Apr. 22, 2008 - Seeking the Old Paths--encouragement for moms, especially with lots!
I know a good blogger sticks to original stuff. I mean, they are full of unique, amazing words all the time. They always have something to read that makes you say WOW. Well, I've never claimed to be a "good blogger." I have a bunch of stuff to share, but I haven't yet taken pictures of our new farm additions...so that will have to wait. 
My brain is not at the moment full of anything except "mommy" and chirping of chicks in my guest room. My 3 yr old at the moment is acting like "Mrs Bennet" from Pride and Prejudice because her blankets aren't tucked in exactly right (whatever exactly right means to a 3yo) and I'd love to go to bed myself, even if the blankets aren't perfect, but I need to eat my token piece of Hershey's Cacao Reserve 65% with Cacao Nibs and read Oswald Chambers for today's devotion and Jeremiah to prepare for school tomorrow.
My knight in shining scrubs is working an all-nighter in the ER....
All that to say...no original blog today, but I was reading a blog that I found through another blog and was so encouraged by so many things she had to say, so I thought I'd copy them for you to read so I don't have to think of what to type while Mrs Bennet is trying to get to sleep.
This will mainly encourage moms of many, but I venture to say that any mama will like it. Here are some quotes from the blog Seeking the Old Paths.
To my Family, I am a servant. I don’t bother with all those high-fallutin’ made-up titles like Domestic Engineer or Home Manager…I am simply a servant. The work of my life is loving them in the most humble of ways, sometimes hidden to all but my Father. I like it this way. A quote from G.K. Chesterton speaks to my position at home:
How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No. A woman’s function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute. I will pity Mrs. Jones for the hugeness of her task; I will never pity her for its smallness.
I cannot speak for everyone who has a large family, but ours… I know. Let the record show that I did think about it before I did it. I counted the cost of pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding, homeschooling, raising these blessings of ours, and every detail involved. What I found is that it is hard. It involves excruciating pain… backbreaking, toilsome labor day in and day out, often giving what I did not know I had to more people than I knew I could love. (I love that part!)
Okay, me talking again. That was a good reminder. I have to laugh when someone meets me and hears that I have 6 children and homeschool. Some of them actually say, "Is it hard?" That really makes me want to fall on the floor and kick my feet and cry from laughter. I would -----except I might spill my decaf french vanilla coffee...and that would be sad.
Of course it's hard. When I was the mom of ONE child it was hard. But there aren't many things in life worthwhile that is easy. I just wanted to encourage you that when you have a hard moment/day/week/month/pregnancy/year....that it is to be expected. Because It is all worth it!!! Everything we do as moms/wives when done with the right attitude is a sweet smelling sacrifice to our Heavenly Father.
Our culture tells us, "What about ME?" "I need time for myself." "All I do is give and give, it's not fair." But Scripture paints an entirely different portait doesn't it? It tell us to cast our burdens on Him and He will sustain us. (Ps 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7) It tells us that true joy is not found in being served but in serving. (Gal 5:13) It says to look not on our own interests but on the interests of others. (Phil 2:4)
No doubt, many of you reading this are TIRED. You are WORN OUT. It's okay to feel that way. In fact, it goes with the job description. But please, in the midst of being sometimes overwhelmed, cast your burden on the Lord.....sing praises to Him...it will change your attitude. Continually focus and realize that all we do, much of what goes unseen, is seen by our Daddy God who loves us so much. He wants to meet you in the kitchen, the laundry room, the bathroom, and at the changing table. Remember my favorite verse? Zephaniah 3:17."The Lord will rejoice over you with singing, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with gladness." Yup YOU...if you are a child of His. He rejoices when we share our lives with him, when we ask him for wisdom in dealing with an emotional 3 yr old, when we need patience with a crying baby, when we feel like running away if one more person says, "Mommy mommy." God is pleased when we do school with the children even when we'd rather do anything else sometimes. He's pleased when we are patient with our children even if we don't feel patient. He's pleased when we encourage our husbands even when we feel like we don't have much more to give .Keep the attitude in check and everything else will flow....have a blessed week!
Comments
Apr. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SchoolinRhome
This was such a big encouragement to me this morning! Thank you so much! Now I can go tackle my day and not let it feel lik eit is tackling me! It is so-o true it is all in your attitude and focus but it is so easy to slip and get "out of focus". I know the Lord picks me up and the encouragement I find from my wonderful online blogging moms is such and uplift to me everytime I feel I could use a little boost!
You guys are like coffee to me! :)
Thanks again! Have a wonderful day in the Lord!
SchoolinRHome
Apr. 23, 2008 - Thank you!!
Posted by mlbainbridge
What a great reminder, Misty!! I need it about every hour, I think! My attitude can go from great to horrible so fast if I'm not careful! God's still workin' on me :-)!!
Michelle
Apr. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by AprilLD
thanks for that reminder..I also liked the quote you gave from the other mom..
Yes, I can't believe I can love and give as much as I do to as much as I have been given.. (my paraphrase of it)
Apr. 24, 2008 - encouraging post
Posted by Mom To Six Sweeties
I just recently posted some stuff from Julie, too! It was very encouraging and now was a very good time for me to be reminded :o)
Hope you guys are doing well!
Shyla
May. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Beautiful, encouraging words to this mom of 6 - no goats or chickens yet. :) Thank you!
Dene
