The Harsh Truth of Motherhood

It wasn't the first day of school that was hard, it was the second. She was aware of what the day would look like and how long she would be away from me. The excitement had worn off and reality had set in. As I was watching it all unfold, I realized something vital that is shifting the way I parent. It's a harsh reality for a mother's heart but an ever so important one if I am really going to prepare them for this life. ​

The harsh truth is that my daughters are not going to need me forever. As I type it, my heart stings a bit. The beauty of motherhood is that they see your face and they love you. You are their comfort, their joy, their magical boo boo eraser, their safe place, their everything. There is something beautiful and breathtaking about it all. Yet time is fleeting and the moments are sacred but it's not forever. The truth is they won't need me forever, but they will need the Holy Spirit forever. And when I watched my Harper Grace, my rainbow baby, my brave girl walk away on the second day of school I saw the unsteadiness on her face. I saw the fear, and I saw the shakiness in her little legs and there was nothing I could do for her. I wanted to throw the van in park, ruin the drop off line orderliness and run up the sidewalk and hug her with all of my might. (If it happens again, I just might do that) But what I realized is that I want to teach her how to speak to God. I want to teach them that they have the Spirit inside of them and if they need peace, they have access to the Prince of Peace. If they need self-control, they can pick the fruit of self-control like a super power. 

So how? How do we teach them? We have to be the influencer. We must be the visual for them to see. Phew...what a tall order. An order covered in grace and mercies and countless opportunities to try again and again. We will be known by our fruit not by our gifts. We will be known by being a person of peace rather than a person of many talents. We must practice and prune our gardens of the fruit of the Spirit. I long to plant and nurture a garden of patience and joy so that my children can walk through and pick its' fruit. They will know what it looks like, they will know what it feels like. Even before they fully understand it all, their worldview is being shaped by you. 

As mothers we have an incredible opportunity to empower our children to know how to access God the Father. How you see Him will be how they see Him. How you pray will be how they pray. When the pressure is on how do you respond and react? Have you already been practicing joy that in the midst of the current circumstance, you can claim the joy that you have been nurturing?

Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That's how you show that you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm, and collected no matter what you're facing.
Proverbs 17:27 The Passion

And what I SO love about the true pure heart of the Father is that when we miss this moment, He gives us another chance. He isn't mad, He is patient. He doesn't focus on our mistakes. Jesus already nailed all of those to the cross. The Father is focused on making you new. The Father is focused on your righteousness, He focused on the second chance He is going to give you tomorrow to be an example of kindness to your children. And He will smile and be a proud Father, because that is who He is. He is for you and He wants to do this with you. And He sent us the most incredible partner for this crazy season of life. The Holy Spirit. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not asking the Spirit for help! Constant help mothering these beauties I have been blessed with. Because I am not just simply raising children and staying at home and playing all day. (Oh the comments I get from strangers) I am raising:

• Kingdom warriors
• Women of God who know who they are and Whose they are
  
• Leaders of the next generation
  
• Creatives
  
• Artists
  
• Worshippers
  
• Believers
  
• World Changers
  
• Culture Shifters

My children will not need me forever. But they will always need the Father. May my garden be rich and plentiful of the fruit of the Spirit that my children's children's children will walk through and be nourished. 

Today matters. And what you are doing today will echo in eternity and for generations to come. 

                                                                                                      Much Love,
                                                                                                               Heather