Dear mom at home with little ones all around you, I want to encourage you to GIVE UP. Yes, I said GIVE UP!
Are you going crazy trying to keep your house clean? GIVE UP. It's not going to be clean while these little ones are around. You will find the time here and there to clean it, but it won't stay that way for long. BUT THAT'S OK. You will find the most peace when you accept that. Teach your children servanthood and responsibility but don't expect perfection. Let it go. And go make a mess making cookies with them.
Are you stressed trying to keep your children quiet because they're laughing too loudly or being too silly and screaming because, well, because of everything? GIVE UP. They're not going to be quiet. Most of them are very loud and they get even louder when they're together. They're full of joy and anger and fun and frustration. They're precious little humans who just want to be little humans. Don't try to suppress them. Embrace the noise and loudly sing a joyful song.
Are you harried trying to keep them out of your hair so you can get stuff done? GIVE UP. They will only be your little shadows for a short time. In a few years they'll be too busy to bother you. In a few more years, you'll be waiting by the phone. Don't try to exclude them. Get involved in what they're doing. Get them involved in what you're doing. Get involved in something together. Squeeze every drop out of these sweet first years.
Are you out of control trying to control everything around you? GIVE UP. You're not in control. God is in control. HE gave you these babies. Every interruption in our day is from Him. Every hard moment is to shape us. Every good moment is show us His grace. And every moment is wonderful. Receive them all with thanksgiving.
Being a mom is the greatest gift and the most blessed life IF ONLY we will GIVE UP. GIVE UP our selves and our comfort, our standards of perfection, our control. If we will GIVE UP the idea that this life is a burden and see it for what it is--a blessing. When our attitude and perspective changes, we change. GIVE UP your old perspective today. Be what God made you to be--a joyful mother of children.
"He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD."
Psalm 113:9
