannel pants until 2pm when Bill and I had to leave the house to go look at backsplashes because in the midst of it we are trying to redo our very outdated kitchen. B-R-U-T-A-L.
This is not unlike a hundred other mornings I have had as a mom and will undoubtedly continue to have. Not unlike a hundred mornings every other mom has had, I’m sure.
This is a hard job.
A heavy duty.
Today I am thanking God for another day of grace. Another day to serve our Savior with my family. Another day to be exhausted for the sake of my children and family.
Finding Motherhood a Blessing Isn’t Really about how I Feel
I’d like to say that I really feel that way. I would like to say that my heart is always thankful for those baby cries all night long, for the baby that sits up and starts laughing at 3:30am, for the little girl that always wants someone to come lay in her bed with her, for the little hands that pull my hair, poke my eyes, and pinch my cheeks constantly.
That’s what I would like to be able to say. But I can’t.
I’m very human.
When I am exhausted I struggle very much to have a good attitude. Let’s face it, I often struggle with my attitude on a full night of sleep (what is that again?).
The many blessings of motherhood do not stop with the giggly belly laughs, baby coos, sleepy smiles, and joyful exclamations of “I love you Mommy!” or “You’re my fabrit (favorite) Mommy!” The blessings of motherhood go much further.
Because of the Gospel, even the awful moments have redeeming purposes. The baby that cries all night long can remind me of my constant need to be with the Lord for nourishment and refreshment of my soul. The baby that sits up and starts laughing at 3:30am can make me thankful that the Lord is always available for both my joys and my sorrows. The little girl that always wants someone to come to sleep in her bed with her can remind me of the constant comforting presence of my Savior. Those little hands pinching and poking my sleepy eyes in search of the comfort that comes from knowing they are with their mommy, can remind me of my God’s eternal presence with me and His precious response of grace to my search for comfort in His presence.
Today I do not feel thankful. Today I am choosing to be thankful. Choosing this because my great Savior has given me all that I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). And praise God that statement is not conditional upon my level of exhaustion! No matter my circumstances I have been given all that I need.
And even in my exhaustion I have a Savior who lived a human life and can sympathize with my tiredness. Praise God for the many blessings of motherhood!
Truth for Everyone
This truth extends beyond motherhood too. Anytime we are feeling the pressures of life, anytime exhaustion threatens to steal our joy, anytime the needs of people seem to surround us, we can draw close to our Savior. He knows our inmost needs and desires and chooses to meet us in the difficult places with grace and rest.
Christ has given us all we need. He has given us Himself. Joy and sorrow, exhaustion and energy, all are blessings to know and love our Savior more!
Have you found any blessings in your weariness or exhaustion? In your motherhood? I would love to hear about them!
I love when you said that on this difficult day you had to choose to be grateful even when you didn’t feel it. I think that wraps up motherhood, having to be joyful even when the kid vomits and has diarrhea for days, the husband is gone on a trip, and you haven’t slept in over 24 hrs. The struggle is real but He is with us all the way, listening, comforting, and guiding! Thanks for being honest!
So very true! Honesty is necessary in this journey!! Otherwise we begin to feel crazy 😉
Raising children requires everything we have, body, soul, and spirit sometimes. May the Lord grant you rest. Having raised 6, I feel your pain.
Thank you!! Wow!! Cannot imagine six!
Yes! Every moment we live is a choice. I love that you are choosing to be thankful instead of feel it. Feelings are fleeting and hard to control but choosing thankfulness is within our control!
So very true!
How we look at every situation in life is so critical to our joy. And looking at things through the light of the Gospel gives us an attitude of thankfulness which changes everything! Keep loving those sweet babies through the exhaustion, my friend, and keep leaning into the beautiful truths God is placing in your heart ♥
Thank you so much for sharing hope with us at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
That is so true!! The gospel changes every circumstance we face to joy in some way. It is hard to see sometimes but everything is worth it for the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord”. Thank you for your encouragement!