The Hardest Part of All {Mindful Mothering Mondays}

{We're finally heading back to school today.  The first day back is always a little bit trickier than any other, so I'm just quickly dropping this archived post here today.  I hope you enjoy it, and the pictures of my great big girl trying to stand (those thighs!). It may be just the reminder I need.  If you think of it and have a moment, I'd love a few prayers for peace, calm and minimal struggle today.}

Although I entered motherhood at a young age, by today's standards, I thought I had a pretty good grasp of what it took to be a decent mother.  I was raised in a larger than average family and homeschooled so I had a front row seat to daily life as a Mom.  At least, I thought I did.

I watched my Mom rock babies and kiss the scraped up palms of hysterical toddlers.  I saw her cook and clean with a song in her heart and a babe on her hip.  I could do that...right?

The truth is, the difficult parts of being a Mom aren't found in the blackness of sleepless nights, or the stark slopes of laundry mountains.  The biggest struggle isn't in the changing of twelve diapers a day, potty training accidents or breastfeeding struggles.  Caring for a whole family in the throes of a stomach bug is like child's play next to the real, bone crushing, soul deep struggles that Mothering brings.  The ones that make you face down your very own self, seeing failures and flaws daily showcased.

Coming in contact with the humanness of knowing exactly who and where you want to be, and falling short day after day after day.

But perhaps therein lies the importance of it all.  This work cannot be boiled down to a cook/clean/childcare/chauffeur position.  No true price tag can be placed on it.  How does one quantify the costs and benefits of a job that rips down to your raw soul and yet gives you the strength and motivation to continue on?  This is no desk job, no 9-5, "leave work at the office" kind of position.   This is a life, a calling that seamlessly blends the service of others, sacrifice of self and the searching of soul.

Mothering requires us to take a long, hard look at who we fundamentally are, warts and all.  There is no brushing it under the rug, no ignoring the mess.  Its stares us down each and every day.  But when you see that, when you are forced to acknowledge the flaws in you, that is when you can begin to do something about it.

The hardest part of all is also the best part of all.  Even as you end your day knowing how you've once again messed it up, you can look forward to a a new day, mercies springing up in the sunshine, and resolve to do, and be...better.

{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:

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