Yesterday, I felt like a failure as a mommy.
I lost my temper.
I was a sobbing mess.
I was totally overwhelmed by the disciplinary needs of my children, not to mention my lack of sleep.
I felt judged as a mommy. Have you ever been there?
And I sat on my mountain of laundry and cried....and prayed...and cried some more.
God led me to some wonderful verses on discipline. And even more on wisdom.
Because He knows I need wisdom!
And He reminded me that I can start over today.
His grace is new every morning.
And it's His GRACE that gives me the STRENGTH to love my children enough to correct, train, and reprove them.
So, today, I am going to....
Look into my children's eyes and smile tender smiles.
Build lego forts.
Read books--lots of books.
Laugh.
Listen.
Love.
Show them how to live.
Teach them right and wrong.
Train them. Diligently. Consistently.
Hold their little hands and dance.
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22: 6
25 comments:
I have moments like this often. You are not alone! We learn as we go right. and your children are so blessed to have you as their mommy. :)
We have all been there and will be there again. They are blessed to have a mommy that cares that much. My mom used to repeat this too shall pass. I didn't understand until I had my first mommy day like that too. :)
it sounds like today will be a sweet day indeed! i cry with just one! ha ha! praise the Lord for His grace and wisdom! i feel so clueless sometimes but then a nudge here or there by the Holy Spirit prods me on! have a great weekend.
I totally understand! It so wonderful that God's mercies are new every morning :)
Bless you heart! I'm not a mommy, but I am in awe of all you do... I can barely keep my house clean as it is and there are just two of us, and we're grown ups... I can't imagine running after little feet all day, doing middle of the night and early morning feedings, and doing laundry, dishes, and cooking, and still managing to be kind and loving.... I think the fact that you have the sense to know when you lost it, and the fact that you can put a bad day aside and start fresh are great testaments to the fact that you are a wonderful mother....
Also, remember that of course YOU can't do all of this stuff, but Christ can, and so through him you can...
I hope today is full of more giggles than tears, more harmony than fights, more cleanliness than untidyness, and lots and lots of sunshine! :) XOXOXO
I wish I could tell you how much I needed to read this today. Thanks for sharing my friend - i am always encouraged by you :-)
Awww! I love that picture! Legend is so adorable.
I completely know how you feel Joye. Every momma has been there. You are on the right track though, recognizing that it is only by His mercy and grace that you will find the strength to be able to handle every aspect of raising babies and still enjoy every minute of it. :) He is faithful!!!
I feel like this all. the. time. Thank the Lord that his mercies are new every morning (and noon, and night!).
By the way, lovely Liberty of London dress!
We all have those days! Keep your chin up. And don't feel guilty if they need some Veggietales time while you go read yourself a book.
Raising a child of any age leads to "those kind of days." The only difference now that my kids are older is that they have learned when to "duck for cover." :)
i am thankful for a God who lovingly sets the example for good parenting, because this child of his (meaning me) knows how to whine, fuss and throw a tantrum with the best of them. It is called GRACE. i couldn't live eithout it.
I liked this post.
I think when you become a mother you should be given a list of things you will feel. Being a failure is one of them. We all have these days. But they are just days. And tomorrow will be better! Blessings to you! You are an amazing mommy!
So been there!!!
I wrote something similar on my blog yesterday. Being a mama is so much harder than I ever imagined!
I wish we lived closer!
You are not alone. I had a day like that just last week, and I only have one! I had no patience left and was not pleasant to be around. Once everything calmed down and the crying stopped (both of us), my little one was giggling and laughing like he never knew I was upset. Thank God kids dont hold grudges like us adults do! He knows I still love him, and I know your kids do to!
Oh, I hear you, dear friend...and I totally understand. In fact, I had a meltdown last night all leading up to me declaring to my hubby that I felt like an absolute failure...as a mom, a wife, a daughter...but today is a new day and for that I am so thankful. I'm also thankful for these two sweet children He has blessed me with...even though I so totally do not deserve them. Which is also convicting...because I am responsible for training them up in the way they should go. But praise Him for giving us the answers in His word and wisdom through His spirit. I hope today was a beautiful day of renewal for you.
God bless you!!!!
Wylie
Oh my goodness! I needed to hear that! That was totally me today- I need to rely on God's Grace to give strength!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Bless your heart Joye! Don't beat yourself up but bask in the Love of your Father and let HIS Strength, Grace and Mercy wash over you because I know as you looked into the eyes of your children and danced, read, loved and lived life withe them today, they never even remembered yesterday. He makes all things new....one day at a time :) thank goodness for HIS grace!
Love and hugs to you
So glad for second chances:) God is so darn good to us!! Also I am thankful for the tears he lets us cry that always seem to heal our heart. Thanks for your honesty :)
One of my favorite promises...that His mercies are new every morning. And...as a side note, when I'm having a day like that, feeling discouraged about discipline...maybe wondering if I should have handled something differently....my husband always says, "Don't worry, our boys will give you another opportunity tomorrow." Not only are God's mercies new every morning...but our children's persistence in orneryness is quite resilient as well! =)
Love to you...enjoy your day!!
We all have those days. You aren't alone.
I just came across your other blog-so beautiful and moving. Since I didn't see a comment area I wanted to comment here!
This blog is also wonderful! I look forward to joining it as well!
I have also had days like the one you described and I always beat myself up for at least a week.
I will say that when my children were old enough to talk I would have to ask their forgiveness and boy was that humbling. I would still beat myself up over it, though!
Have a blessed weekend!
Have I ever been there!! What precious words to go with a very real mommy moment. I love when God shows us he cares by meeting us right where we are... even crying over the laundry pile!
I meant to tell you how much I loved this post. Truer words couldn't be spoken for most mamas...on most days. I think the best thing I like to remember is that we have been given the grace to move forward, pick ourselves up, start over. Being human in all our fragility is really a lovely thing when we realize where our strength comes from.
That thought brings me peace. Have a great Sunday!
Thank you for that! I know this is an old post but, it was probably at the same point I felt the exact same way as a mommy of a newborn to three siblings. I felt like such a horrible mom. By the time my husband came home one particular day a couple of weeks ago, I was in tears. I escaped to cry and pray then finally come out of hiding to see my husband rough-housing and playing with the kids...and cried some more, this time out of sheer thankfulness for my husband! I remember that I am not defined as a mother by those moments, although I feel it at the time. I continue to call on God's Spirit and grace in my parenting everyday.
I will reflect on your words of wisdom today. Thank you.
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