"Hi, Mom. I'm awake!" He greets me from the staircase, rubbing his slumber filled eyes and offering me that small half smile of his. At this time of day, he's all quiet sweetness, coming in close for my good morning hug and our daily discussion of what he wants for breakfast. Cereal? Eggs? He opts for peanut butter toast and slides off my lap to pad beside me to the kitchen.
As the day wears on, I know he'll run the gamut of his personality - from quiet and gentle to crazy loud, mightily physical and, sometimes, sensitive and soul-soft. This is the boy that his Daddy and older brother don't always understand, in their firstborn-boy ways. I've never been a second born son, but I've known a few and have my own bag of tricks for keeping him on track. Even though he might be the first child I've had who hasn't hesitated to verbally tear me down, I've got a strange confidence in the raising of this one. I know this. I've got this.
That's not to say it isn't hard. Oh is it hard! While some of my others are content to fly under the radar, he requires enormous amounts of my energy, attention and input. Some days, I'm ashamed to say, I sometimes wish he could be just a bit...easier. A bit less work. A bit more docile. But then I remember--
He's made in the image of the One I profess to adore. His strength of will reminds me of one Lion - untamed, yet good. So good. And on this daily road with this wild beast of humanity, I get to see His vibrant and profound creation. This is a heavenly day and this boy is the handcrafted work of the Almighty. If I look closely enough, I can practically see His fingerprints all over him. And when it seems so hard and more than I can contain or hope to control, I'm reminded that all I need is His word and His grace to keep up -- and, miraculously, I've got both.
That's it - I'm equipped. You are, too. When the teenager slams the bedroom door and the toddler pitches a screaming fit in the middle of Costco, you're equipped.
But is that, in and of itself, enough? We've got to lay hold of these gifts, claim them as our own, suit up each and every day that we're at this task of raising these limited edition works of Almighty art.
He doesn't leave us to figure this all out on our own. He gives us exactly what we need, and the promise to always be with us when we need a little bit of help. With the Creator of the Universe on my side, I know I can succeed. No matter what this 3 year old force of nature throws at me.
{It's Mindful Mothering Mondays, a day to take a deep breath and write out your mothering journey, whatever form it takes. A day to link up for encouragement from others who are in this same phase of life. A day of writing out the trials and triumphs and what you're learning right where you are, right now.
You might post recent struggles or thoughts. Maybe just a picture or a quote. Or maybe you'll just come here and read the links that others post. Whatever form your participation takes, this is a day for you.
We are all in this, together. Together, we can encourage and build one another up, be honest with our shortcomings and strengthened by community to keep fighting the good fight.
I chose Mondays because what Mama doesn't need a little encouragement on a Monday? As such, I'll have the link up ready to go on Sunday night for you to begin submitting your links.
I hope you'll meet with me each Monday! Here's what to do ~
Link up your post below. Remember to put the link to the exact post you want to link, and not just your blog url. Include in your post a link back here so others who want to join in can find us! And visit some other Mamas who have linked up.
Post the community graphic within your post, so people who are reading your Mindful Mothering post can come back here and find the rest of us!
Invite the writers of your favorite blogs to join in!
Share this meme with others on facebook and twitter. This community is for all moms, and the more that participate, the more we will be able to enjoy!!}
Grab the graphic here:
