This past February I had the privilege of attending a Mom Heart Conference in Texas with some of my beautiful sister friends. These women are so dear to my heart.They are amazing and God is so at work in their lives. We often rally around each other in encouragement and agreement that life is hard and beautiful, motherhood is hard and beautiful, and marriage is hard and beautiful. Are we right, or are we right?! I know we would all agree that we. need. each other. I need them!!!
I think we are all just trying to do our very best at this whole mom thing. That's what I see in so many of the women I get to do life with, and in the women I see at the park or at the grocery store just giving it their all. I watch my sweet friends give and give and give to their little people, and then find it in them to give some more when all they want to do is collapse from the exhaustion of it all. Honestly, sometimes I do collapse and then one of these sister friends shows up on my porch with a breve latte and a hand written note, reminding me that we don't have to journey alone. As I spent the weekend at this conference I was blown away by all of the mothers who showed up. They showed up because they want to do right by their children and the Lord. And they believe in their sacred role as a mother.
The conference we attended was put on by the amazing Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae. Sally Clarkson is a boss in the motherhood realm. Her children are grown and she has done the beautiful and hard work of motherhood. And then there is the adorable Sarah Mae who is in the thick of it, sharing her journey along the way. Together they wrote the book Desperate (Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe).If you have not read this book, READ IT (excuse the yelling). Just read it y'all:)
I took so many nuggets of wisdom home with me after listening to Sally and Sarah share their heart and vision. I am still referring to my notes and processing all that God put on my heart that weekend. I saw personal areas that I needed change, areas that definitely called for a renovation from the Lord. This conference reiterated what I know to be true from the depths of my heart... God is the starting place. Always. If I desire to create a home that is a refuge from this world and a life giving environment, I must start with God and adapt His vision as I pour into my people day in and day out. I know from experience that I can read every parenting book, and talk to countless mamas, and listen to hundreds of podcasts, but if I have not started with God my efforts always leave me discouraged and dissatisfied. So with God and His Word always being my starting place here are ten more takeaways from the Mom Heart Conference....
1. I am a better mom when I rest in God's grace, not in my failures. When I beat myself up over my failures as a mother, and allow accusation to setup permanent camp, I am stealing truth from myself. Model honor for my children- when I blow it ask for their forgiveness.
2. Dark and difficult times are going to come- I must decide to be faithful and cling to Jesus in those difficult times before they arrive.
3. My home should be a place of protection for my children. A place where who they are is accepted and celebrated. Cultivating an atmosphere where everyone and every personality belongs, praising my children for who God created them to be.
4. Walk by faith. There is no perfect formula. God shows us how to build hearts/home/legacy. God wants us to follow after what HE has called us to do...not follow after people.
5. There is great power in praying for my children and believing forward into their capacity.
6. Planning is the key to keeping things moving ahead in order. God is a God of order. Ordering our routines and rhythms produces security in my children. Nothing great comes without great effort.
7. Study my children. Learn what makes them tick and in what ways I can fill their cup as their mother. Encourage. Be their advocate/safe person. Notice their strengths. Draw out what God has put in them.
8. When it comes to instilling Biblical values into our family... value what the world doesn't. What is wrong will always be wrong, right is always right.
9. Serving people in love is the most profound thing I can do.
10. It's not about perfection, it's about holding fast. I will make tons of mistakes but never let go of God and the call he has placed on my life. When it comes to this motherhood journey and legacy building...we build one brick at a time! Slow and steady!
Loved every one. Thanks for sharing!!!!!
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