where do you go for support/encouragement when being a mom is challenging?
literally - sometimes i go to my bed and take a nap. sometimes i go to the park and run. sometimes i go to the spectrum on wynnton road and get a big cup of coke or dr. pepper for .79 (.85 once tax is added). when it's really challenging i go to baskin robbins and get a cappucino blast.
less literally (but still pretty literal) - i go to my dining room table and i sit down with The One who believes most in my abilities as a mom and with His word. i let Him tell me that He has given me everything i need for life and godliness (and everything i need to be the mom He's called me to be)...and that it's ok for me to be weak - because He IS strong. i pour out my heart like water to the one who can handle it - i tell Him how very frustrated i am and how very hard this mothering deal seems to be...i am reminded that He gently leads those that have young...that His grace is sufficient and that He is enough. i confess my mistakes - my harsh words or tones, my impatience, my reactions that were less than Christ-like. i ask for forgiveness.
sometimes i tune into the prayer room at ihop.org or put in a favorite cd and worship. taking my eyes off of me and putting them on Him always seems to help.
where else do i go? to my faithful husband who is so gracious and understanding. i spill it out on him. i go to my friends who i know are dealing with similar challenges - i go to the friends who i know will pray for me and encourage me (God has blessed me with some wonderful moms to share life with - moms who do not waive off challenges or dismiss them as "no big deal"...moms who don't make excuses for sinfulness and ungodly behavior but who are striving to be holy as He is holy).
(when i'm at my best in the middle of a challenging moment i stay calm and prayerful...we peacefully figure out a solution...or i at least send them upstairs to watch a video while i compose my spirit and gain back some self-control. at my worst, i say terrible things in my head and make lots of ridiculous noises - "grrrs..." and "aggghs..." i say dumb things like "if only you would have listened..." or "why didn't you obey?!" i say things that i then have to ask their forgiveness for. they are so gracious to forgive, as is He.)
