I don’t remember dreaming of my wedding day as a child, but surely I shared the same fantasies as most little girls. By high school, my focus shifted to academics. What college would I attend? What job would I choose?
Marriage and motherhood simmered on a back burner, untended and unnoticed, relatively unnecessary {or so I thought}. God’s sense of humor remains one of his more under-appreciated attributes.
In May of my senior year, with an acceptance letter to an Ivy League college in hand, I met a boy—The Boy—and everything changed: a shift in my expectations, priorities, goals. We’ve been together ever since and brought eight lovely children into the world.
I’d focused on my brain and how to use it, but little did I know: motherhood is my superpower.
Motherhood is My Superpower
- I can sustain a life inside of me for nine months and outside of me for several more
- My body can stretch to carry and deliver a 9+ lb. baby
- My heart can expand to embrace new children without diminishing the love for the ones who came before
- I can teach a child to read
- I’m more stubborn than a 2 year old
- I declared potty training an effective method of birth control, and still brought more children into the world (and potty trained them)
- I can cut hair
- I can remove large splinters from a screaming child’s hand, while pausing for hugs
- I can pull a loose tooth with a piece of dental floss faster than a 6 year old can yell ouch!
- I can graduate sons and send them off into the world and not break apart
- I can suffer with a child and emerge stronger on the other side
Motherhood isn’t for the faint. Neosporin may heal a child’s wounds, but it takes the balm of grace to sooth a mama’s heart. As wise parents swaddle a crying baby, weary mamas rest in the cocoon of God’s love.
Surprised by Motherhood
Today I celebrate with my friend Lisa-Jo Baker as she releases her first book, Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected about Being a Mom. Download the first three chapters here and become a part of the story behind the story—building a community center for vulnerable children in a South African community—here.
How were you most surprised by motherhood? Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Surprised by Motherhood
Sounds like a sweet read to me!
I needed the reminders about being more stubborn and potty training a two year old. I also love that weary Mama’s can rest in the cocoon of God’s love. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Great post! I would love to read the book!
Just how much it would give my mother back to me —
I have been surprised by how much I can love someone–and how putting her needs before my own feels (mostly) joyful rather than painful.
Thank you for sharing the video – I am in tears.
Through being a mother, I am blown away by the revealing glimpses of God’s amazing immense grace!
Whether it is in the moments of soothing the wounded heart of my child, or in the moments when I extend mercy (because that small act of disobedience was a misdirected cry for love and a hug so sorely needed).
Our heavenly Father always shows up, whether it be in fleeting moments of highest ecstatic joy, or the deepest of the darkest nights. He is here. His grace washing over me and bringing hope I did not know existed.
I am overwhelmed by His mercy, His grace, His love, His hope, His joy. His strength, when I am bone-weary. And then, I pray: That all of HIM, is seen and experienced by my child, through this humble vessel, simply called, “Mommy”.
My child knowing Him is my heart’s greatest cry.
Motherhood has surprised me the most by how hard it is, but so worth it! I knew it would be hard physically, but the emotional part is even harder.