Ahem…. Well, it happened. My 10-month-old granddaughter kicked my butt.
Yep, this new grandma found herself struggling with a diaper that resembled the aftermath of an atomic blast. Residue, aka baby poo, squirted forth in all directions as squiggling arms and legs that appeared to be practicing infant calisthenics, landed in said residue. I quickly understood that now the small child needed a bath, a new pile of laundry emerged and I spied something that didn’t belong under my fingernails. Eeek! Finishing the cleanup I realized that the baby AND grandma needed a bottle and a nap.
My son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Elise, moved into our home this past week. They are relocating from another state. I thought handling a baby would be a piece of cake after all; I already raised two kids to adulthood. I couldn’t have forgotten that much, or did I?
Well thankfully the baby mama arrived upon said disaster and gave me some gentle teaching with empathy and grace. And a week later, I’m equipped to withstand any diaper that may come my way. *grin*
Even as a grandmother I can learn a lot from a young mom. And younger moms can likely learn a lot from an out of practice Grandma.
I’m convinced that the body of Christ is moving into a new awareness of God’s Presence. And in this next move of God we will see a joining of the generations like never before. The young, old, and in-between will rise to bring God’s purposes and His Kingdom to earth (Matthew 6:9-13).
This is a season in the body where we will learn and place great value the voices of young and old. And just like I had to relearn to diaper a baby there are some timeless experiences I can pass to my daughter-in-law.
As I look back on a lifetime of raising children, if I could tell every mother just one thing I it would be this:
It’s worth it!
It’s worth the years and tears you pour into your little ones. On days when there is poop in the tub, the dog barfed on the carpet, the laundry towers in the hall and little ones cry at your feet. And when no one sees all you sacrifice for your family and a greatly needed pat on the back does not come, it’s still worth it.
Every bit of effort of love, correction, instruction, laughter, fun, and the time you pour into little lives, it is worth it. It is building the character and love into another human being. And your children will step into adulthood fully equipped with faith, love, purpose, and passion.
Mom, You are a legacy maker.
One more thing I would share with every mother is to remember when you begin to question yourself and your parenting ability, I want you to be assured that God is standing by your side, day after day. He is whispering hope into your soul. Life into your tired eyes. Joy into the mundane and love into your heart. Let His voice assure, “You are more than enough.”
When writing my parenting book I came to a place one day where I was stuck. During this frustrating writer’s block, I ask God, “God, what do you want to tell every mother.” Well God was just waiting for me to ask. And immediately a string of words began to go through my head. It’s His personal letter to every mother. Below is a link to download this letter. I pray you will print it out and read in moments of doubt, fatigue, and fear. I’m encouraged to tears of joy each time I read it. I pray you will be too.
God is standing right next to you Mom. He is walking you through to your highest and holy calling, Motherhood.
For a chance to win a copy of Lynn’s book Not Alone share what advice has impacted you the most on being the mother God has called you to be or who has been your greatest mentor in mothering. We are giving away TWO copies. You have until MONDAY, March 17 to enter. You can also buy it on Amazon today.
Lynn Donovan is a speaker, author, and an ordinary woman who shares with audiences her everyday adventures of walking in the Presence of God. Her delight is igniting women’s hearts with Holy Spirit fire, inspiring wives and mothers to step fully into their high and holy calling of marriage and motherhood with joy, laughter and God’s favor. She has been featured guest on the 700 Club Interactive, Focus on the Family, Dr. James Dobson’s FamilyTalk and FamilyLife Today. She coauthored the award winning book, Winning Him Without Words and also Not Alone, Trusting God to Help You Raise Godly Kids In a Spiritually Mismatched Marriage. She has a son and a daughter and a granddaughter. She lives with her husband in Temecula, California. Visit Lynn online at MismatchedAndThriving.com.
Hi Kathi and my friends here. I adore you… Thank you for being part of this new and crazy but fantastic season of my life. My friends, through all of our parenting…… I have three words…
God is good!!!!
All the time..
Okay, that’s six. But it’s so true and filled with love. I love you. Have an amazing day living in the joys of His Presence. Hugs, Lynn
Me again…I wasn’t going to get emotional but Lynn, your letter triggered the memories of Andrew’s birth and reminded me of his struggle to survive upon arrival. They told us he would not live 3 days (there is no documented research of any children surviving past 3 months of age with this condition) but I reminded them, in no uncertain terms, that they were not God and His plan for Andrew would be our guide! We never left his side in the NICU and neither did God leave him or us! After 103 days, Andrew came home! Praise God! And here we all are, 6 years later, thanking God each day for our blessings, our miracle, our gift of new life through our Lord Jesus! Andrew is now in a typical Kindergarten class and on level with his peers. He will be going to first grade in his neighborhood school with nursing and educational assistance as we daily wait to see what God has in store for him and for us! God blesses everyone whose life Andrew touches with the love of our heavenly Father, the loving Presence of Jesus and the gifts of the Spirit! Your letter captures so many emotions! Thank you again!
Hi Lynn and Kathi! I am just coming off a weekend of Mimi in charge…lol! My daughter, a single mom of my two beautiful grandsons was sick. My oldest grandson, Andrew, 6, is medically fragile, trached and vented, and in need of assistance for all things. (He was born with an extremely rare genetic neuromuscular condition which leaves him unable to move. He uses his eyes to communicate along with head movement and facial expression). Shamus, 2, is just a ball of energy….anyway….it always amazes me how my daughter and I seem to each bring our gifts to the experience of raising the boys. I love this post! It highlights all that we live e each day in our journey with the Lord and the boys. Thank you for sharing your letter! I will be sure to share it with Tara tomorrow! God bless you both!
I actually have two greatest mentors in mothering – my mother and my son’s in home day care provider. My mother is my “best worst example” of what I don’t want to say to my children and of how I don’t want to act around them. Nancy, my son’s day care provider, has been my source of mothering confidence, advice, spiritual guidance, and encouragement. I joke that Nancy is my boy’s “second mom” and work daily to accept and forgive my own mother for who she is.
Surround yourself with other Christian mothers! Friends who you can open up to and admit that you yelled at your children and they will speak Gods truths of grace and strength to handle the situation better next time! 🙂
Some of the greatest advice I received – kids love to see mom laugh and smile. When I am running around the house trying to get everything done it helps to remember to slow down and get silly with my son. He appreciates that quality time much more than watching me check off a chore from my list.
I read Lynn and Dineen blog as I am in spiritually unmatched marriage and there are days I feel lonely on my walk with my children in faith.