Let’s face it. Being a mother takes work. Hard work. And patience. Mega patience. It’s easy to coast through the days — of diaper changes, and messy floors, and fighting, and laundry, and driving, and cooking, and burping, and homework, and tucking in, and picking up — and begin to lose joy.
Don’t lose it. It’s there, in those everyday moments. I look for it — and you can too. In fact, here are six little {intentional} ways you can find beautiful joy in motherhood.
1} Keep your eyes open. Not as in awake, which if you’ve got very young children is a feat in itself, but rather your eyes open to the little small things that your children do around you. Things they see. Or say. Or share. When your eyes are open — when you’re aware — you will begin to notice snippets of beauty throughout the mundane of the day. Their joy will eventually become your joy.
2} Get down on their level. Seriously. If your toddler can’t see above the counter than get down there and view the world the way he does. Remember how you were just getting after him for not pulling on the handle to the cabinet? Well, once you see the world at his height you’ll realize that it wasn’t because he wasn’t listening, but rather it was the only way to put the cup on the counter – where you asked them to place it. Changes the perspective, doesn’t it? Getting down also creates an entire world of play. Your kids see you eye to eye. And you can laugh right by each other.
3} Let it go. Put away the parenting magazines, and cute baby shows on tlc, and the decorating ideas, and even those blogs. We’re all just people. With ideas. That we share. But, God made each of us unique — the mom to each of those kids in your home — and we’re the perfect mom for those kids. While the ideas in the parenting magazine look amazing if you base success and joy and happiness on having the “ideal” birthday party or homeschool plan or perfect diy kids project, well, then, discontent can rear it’s ugly head. I know. And that? That robs joy.
4} Pray over them at night. While they’re sleeping. That super hard day — the day where the toliet overflowed because they flushed a toy doughnut down it {just ask me how I know} and the day when the permanent marker got used on the hardwood floor and the same day where someone decided to eat all the pickles in the pickle jar — is just a day. And at night, those cute little faces look angelic. And perfect. So pray over them. And the day? It will fade away.
5) Don’t keep a record. Of wrongs. And specifically your own mistakes. It’s all too easy to base one’s day and parenting moments on mistakes. Maybe your temper was short one day — it doesn’t define you as a mother — instead take the moment, learn from it, and move on. Remember the Lord’s mercies are new every morning. And, don’t be afraid to admit mistakes. There are many times where I come in, and look my kids in the eye, and tell them, “I’m sorry.” We’re not perfect. I try to live and honor the Lord in all I do — parenting and all.
6) Love what they love. Watch their television shows. Read their books. Play soccer in the backyard. Listen to their music. Learn to love their interests their passions. God created them unique. You as their parent are blessed with the glorious and beautiful gift to help them uncover their gifts. Embrace this time. It’s short.
Why joy? And why joy in motherhood? Some history. About five years ago, right when my husband was finishing up treatment for cancer, I came to the realization that I was living my life on hold — waiting for the “ideal” setting and perfect scenario to happen before I would be happy — and I was miserable. I was quickly convicted that my life, the right now, was to be lived fully. Embracing the everyday. The ups and downs. And surrendering my heart while seeking the gifts of joy, the gems, tucked within.
I know that you all have your own sweet and beautiful ways in which you view motherhood and joy and life. I’d love to hear your favorites — even if it’s, “let your kids have ice cream for dinner in the summer just once.” Because we do that. And they love it.
Be blessed.
And tell those sweet ones in your life you love them.
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25 comments
I seriously love your post. I had that aha moment as well about 6 months ago, and it has really transformed my views on pretty much everything 🙂 I love that every day is new, a gift – and we get to choose to embrace the gift or toss it aside. I’m choosing to embrace each and every day – messes and all!!
Blessings to you!
Thanks for this post. Perfect timing on a day when I just didn’t feel like being a mum!
thank you for a beautiful post- a blessing 🙂
Perfectly said. I stopped reading certain blogs and stopped pinning on pinterest because I realized I was comparing my life to these picures. My girls room would never look like those pictures, I would never have the money to make their playroom a certain way and it started to make me miserable. So, I’ve stopped. And I know their rooms and everything we have given them is more than enough.
I try to remember all the small things they do, and I believe since I’ve started blogging I’ve become more aware of them. And if late at night, one of them is up crying, I find the JOY in that; that I’m getting one on one time with them, that soon they will be too big for me to rock back to sleep…because it’s so easy to get frustrated in those moments thinking how you could be getting sleep at that moment.
I love this post too. I need to work on the new every morning. It is hard for me to start out fresh each day. I am so glad God can.
Once again, wise words to take to heart. Unfortunately I’m one of those moms trying to have perfect scenarios. I’m learning to let go and find joy little by little everyday.
Thank you, Rachel!
Amen and amen. I especially agree with (and needed to be reminded of) #3!!! Maybe it’s because I’m young, but sometimes I feel insecure in my mothering. But it’s true, God gave us our children and they’re the best fit for us as we are to them. I love praying over them at night. It’s always a sweet time and keeps the most important in perspective. The #6 picture is my favorite. Samuel is on the go, experiencing a little bit of newfound freedom, as you’re right behind him waiting and ready to help if needed. Soooo precious. Thanks for being willing to faithfully remind me what this child raising thing is all about! Ok, long run on paragraph!!!
Love you Martins! May you have a week full of MN summertime and sunshine.
I LOVE this post! Thank you so much for sharing these wise words.
so good and true. i think telling them how proud i am of them and giving them positive affirmation with words is so important.
Thank you! I can’t explain how much I needed this today. Thank you!
Regarding #4 – I have terrible insomnia at night; yes, I’m pregnant currently but I’ve always struggled with this. I’ve come to consider it a blessing – I walk around the house from room to room praying for each child as they sleep.
You know how it is, Rachel – with 7 kids, it’s hard to have that focused prayer time during the day, so finally I’ve learned to take advantage of being awake at night – obviously there’s lots of other prayer requests that get covered outside of our family, but the Lord always reminds me to pray for my hubby and children first.
Thanks for another beautiful post full of great reminders!
What precious reminders!! Thank-you for this beautiful post!
Jessica
i really love this post. it imbodies everything i feel about my kids. in a blink of an eye their childhood will be gone and i don’t want to miss it!!! awesome post!
Just beautiful!
Hugs-
PS Is anything new happening with your shoulder since the MRI-not sure if I missed a post-I need to check but since I was already here and typing I thought I would ask.
Praying.
Jill
So I was going to say #3 and #4 are my favorites, but really they all are. And “the day when…is just another day” – can’t tell you how many times that ran through my mind today. Thanks for sharing. Love mothering {joyfully} alongside you. Blessings ~ Kelley
What’s Samuel looking at in that first picture? The look on his face is priceless! What’s going on in that little head?
Praying!
Psalms 50:14-15 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Prayer Bears
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I loved this.
For me, #3 has been a big one. Letting go. Relaxing more. Not trying to be the perfect mom. Which then ties into #5…cause I also have to relax about my mistakes.
Blessings to you and your precious family,
K
This is such a great list…a desperately needed reminder. Sincerely…thank you.
This is a wonderful article and oh so true! Thank you!
God just put this in my path today. I have been struggling in this area for a few months now. Thank you, thank you. I needed this.
Thank you for this amazing post. 4, 5 and 6 hit home. Blessings. <3
Thanks so much 🙂 I especially liked the one about getting down on their level. When I’m frustrated, I love to lay down next to my son and let him crawl over me. It allows me to get a close up of his little reactions and the faces he makes. It reminds me of how perfect he is 🙂
You certainly have hit the nail squarely on the head with this post. Absolute truth here! Perspective is everything.
thanks rachel for the inspiration and encouragement..i agree to embrace my gifts (my kids) everyday..after all, these are all about them and i admit, at the end of the day, looking at them sleeping comfortably, gives me the feeling of fulfillment and joy..i thank God for the strength that is renewed every single day.