I recently picked up Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney again. I read it several years ago (just after I had Canyon, I think) and I remember liking it then, but WOW! now- it's hitting home even more. I've read the chapter called "the Blessings of Loving My Children" about 3 times now and I want to share some excerpts with you…
"In the career of motherhood there are no weekends off, no paid vacations, no bonuses or yearly raises, and no quitting time. It is just day in and day-out giving. There are times when we feel we do not have another ounce of energy left to offer.
Because mothering requires constant sacrifice, the temptations to resentment, complaining, and self-pity are always close at hand (especially if you struggle with these things already)."
She goes on to tell a story of a "date night" she had with her 10 year old daughter and her daughter told her, "Mommy, you haven't been smiling very much lately. You don't seem very happy." …..
"Oh how those words pierced me! I realized in a moment that motherhood had become a duty instead of a joy. I was so focused on the sacrifices that I had failed to appreciate the daily pleasures of raising my children. This had wiped away my smile. As mothers we have a choice. We can either resent the challenges and demands that accompany motherhood and persist in our selfishness, or we can draw from God's grace and receive His help to CHEERFULLY lay down our lives for our children." Let's choose the latter.
"As we set aside our own selfish desires and glorify God by joyfully serving our children, we are pursuing true greatness according to the Bible. Let us do so with tenderness, affection and with a smile!"
Another book I TOTALLY recommend is by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, A Place of Quiet Rest. I have read this book over and over and it just keeps getting better. The first chapter is almost completely yellow from all of my highlighting:)
Of course, none of these books is a replacement for reading your Bible. Our only REAL source of refreshment and help comes from God alone. We need time alone with Him! Keagan has been waking up at 4:30am lately and I have no doubt that it is the Lord helping me wake up early to be with Him. Once I'm awake- I'm awake, so having Keagan's cry as my alarm clock is the very best thing. His sweet cry is WAY better than that annoying beep! 🙂
I hope this has been encouraging to you. It has been a good reminder to myself this morning.
This photo was taken exactly one year ago. I was 3 months pregnant with Keagan (but we didn't know he was a boy and we Certainly did not know his name would be Keagan). It was the week before the fire that would burn Lombardi Ranch. We haven't been back yet. Hopefully we can make it there before Halloween.
by emily