oftentimes, in the middle of tantrums, tears, and testy days its easy to feel overwhelmed, underthankful and just flat out crabby. when it's only 9 am and you just changed your fourth poopie diaper, it's easy to lose sight of the end goal. i'll be the first to admit my guilt.
i love getting sweet reminders that cue me in on my ungratefulness/bad attitude and change my perspective. because it's way more than dirty diapers. it's about shaping little hearts and minds. teaching them, training them, showing them Jesus.
this song by andrew peterson has served as my reminder lately. my hubby wrote the lyrics down in a card to me. it served as a major encouragment. being a parent is about giving your children roots; "planting trees" so that one day they will "spread their branches out..."
andrew peterson's planting trees
verses 6 and 7
"She rises up as morning breaks
She moves among these rooms alone
She moves among these rooms alone
Before we wake
And her heart is so full; it overflows
She waters us with love and the children grow
So many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless someone"
it's deeper than dirty diapers. it's about planting trees.
43 {comments}:
Thanks for the reminder, Carissa! I have those moments, too, as does every mom, I think... Fortunately God's grace is abundant~ I need it! Love those lyrics~ I'm going to have to look that one up. have a great weekend!
Way to go,sweetie!!! I love the part....about planting trees:)...
Im going to write this down:)...Happy Friday and enjoy your little cuties...I bet even with all the dirty dipers they are adorable:)
Hope you will have a chance to relax a bit, this weekend:)
Kisses
So true, my friend. So often it's easy to look at just the top growth and forget the entire network of roots that we are establishing.
You are doing a great job. Really.
Rachel
Amen! I love this! Thank you for the reminder. It's so easy to get overwhelemed with little ones but the end goal is what needs to be the focus. Hope you're finding rest in between poopie diapers ;)
Thank you! What a beautiful reminder. We just have to keep watering these babies with love.
Great song and great words! It is so easy to loose track of what motherhood {and fatherhood for that matter} is really about. I know I for one can sometimes get caught up with everdays, like diapers and crayon covered walls, but these lyrics put everything into perspective.
I have never met you in person but I know you are a wonderful mother and woman Carissa!
Absolutely love Andrew Peterson's work, he's an awesome lyricist. Such a great reminder, girl! Thank you!
Carissa, like my mom said, you're doing a great job. Beautiful truth in this post.
I love getting little moments of realization when I'm struggling with something. The other day I was feeling down about my weight, and then my dad called me over to show me a video about Jesus on the cross.
It really changes your perspective.
Much love,
--Hannah
What a great reminder. I find myself pleading with God daily to help me keep the end goal in sight.
What a sweet song!
such a good reminder!
That was such a good reminder, Carissa. Thank you for posting. As Hannah said, it put's you in perspective.
In Christ,
Lizzy Rose
Wow, that is SO true, Carissa! Like Rachel and Hannah said - you're doing a wonderful job!
Happy Friday!!
~ Lindsay <3
Yes it is...planting trees rooted in Him. Great reminder.
I think I am super emotional today b/c the tears are streaming down my cheeks! Thanks for this :)
This is such a great song! :o)
A great song and a great reminder....Have a good weekend
So sweet! You have a wonderful hubby :) And I love that song/reminder! It's easy to get overwhelmed in the midst of all things baby. But I try to remember too, that we can do even the mundane diapers/feeding, etc., for the Lord, and it pleases Him. Hang in there, it does get easier!
Lovely post, Carissa! This is so, so true.
You're doing a wonderful job, sweet gal!
Love and Blessings,
Hannah
I love how 'real' you are, Carissa! It's so refreshing. Be Blessed today...
Hey, if you get a chance, check out my new blog that I added...a study of Proverbs: http://proverbsforeveryday.blogspot.com
This is JUST what I was needing today... THANKYOU for sharing...
I needed an attitude change this morning...right after I discovered Colt on his hands and knees lapping up a liquid on the floor...the liquid turning out to be Emma's pee. *sigh* awesome times.
Hang in there friend! :) You're doing a great job :)
SUCH a beautiful song! I love the melody, lyrics, everything! Thanks for sharing and thanks for your comments:)
Thanks for sharing! I had never heard that song but it is really good. It is so easy to get stuck in the routine of little people and not realize that what we are doing is making little people grow into big people!
Thank you for the encouragement today! I needed that-some days my work seems pointless. But I know my purpose is greater than that.
Think we all need this reminder on occasion! Thanks! Have a great weekend!
My youngest is eight. By now, those times seem like something to be missed. It's like childbirth. love makes you forget the difficult times!
Blessing!
Oh, that is SO sweet!! Thank you so much for sharing that - how beautiful! I've been thinking about this lately. I miss the season you are in. It is HARD - so physically and emotionally demanding but it is so simple and it goes by SO fast! I know everyone is always saying that but really, they do go by in a blink and I miss those baby days.
In some ways, now that mine are a little older, it's easier, but it's still overwhelming and really hard and complicated...
Thanks so much for posting the song, we all enjoyed listening to it!
So true! What great reminder! You are an awesome momma!
How true!! Thank-you for the sweet reminder that what IS important is shaping their little minds & hearts for Christ!
Jessica
What a great song and a great reminder. I had never heard this song before. Thanks for sharing! I know you are really in the thick of it right now, but hold fast. I hope you get to enjoy a great weekend with your family and have a moment to relax. :)
Oh,the depth of your entry! As a Mom of two grown children I can tell you that seeing your children grow and flourish in the Lord is one of the greatest blessings this life has to offer. It makes it all worthwhile and yes, it is about planting trees with deep roots. Sunshine and rainbows to you! Hugs!
oh, and when they turn 26, 24, 22, 20, and 18, you
find you have five more wonderful friends!
you are sowing all you love, tears, and sleep now
but will have infinite rewards.
That is SO SWEET - I've never heard that before.. I love it :-)
So true friend, I love this post!! Never heard that song before! How sweet of your hubs to write it in a card for you :0)
xoxo
Summer :0)
Beautiful truth....you're doing a great job, girl.
Love!
Brianna
what a beautiful song and such a thoughtful hubby for writing the lyrics down!! you are doing such a great job planting trees!! :) thinking about you- thank you so much for your sweet comment- it made me smile! i miss you!!!!
oh and i just added you on facebook if that is okay :) i thought that would help us keep in touch!!
So very true! I am working on this on a daily basis. Thanks for sharing this song too. Beautiful!
~blessings
Dorcas
True true! Perfect illustration of our 'day' jobs!! One of my friends told me early on... my job is the most important job in the world... raising Amazing people takes amazing love and patience!! true true! =)
hi carissa,
such a nice post...planting trees...yes, good reminder indeed.
i love your miscellany monday post, btw. it always amazes me that you have so many neato tidbits to share in those posts.
aww, i would have cried too if my baby's curls were cut off...!
xoxo
I love this post! I really needed the reminder. Thanks!
Needed this reminder this morning!
Thank you!
Loved this post and awesome pictures....
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