Our MODsquad Cafe Question for May is:
How has motherhood changed you?
flickr photo credit stepheye
Lara {This Adventure} :: How much space do I have? Seriously, motherhood has changed me, stretched me, and been the catalyst to transform me in more ways than I can count. Often through tears I lay down my selfishness–again and again–learning in an ever-progression the meaning of true love. (Oh and I am now good friends with Dust and Crumbs. Have you met them?)
Tracie {{tsj} photography} :: Motherhood made me realize the importance of a close relationship with our Savior. Before children, and even with my first, I was living for me. But as we went through some valley’s in life that could’ve potentially affected my girls, I knew I wanted them grounded to something more than themselves and the things of this world. Raising them for Him and their eternal home is my number one priority in this life.
Terilynne {Terilynneu.com} :: The biggest change in me since becoming a mother is a keen awareness of my need for the Lord … always. I see my stubborn heart revealed when I am faced with the stubbornness of my daughter. But that same revelation leads me to a renewed passion for ever more grace – received and given.
Melissa N. {Fill My Cup} :: Motherhood has taught me to follow His Will and place more trust in His perfect love. Before children, I thought that I was the high power career woman type that would have kids, working during the day and playing with children at night. Little did I know that after the birth of my first child God would reveal to me that my true calling was to stay home and be present for everything from the gross spit-ups to exciting firsts. And, everywhere in between I’ve learned to wear my heart on my sleeve. As scary as it is, I can’t control everything with my children, but I CAN trust the One who does. This has made my life and faith more genuine.
Shelly {Life on the Wild Side} :: You mean besides the 20 extra pounds I’m carrying? I guess I’d say that motherhood has expanded my heart. Before I had kids, I was filled up, or so I thought, with love for my husband. I didn’t think there was room for more. And then I had one child . . . and my heart made room for her. And then I had another . . . and my heart grew some more.And then a third . . . and my heart expanded yet again. Becoming a mother has shown me that love is exponential—it just grows and grows and grows. And just when I think I can’t love my children any more than I already do, my heart grows again. What a gift. It helps me see how much the Father loves me. Immeasurably.
Sara {Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet} :: Motherhood has provided opportunity for hope to grow. Seeing the exchange of my weak prayers for, then, His tangible response in and through my children has slowly contributed to the reality revealed in my heart that “yes, God can do anything.”
Melissa R. {Madabella: made beautiful} :: Becoming a mother has opened my eyes. I see my selfish ways when little daughters need all of me. It has opened my heart to receive more love, more joy and even more pain when they ache over fears and hurts I can’t take away. I see life’s simplicities and subtleties that leave me in breathless wonder about God and the blessing He bestows. Most of all becoming a mother has humbled me, as I reach out needful hands to a Savior whose grace I so desperately need.
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And now we want to hear your heart! How has motherhood changed you? Let’s chat! Share this conversation with other moms on Twitter and Facebook and let’s keep the conversation going and the table growing!
P.S. Happy Mother’s Day!
15 Comments
Like the others have mentioned, motherhood helped take my focus off of me, to pull me out of my selfish ways. It also showed me how much I need a Savior. I make mistakes ALL the time. Seeing how my kids look at me, though, encourages me to keep getting better!
As I found myself reading each of these, I kept saying, YES! YES! YES! All of these responses resonate with me and I am reminded again how God uses our daughters to draw us closer to Him.
Happy Mother’s Day to each of you!
Melissa | Madabella: made beautiful recently posted..Mothers Day DIY- Chalkboard Pots Herbs
Motherhood has changed me in so many ways. It helped me grow up. Taught me how to trust and lean in closely the arms of my Father. I feel that I am still learning so much, I still fail and feel like a bad mommy much of the time. Motherhood has taught me about forgiveness and grace!
I love that image Heather of leaning closely into your Father’s arms! Beautiful.
All of these responses are beautiful and true!
I would have to say that motherhood has finally made me open my eyes to the true concept of eternity. I love my children so much and can’t stand the thought of not seeing them and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren, and on and on…I have come to really understand that we can have that legacy of eternity in Christ. But with him, we can have an eternity with our loved ones and every thing we do and every trial we face and overcome as parents has eternal value. But without salvation and the promise of heaven our moments as parents are a meaningless vanity–like dust in the wind.
Jamie (@va_grown) recently posted..Count Down to an Omlet
Motherhood has humbled me like nothing else, throwing me at the feet of my Father in desperation, beginning my journey towards seeing how desperate I am for Him, in general, mother or not. It has prompting the digging out the roots of selfishness that seem so deep within me and has brought me the joy of understanding a tiny bit more the Father’s gaze on me, as I experience, in love, the gifts of my children. Happy Mother’s Day to you! Thank you for for this chance to connect around such a beautiful topic.
I so understand your heart Heather! Motherhood has been how God has rooted out in me, my selfishness as well. What a journey!
I thought I understood Grace…then I became a mother and the light bulb went on!
I thought I was patience …then I became a mother and realized I needed to be MORE patient.
I was a mild worrier…then I became a mother and was a BIG worrier.
I was always an on time kinda gal…then I became a mother. Now I am a kinda late gal.
I have always loved teaching kids Bible stories…then I became a mother and get to watch my own kids LOVE the stories in the Bible.
I was good at doing things myself…then I became a mother and needed ALL the help I can get.
Jesus has always been my best friend…then I became a mother and I understood why we call Him Savior!!!
With Joy, Carey
Carey Bailey recently posted..i heart moms- week four
Carey this is beautiful and poetic! Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for the open door Stacey! With Joy, Carey
Motherhood taught me about unconditional love. I didn’t believe you could love like this until I held my daughter in my arms. It changed me there and then. The world became a brighter place. It also brought me closer to my husband as I could finally believe in a love like that.
I had to face many emotions but it was worth it to learn of love z
Sara recently posted..The mask has slipped
I think being a mother has changed me drastically in a lot of superficial ways, but the most profound way is that before I was a mother I didn’t feel an intense yearning for ‘quiet times’ with God. I loved God, but we more or less had a running conversation, in drips and drops. Now that I’m a mother (of 3 under 4 plus one due in November!?!), I ache for that solitude. And when I don’t get it, my mothering skills take a nosedive. I am much more aware of the fact that the best way to serve my family is to first serve God with my whole heart. Thank you for allowing me to participate!
Sarah recently posted..Mothers Day
Motherhood has, like many others here, revealed my selfish nature… and then is chasing it away (still in progress). Having children also keeps me present, in the moment. I’m a planner (and a worrier), yet when my son climbs up in my lap and giggles, he pulls me right into just that moment of love with him. I’m so thankful to God for these challenging and truly joy-filled lessons.
I loved reading everyone’s responses!
Caroline recently posted..Five Minute Friday- Motherhood Should Come With
I just wrote about it this morning… Started a series of short posts on motherhood called “I Love You More” writing down how I am changing because of my child
First quick post “I Love You More than Coffee” is here
http://metrobelarus.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-love-you-more.html
Helen recently posted..I Love You More
Oh this is really sweet Helen! I always tell my girls, “I love you more than ice cream…” but coffee?
Of course, more than that even with the cream!
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