The Masterpiece Mom

Can Someone Pleeeease Send Mom to Time-Out?!

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I watched in awe as the woman in line ahead of me cradled her phone against her shoulder, placing groceries on the sticky black conveyor belt, occasionally rocking the cart back and forth to keep her precious cargo sleeping. She grabbed her wallet and paid for her items, all the while balancing her phone, a grande cup of coffee, and a purse the size of a large bread box. When I complimented her on her excellent juggling skills, she tiredly shrugged and sighed, “Some days, all I can think about is sleep and taking a break. It’ll happen. Maybe. Someday.”

“I just don’t feel like I’m making a difference. I don’t have any other interests. I’m not serving anywhere. I’m just a mom.”

Echoes of this very idea have been whispered across the table to me in countless conversations over the years. Many feel like they should be contributing more to the world than just their work as a mother. If you’ve ever felt this way, there’s something you should know.

Mothering doesn’t need any add-ons to make it more important than it already is. You’re never just a mom. Moms play a key role in leading and nurturing the next generation. That’s not just anything. That’s huge.

Hold your head high. That thing you do with your kids is so uniquely you. No one else mothers like you. You’re a piece of a divine puzzle. No two pieces are alike.

Here at The Masterpiece Mom we talk a lot about the masterpiece God created in us. Each of us. Along with that, we know that there were good things planned for us to do in this life way back at the beginning. It truly is amazing to think about. That thing you’re doing right now that’s so hard, but so worth it in your everyday as a mom? It’s evidence of a good thing.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. — Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Keep walking toward Him as you do your thing. You’re doing so much better than you think.

If God adds more good things to your plate, fabulous. It’s one more way you can share the gifts you’ve been given.

If not? Well, then you can rest in the fact that you’re already where He wants you to be.

Our gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world.  — Janice Elsheimer, The Creative Call

 

The Day in Which I Wrote My Very First Blog Post

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The other night, I couldn’t sleep. Excitement blasted thoughts here there and yon around my brain like bits of confetti, fluttering and free. I flipped and flopped to no avail, and finally decided to get up and write a bit. I stumbled sleepily out of the bedroom, early morning blur in my eyes, only to see a single dining room chair aglow with the first hint of sunrise. It was the chair sitting right in front of my computer. Coincidence?! Maybe.

What I’ve been learning is this: God doesn’t always call us to the comfy and reliable. In fact, most of the Scriptural examples I can think of are quite the opposite. God called David away from tending docile sheep to confront a defiant giant. He placed Daniel right smack dab into a den full of lions. He challenged Peter to do more than just ride the waves, beckoning him out of the boat to walk on them!

So I got to thinking. If these followers could answer the call of obedience for giants, lions and waves, I could probably handle being stretched with blog writing and podcasting. It’s all a matter of listening to the call. And answering Yes.

My sleepy mind couldn’t quite process all the What-Ifs, but they kept on coming at me like a swarm of ravenous honey bees. Was He really wanting me to tackle this completely-out-of-my-comfort-zone writing thing, with the purpose of turning it into something for His glory? My fingers were clammy and anxious as I began to type. Having uttered the word “blog” only a few times in my life and NEVER in connection to me, I decided. The time is now! So there I sat. Still blurry eyed, but filled with purpose. And before I knew it, my first blog post Muddled and Messy was written. {I must admit, I kind of felt like Amy Adam’s character in the movie Julie & Julia about to embark on a new scary exciting blog adventure.}

Where does the new and uncomfortable find you today? Maybe you’re a brand new mom, wishing desperately that a detailed instruction manual had been delivered along with your little darling. Or maybe you’ve started a new job and you’re sending up flare prayers every five minutes in hopes you’ll remember all the fine points of this new position. Perhaps you find yourself in totally new territory, struggling to see daylight through parental illness, childhood illness, shifting routines, graduations, or an upcoming big move. Whatever your new is, may you find REST in His plans for you. They are customized plans after all. Guaranteed to fit perfectly.

So dear friends (yes, let’s be friends), thank you for your continued gracious response to the new and joining us in this space. We are so glad to be walking this road with you! We pray you will find hope and encouragement as we ponder, learn and laugh together.

Until next time…

What are some dreams you’ve put on the back shelf due to fear? We would love to hear some of the ways God is pulling you out of the comfortable and into His great plans for you.