nothing prepared me for the task that it is to raise children.
but i have great news. there's grace. when i am completely dry, feeling like there's no discipline left inside of my weary words, God says he will give grace - a tender, new every morning grace. this grace is not just there when we're feeling dry; it is always there, pouring tender mercies upon us so we can throw it back out at others. including my children. instead of thinking of this grace as a last resort, i want to rest upon it, cling to it, because it leads me to the cross and helps me remember what life is really all about. to know Jesus and make Him known.
it's really sweet, how your children can be really awful, but then one second later melt your heart in every way reminding you that the grace of God in giving you these babies is one of life's greatest blessings and richest rewards. the hard parts vain in comparison to these tender moments. like...
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it's really sweet, how your children can be really awful, but then one second later melt your heart in every way reminding you that the grace of God in giving you these babies is one of life's greatest blessings and richest rewards. the hard parts vain in comparison to these tender moments. like...
...thinking Christmas came early as they see our neighbor's Haloween light's lit.
...carrying a tiger-stripe pumpkin everywhere because she can.
...when little einstein's red rocket and the pumpkin tied the race to win "toy" choice of the day.
...when he does believe Christmas is here (because of those Halloween lights) and wants to wear his two fleece caps and throws in a preppy type belt just because. then i say, "i want to take your picture," and he poses for the occasion. this is what i get:
maybe he has seen a few gap commercials? ; )
-carissa
linking with rach.
22 {comments}:
That's an excellent book and an excellent verse reminder. It's so easy to grow weary -- I had those days this week. Many of them. And yet, in all of them there were these glimmers of hope and beauty. So often I think we look at the hard stuff and label our days that way. I love how you moved on from that "memo" (which I think my kids received as well) and embraced the good. Like sparkly lights or a pumpkin. Love that about you.
Your children are blessed to call you mom.
Love you.
Rach
What a great post; I am going to have to make note of that verse, I could use it often right now. Thank you.
You're right, temper tantrums are one of the most exhausting childhood issues! Thank you for reminding me of grace. No, I don't have children of my own yet, but I love them, and often am with people's:) and I love that pumpkin!!
~Simi
Oh yes, and Amen. Love what you said about resting in grace instead of considering it a last resort. His grace is sufficient for us, every hour of the day. That is good stuff.
My kids are infatuated with the tiny pumpkins, too. Q insists it makes his owies feel better??? He hit his eye with a toy or something and walked around all day with a baby pumpkin held to it. Cracked me up. :P
Last night, I went to bed weary from parenting. I needed this post really. really bad. Thank you for the encouragement.
I wrote that verse and will go and underline and pray on it today. I'm right in the middle of the season not going to grace first. It's what He does for us & I need to do it for them. AMEN!!! Those lights are pretty exciting.
thank you for this today!
love this. & so thankful for that grace.
oh those tantrum days... yes, we still have them here occasionally. Each one of those days is an opportunity to give grace!
Great post.. the amazing things we take for granted at times. Your baby boys' Model pose is beyond adorable!!
thank you for sharing this. sometimes i feel like my girl is the only one throwing tantrums every hour. :( but i needed to be reminded that in every difficult moment, there is grace...
Oh thank you thank you thank you for this. It's so funny... I just texted my mama friend this morning because my 10 month old has thrown his nap schedule out the window... I said "sometimes I wish babies didn't have free will at nap time" ... and then not even 10 minutes later I was snuggled by that same cranky 10 month old and thanking God that he DOES have free will. Oh, babies. And that must be how God feels about us! Our hurtful choices with our free will are worth the beautiful choices we make, the ones to love Him... and how I just learned that from my baby? Sigh.
I understand the tantrums...cannot imagine what it'll be like times 2....Cora carries her pumpkin everywhere as well and also likes to throw it. I wish the weather was cool enough for fleece caps but unfortunately the south always manages to heat up again!
oh carissa you are in the thick of the "hard years". i wasn't a good momma in those years. tantrums did me in. it gets better. there is still drama, but they can actually talk to you;) happy weekend girlie.
Oh dear, NOTHING prepares you for the days where NOTHING makes them happy! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.Praise the Lord that every day is a new day. Loving that Sage carries around the pumpkin. She is so accomplished!
sweet photos. i, too, love the way my babies can turn any difficult moment in a happy one in just half a second. i'm consciously trying to go with the flow more. i don't know why it's such a struggle for me.
I hear you.
"nothing prepared me for the task that it is to raise children"
I'm there. Everyday.
What a hope we have in God's great grace!
Oh, you know Carissa, if it isn't raising children, it is something else. Let me assure you that it is only God's grace that has seen me through these past 4 months. But, you are so right, there are few tasks as daunting as child rearing. But, what a joy when they grow up and you get to see the "fruits of your labor" as you watch them parent their children.
Blessings my dear! These days will be gone more quickly than you can imagine. Happy weekend!
If it wasn't for my child I would never know the true meaning of patience, self-control, and love.
Oh this is a wonderful lesson and I LOVE that pose!
though I am not a mother yet, I think you hit the nail on the head of what I'm most afraid of when I finally do become a parent {if God allows it}...it is so so comforting to hear this perspective! hope you enjoyed your weekend and survived that tantrums day ;) xoxo {av} | {long distance loving}
I agree w/AV so much with this. This is what I fear as well. But I love how you focused on God's grace through it all. I admire your ability to be a mom.
Can I come to you for advice if my time ever comes???
Emily w/Amazing Grapes
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