I am at an age where I have the privilege of evaluating and pondering and being philosophical about life. Many women I know started off well in pursuing their ideals as a woman, a Christian, a mother. Yet, along the way, culture gives us permission to compromise, at first, just a little and then more and more, until one doesn’t even know how far they have come from their ideals. I also find women who say, “I can’t do this,” whatever the this is–they look at themselves and their limitations and just decide it is so.
And then, of course, all of us become weary of giving and giving and giving, and this, too. leads to us becoming slack, slow, excusing ourselves.
Now I don’t want you to think I do not understand all of these thoughts and feelings, I have had them many times, but I have learned that I have a bigger capacity to endure. to work hard, to cultivate faithfulness–than I ever knew. God has shown me over the years that He will help me mount up over the difficulties that I supposed were too much for me. I had just never been trained to have character and to be strong.
That is why in Hebrews we are told, “Run the race with endurance that is set before you.” Hebrews 12: 1o-2. This does not mean gutting it out and barely making it, it means running purposefully, with a good heart, with His strength. You can do more than you think.
Join me today for more thoughts about going the extra mile, pursuing excellence at http://www.thebettermom.com/ and today, take a deep breath, put away the distractions and run this race of faith with renewed energy. May you be blessed.
Amen and thank you for that encouragement.
Thank you, both of these have really spoken to me and soothed my soul this morning. I often worry that we’re expecting too much from our kids and that they need more “fun kid stuff” in their lives. I think they definitely need balance–but I don’t need to judge their lifestyle compared to other families lifestyle choices. I need to compare their lifestyle to what we believe the Lord wants for our family. Thank you for the encouragement!
(I read the whole article and tried posting on the better moms blog, but couldn’t seem to get it to work.)
Oooh..this hit a raw nerve with me, but I am ready to be unsettled in this area and keen to change. I’m very open to the wise counsel of a woman who has been there ahead of me. If anyone has the time or the inclination, I would love some practical advice on academically or creatively stimulating boys. My boys are aged 11,10, and 9. (I also have two girls aged 6 and 4 who are very natural learners and I can’t keep up with all the exciting, stimulating things they want to do!) My boys are very involved in a sport (in which one was national chamption last year), but this sport is mostly an evening sport. I struggle to get them through their school work. They do just what they have to, in the quickest time they possibly can. They are very active boys and love to play outside, but they will also sit for hours and hours and play computer games or Ipods. I have never been comfortable with this, but it has become a natural pattern for our lives since I feel it gives me time to breath. I do very little ‘for myself’. I find it hard to have time to exercise (when I do, I usually include the children anyway), I don’t go out without the children regularly. (I might go out once every couple of months, if that.) I don’t pursue any hobbies on my own. My day is housework, household paperwork, my husband’s business paperwork, schoolwork, and sport in the evenings. I always feel like I am just keeping my head above water in regards to housework. Now, I am not complaining in any way at all here (I am very content with the life God has blessed me with), just asking for advice. How do I help my children to move away from the hold that computer and Ipod games have on them and stimulate them in other areas when I feel I barely have time to breath, or get a really good night’s sleep???
Alexandra, I can relate to your post in soooo many ways! I also have 3 ACTIVE little boys (8, 6 and 3) and would love any feedback from other moms (especially Sally) about how to engage them and get them excited to learn! They also do “just what they have to do, in the quickest time…” and I know that they can do so much more! Would love to hear any responses to your inquiry!
I’ve found homeschooling resources very helpful as parenting guides/handbooks. This is a site (the tabs) that will encourage you with your boys.
I enjoyed this post, well done!
I just keep learning and running and learning and running–thank you: )
You encourage me soooo much! I am thankful for you and am sending you a big virtual hug!
Thanks you for exporting us! I am a young mom with four children and have often felt I can’t do it. I struggle with what my faith did not look like in my hardships. If I would have read this even a few months ago I would have thought… “yep, I just need to put my big girl pants on and get over it”. But God has been doing a new work in my heart. I do have limits, I do have weakness… But He has shown me that doesn’t mean I can’t, I but that I am doing too much. Now I can read your post with hope that when I am weak and can’t that God has it for me to be even lower and faith stronger and not do more and be more to more people and then wonder why I’m falling a part
Thank you. Running the race marked out for me isn’t always easy. But knowing I have Gods endurance to strengthen me, makes it easier to do. Thanks for the reminder.
I have a friend who is always telling me, “Life is a marathon, not a sprint Bren-Friend… pace yourself!”.
Beautiful post, as usual.
thank you for your words of encouragement.
Sally, I saw your article late last night & had thought to comment, but didn’t. However, when I saw the article posted on my FB page, I knew I should say something. As, I admire you so much for the example you live before us! And all you have accomplished! andcontinue to do! I am a mother of a 38 yr. old special needs son, whom God has blesssed me to care for at home all these years as a single parent. There wasn’t any other option for me, but to embrace the privilege. On going through some dificulties last year, I realized I am simply in here for the longhaul!