A Journey Between Two Worlds: Embracing Life’s Dualities
It’s a strange, hard, fun, and wonderful place I’m in right now—almost like standing between two worlds. I find myself with one foot in each realm, peering back and forth with eyes that see so much larger now than they once did.
Motherhood: Navigating the Beautiful Chaos
I am in the middle of my life, or as much as I can presume. As a mother, I still snuggle my 2 and 5-year-old who think I am their whole world. At the same time, I’m a grandmother watching my daughter and son-in-law begin the joys and trials of living as a family. I want so much to tell her that today’s struggles will become faint memories tomorrow, yet I know she must learn that lesson just as I did. Balancing the needs of children of every age is a careful dance that I continually navigate.
The Evolution of Parenting: Wisdom Through Experience
I’ve become more relaxed—my older kids often remind me of this. Hopefully, I’ve learned, just a little, to let the little things go. I remember when my days were so busy with the essentials of raising small children that I may not have enjoyed the moments as fully as I should have.
Cherishing the Fleeting Moments: Reflections on Time
Now, when my adult children come home and I feel giddy about us all being together again, I’m reminded to cherish this time—it’s fleeting. And while this idea may seem cliché, it resonates deeply. Young mothers, hear me: you will not arrive at a place where life gets easier. Instead, you must learn to anchor where you are, give thanks in everything (and I mean everything—even the pain), and do your best in the present while keeping the future in mind.
The Heart Outside Your Body: Coping with Growing Children
You may leave behind the harried and tired stresses of young motherhood, but you will face the new challenge of having your heart forever walk outside your body. As your children grow, you’ll feel their pain, watch their mistakes, and find yourself unable to fix things this time. Slowly, you will realize that these children are not truly yours; they have been entrusted to you for a season, and ultimately, the Lord holds them.
Embracing the Struggles: Finding Goodness Amidst Chaos
I used to think, “One day, it will be easy.” The truth is, it’s never easy, nor will it ever be. But it is good. It is exactly where our Heavenly Father wants us, right where He grows us, compelling us to lose more of ourselves and become more like Him.
God’s Purpose in Our Parenting Journey: Becoming More Like Him
That has been the goal all along.
Absolutely lovely, Kelly. It’s so hard when you can’t fix the adult problems. Excellent reminder to keep an eye on eteternity and look to God. You have a beautiful family!
Thank you, Lisa!
Love this!!!
Thank you, Kimberly!
Amen.
Thank you for the pics. You are beautiful. Inside and out. ❤️
Thank you for putting into words the truth of motherhood. I have children 3-24 and I feel so similar to this post.
Thank you, Layne!
Love this, Kelly! We are in the same season with kids ages 3 to 26, and four grandchildren. As my youngest gets older, I cling to those “you are my whole world” moments as I know they will fade soon. And yet, spending time with my adult girls, and transitioning to more of a friend role is so sweet. I love the unique dynamics of when they need me as mom, and when we simply enjoy one another’s company as friends. But indeed, managing everything in between is hard. People going in different directions, missing those days when everyone was around the table at every meal, and adjusting to the constantly changing dynamics of being in two worlds is definitely not easier….but it’s GOOD!
Cherish the little years, young mamas!
I think every mom will look back and wish she took more time to bend low and really listen (not with just “uh-huh” and “oh?” while whizzing around doing a bazillion things); to have laughed more; to have fretted less; to have set aside the urge to have everything in its proper place. Of course we need those who have run the race before us to continue to encourage us and prepare us, but somehow we all end up needing to learn on our own.
It’s like all those books on marriage that are suppose to prepare the starry-eyed bride how to be the best and most godly wife. But in reality, no bride can fully know how to walk the path until she is on it. We learn as we journey, as we fail and see our need for Christ.
Thank you for encouraging us to simply be thankful for where we are at. Not to wish for yesterday or tomorrow, but to live in the present with Christ as our strength.
D.
A very insightful point. It is true…there is a degree to which one can never prepare or learn enough to be a good mother, wife, etc. It is only really learned in the living.
So much wisdom in this post and in the comments. Thank you ladies!