I have wanted to be a graceful Mom ever since I first dreamt of having a child of my own. For so long I have had a picture come to mind when I think of graceful motherhood. A tall, slender woman, with a skirt that gently brushes the floor as she finishes washing her dishes. A gentle smile is on her lips and her eyes are always prone to laughter. She speaks in a kind manner, and her words are like Wisdom herself.
And I sigh because…that is so not me. And I feel less than. Not good enough. Wanting. But recently I have come to realize that I may have it wrong. Perhaps graceful motherhood is crying with your child when they are hurting. Perhaps it is taking off the “perfect Mom” mask and getting real. Maybe we should be pursuing our children’s hearts rather than chasing that perfect look. Because what if the real graceful Mom’s day is full of stains from messy hands and pineapple juice kisses? What if her kitchen isn’t perfect but her kid’s are happy and secure? What if being a graceful Mom means leaning into the hard and the messy and making it through with the grace of God? Maybe the graceful Mom doesn’t always say it right, but her heart shines through her words and her “children still rise up and call her blessed.” {Proverbs 31:28} I recently watched “Love & Friendship”, a new release based on a novella by Jane Austen. Lady Susan fits the picture of a graceful woman perfectly... {continue reading} I am guest posting for my lovely friend Carmen, over at Married by His Grace. You can read the rest of the post here. :)
4 Comments
Thank you, Stefani. I've had a hard week of leaning into the messy . . . this has been very encouraging. Wonderful reminder that God's grace isn't simply a beautiful image to look at but an active willingness to meet the dirtiest job with love. Trusting that He will help you and me to take the grace we've been given and offer it to our families and all around us.
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10/3/2016 05:18:54 am
I love this, this is just beautiful and describes my day perfectly with a toddler who has not had enough sleep and who is insisting I apologise to her in between screaming because I lifted her onto the toilet wrong and I want to snap! Deep breaths!
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10/7/2016 03:25:41 pm
I guess I must be a graceful mom because I often cry and feel exhausted and overwhelmed! ha! What a beautiful post Stefani! I know I often have that picture in my mind of the mom I want to be and feel frustrated that I don't live up to it. So thankful for God's grace that truly helps be the graceful moms he has called us to be! Thanks for this! xoxo
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Anita Byler
3/22/2017 06:30:01 am
Enjoyed this so much!! What great words of life ... Hope between every line! Thanks for sharing!!
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I am on a journey to know Jesus better, and be the wife, mommy and friend that God created me to be, all within the walls of my own little home. <3
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