”Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it yet?”
~Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
It is more than a comfort to know that each day offers the promise of a tomorrow–a new day, with no mistakes in it, yet.
The yet, perhaps, is the important word in that sentence! Because mistakes will surely be made. I will speak too sharply to someone, and I’ll forget to start dinner on time. Perhaps I’ll forget to return a phone call or water a plant. In the past, those sorts of things weighed heavy on my heart. Why couldn’t I just get everything accomplished, as everyone else seemed to do? Why was I still impatient and unorganized sometimes?
Sometimes it is assumed that anyone who speaks or writes or works to inspire other moms has “arrived” to some extent. There can be an illusion that at my house, everything is perfect, no one is ever cross, and there’s no effort necessary to keep things running smoothly. This, I can assure you, is not the case!
“I do not consider myself to be a perfect mother. My aspirations and what I can idealize oftentimes far exceed my ability to live up to them in reality. Yet it is in being able to visualize the dreams of my heart and beauty of God’s design that I have found a standard of maturity to move toward.
As I reflect on my own life, I feel that I have learned so much–the hard way, by making many mistakes. Many moments of stress and struggle could have been handled so much more easily if I had had a wiser, older woman to shed light on my stages of life. It was through writers like Edith Schaeffer that I was encouraged and helped along my way. My hope is that in some way, I might be able to provide that same encouragment and inspiration.”~ from The Mission of Motherhood
Mistakes will be made, and our ideals are not always realized. Through the words of wise women ministering to me both through their writings and in person, I’ve been shown both ideals to aim for, and the reality of life–and best of all, the truth that I can always begin again!
Aim high, sweet mama. And when mistakes come, know they are covered by the One who holds all in His hands, and whose mercies are “new every morning!”
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”~Lamentations 3:22-23
That is one thing I long for – a mentor. My pastor has been excellent about answering questions and the like, but I would love to have an older, wiser woman to travel this journey with me. Maybe I need to add that to my prayer list.
Great words to start the morning off!
For me, it is through writers like Sally Clarkson, that I have been encouraged along the way
!
Hope you have a great day!
Oh Sweetest Sally,
I wish you were my neighbor. I’m so thankful that you mentor us through your books and blogs.
Sweet Jesus, Thank you for fresh starts every day!
“Many moments of stress and struggle could have been handled so much more easily if I had had a wiser, older woman to shed light on my stages of life.”….you are this for me…<3 THANK YOU!
Love this!! I was JUST talking on the phone this morning with a friend and we were talking about how frustrating it is at times when it seems like we just mess up all the time…especially in areas that we know the Lord is working on. I think we agreed it’s because its a process. When we surrender an area to the Lord we have to just rest in that and wait for Him to work it in us not try to “make” ourselves be better. We are going to make mistakes, however, those can be the very points at which He teaches us the greatest lessons and where He is shown the strongest! I love the idea of aiming HIGH though…I struggle with that at times. Just have a rotten attitude…it needs to change!
Interestingly, I just got a copy of My Antonia from the library and it has that same painting on its cover. Love it!
Oh I needed those words today!
Today I felt like a big fat failure! How long have we been homeschooling? Since 1992. (and a little before)
Yet today, I stressed myself out with worry about 2 of our girl’s study habits.
UGH.
I know that the Lord will work these things out in due time, with my gentle direction, not with my overstressed mommy attitude. :/
Even as a mom who is now 60 with 3 adult children and 2 middler schoolers, I need to be reminded of these things. Thanks!
Sure needed that today