There are days, when to blog what life really feels like would be neither encouraging nor actual reality.
Transparency, vulnerability, authenticity—it all has its place.
But not every day in the life of a tired, pregnant momma.
I try to blog about the fun things, the little things, the things that make us smile.
Because in blogging about them, I focus on them: I focus on the gifts.
Yes, there are days when the tears overflow with the laundry. When I’m so overwhelmed I don’t even know why. When I’m exhausted and ready to crawl back into bed right after breakfast that followed a good night’s sleep.
And on those days, as I stare at passages from Colossians through blurred eyes, trying to find my way in the storm of emotions, I see the word “thanks” in the mist and remember. I remember and try to cling to what I know is the only way to make it through: in all things, give thanks.
When everything’s too short and precious little actually fits and nothing meets in the middle, I can be thankful for fertility and new life.
When the laundry overflows with things the girls never even wore last weekend, I can be thankful that they are learning to pick up their clothes (even if it means they are putting clean clothes in the laundry).
When I dissolve into tears yet again, I can be thankful for a loving husband who is home today and feeds me and puts me to bed and tries to make the girls be quiet so I can rest.
And as I close my eyes, I can fight the tears by continuing to count the gifts. Just count the gifts, just give thanks…and rest in His grace.
So, so true. Praying for you, dear friend…
Thank you, Jessica. I know you know what it’s like to be pregnant and have a little one to care for!
Praying for you and baby! How wonderful to have such a loving, caring, devoted husband who understands. And sweet little girls to make you smile
Thank you. And amen and amen.
::HUGS::
Wish I could pop over and take care of the laundry for you, or whatever was most needed to give you a little boost. I really, really do.
But this post made my own eyes blink back tears. How many times have I only made it because of His grace…and counting all these gifts.
Thank you, dear one. I know you’re hanging in there, too, in a different set of circumstances. It’s only through Him, isn’t it? HUGS.
You are so not alone in having days like this, Gretchen! I’m right there with you, and I know plenty of other young mom are too. People often remind me that our children are at difficult ages. Even if our 3 year old knows how to pick up toys, it doesn’t mean they’re necessarily a huge help yet. I was telling my husband the other day that I feel as if I’m expecting my 3 year old to act like a six year old, and I think some of that stems from having kids so close together. I hope today is better for you!
Thank you, Jessica. It’s such an encouragement to hear I’m not alone. And that 3-year-olds are 3-year-olds!
I had a long, long chat with a veteran homeschool mom of six this morning. She encouraged me a lot regarding expectations–not only my expectations of my children, but my expectations of myself–and that all those feelings of failure and inadequacy are not of God.
Thanks for the encouragement!
This is something I think about a lot. The way we present the positive aspects of ourselves when we are blogging or posting on Facebook but not so much of the negative ones. Are we posing?
Yet, like you say, if we posted every negative thought that crossed our mind, it wouldn’t be too edifying. And we’d have a lot of regrets.
How to be authentic, yet guard what we say to a certain extent? It’s tricky…
Your transparency is so encouraging today.
As another pregnant soon-to-be-mommy, I’m dealing the constant battle for joy. Sometimes reading other’s blogs its easy to think that no one else struggles with such things.
Thank you for reminding me to give thanks. I’ve been thinking about all the verses that relate a sacrifice with thanksgiving or gratitude…the idea that it is not always an easy thing to give, but such a pleasing gift to the Father.
Blessings to you – oh, and I *love* the snowflakes!