This morning as Caroline and I were driving back from the grocery story (Saturday morning muffins, for the win), she looked out the window at a woman jogging and said, “I could never run a mile.”
I have no idea where that thought came from, but I said to her, “Sure you could, you would just have to practice.”
I began to tell her how God made our bodies in a way that we can build up endurance. If you want to run a mile, the first day you might just walk a little bit, the next day you walk a little faster, and so on and so on, and eventually, you would be able to run a mile.
After sharing all this with her, I said, “I wish someone would have told me about endurance when I was younger and trying out track; I just thought I couldn’t run and was a failure at it.”
And all of a sudden it hit me, I have to tell young moms about endurance in motherhood!
Because if I don’t say something, say that it takes practice and work and consistency and twisted ankles and side stitches and exhaustion, then maybe they won’t know. Maybe they will think they are failures at mothering.
It takes time and practice to grow into mothering with wisdom and maturity and grace and gentleness. But the more we practice, the more we keep on, step by step, slow and steady, learning, doing, listening to older moms, staying before the Lord and relying on His Holy Spirit, the better we will get!
There is a reason Scripture talks about older women teaching younger women to keep on — we need to know we aren’t failing! (Practical tips are also helpful!) We need to know it takes time and work and sweat and tears. We need to know, all of this is normal.
You are normal if you struggle with mothering.
And when I say, it gets better, I don’t just mean it gets easier because your kids sleep and are more self-sufficient (although sleep is awesome), it gets better because you get better.
You mature. You grow in grace. You are acting out of what you have been given by God. You have been molded and tested, and if you keep on, you will make it through the fire. And yes, motherhood is a fire sometimes.
So get your running shoes, pace yourself (oh my goodness, pace yourself), and keep on.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
(James 1:2-4)
Love, Sarah Mae, SarahMae.com
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Such encouraging words — and I can add the further encouragement that this is also true of older mums parenting teens. Eventually, I did find a way to wait up for them until curfew, wash mountains of very stylish laundry, and discover the correct amount (huge!) of food required for a room full of teens.
Now . . . I’m hoping that your principle holds up for grandmothering!
It’s much easier with grandmothering. We don’t have to multitask when we’re with them, we get all the fun without the drudge. When my Grands were little I took care of them often, to the point where my daughter was saying, “Mom, I feel I’m abusing you.” I kept telling her, “let me have them as much as possible now, because there will come a day when their lives will become so busy, they will no longer have that much interest in coming to grandma’s.” Those years pass too quickly. Enjoy every moment because those memories are priceless.
I value this counsel. I want to be able to set aside time for that precious little guy, knowing that you are so right. Today it’s a treat to come to Bam’s house, but blowing bubbles and painting pictures on the easel won’t be a blast when he’s a big boy. I love your insights on multi-tasking — no guilt in setting aside that special time.
Sarah Mae,
Yes, we all need “Titus Women” in our lives to cheer us and encourage us onward from the sidelines as we run this endurance race called Motherhood. I am so thankful that I had women, wiser than myself, who encouraged me when I felt like a complete failure. Even at 56, I still need someone encouraging me because, get this, motherhood never ends. Even when our children are grown, there are still adult problems that they face that sometimes make potty training look like a piece of cake. It doesn’t necessarily get “easier” it just becomes “different” in each stage of mothering that we enter. The only “manual” is God’s word and it truly does take a village to raise a child. I see the importance of other believers coming alongside me and alongside my children. Endurance….definitely. Perseverance…absolutely. Beautiful post.
Blessings,
Bev xx
And….as the mom of an adult child, our tasks change, our hearts do not. Instead of waiting up to make sure our 16 year-old is home safely, we have sleepless nights concerned about our 29 year-old’s job interview, or marriage. Being a mom never changes. We must always remember to trust God with those precious children. Regardless, it is a wonderful gift we are so blessed to be entrusted with!
What lovely encouragement and it can be applied to many issues in life, not just parenting. Thank you, Sarah Mae!
This reminds me of a lesson we learned about love, patients, and growing in unity. Your encouragement is appreciated. We were a highly fractured church at one time. When we called Rev Dr Phil Levin, he was an encourager like you. We mended and grew. Most importantly we grew in love. Rev Dr Levin has since moved on from here but his encouragement, like yours will remain.
Beautiful encouragement! Thanks, Sarah.
Sarah Mae,
Their is absolutely no manual for dealing with aging parents either. It is wonderful to have some Titus women cheering you on the sidelines, praying for you. I had plenty of trials over the last few years with my dad. My faith was tested and I grew-mostly in patience. Being a “daughter/parent” is never easy, but the rewards can be great!
Blessings 🙂
When we get married, we really don’t know that much about being a good wife and when we become mothers, we also don’t know that much, it really is learning on the job. I would say love was the biggest motivator in my experience, and trusting God to equip me. It was great when there were others to learn from, but I think most of all, it was one day at a time trying to do what was best for my family. That probably doesn’t sound that inspiring, but I wouldn’t trade those growing up years for anything and I love the woman my two daughters are today.
The best thing I could say to mothers, pray for your children, over every stage and age. Hopefully, there’ll be less drama and tantrums..
THANKS! I really needed this right now! My mom made it look so easy!!! But now that I’m in these shoes?!? But with God’s help I will make it through and I will claim my family for God. I will teach them HIS way. THANKS BUNCHES for the encouragement!
Thank you so much for this. You have a gift of encouragement. xxxx