Tag: inspirational


Motivate Me Monday- Ok, Miss Negativity, Be Gone

March 1st, 2010 — 1:01am

In Anne of Green Gables, Miss Stacie always had this quote she would say to Anne: Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it. (I have to add one word….”Yet.”) It’s fresh with no mistakes in it….yet. At least, that’s my motto.

Lately, I’ve had my days where I feel like the most horrible mama in the world. With both homeschooling and working from home, I feel like some days are a blur, they go so fast. I mean, my kids haven’t gotten outside for a few days (granted, one’s been sick, and it’s been cold, cold, cold); my toddler has been watching way more tv than the “experts” think he should watch; and frankly, I’ve had my moments where the last thing I want to do is sit down and play a round of the infamous Candy Land or the even more infamous Mouse Trap. (Have you ever tried to put Mouse Trap together? Mouse Trap is so not my friend; in fact, when the name is even said, I cringe inside. LOL) I’ve even had moments, seconds, where I’ve done the unthinkable….(gasp)….I’ve yelled, raised my voice, at them….(Hey, I’m just keepin’ it real here; I am soooo not perfect).

Does the fact that I have let my toddler watch Sesame Street and Max and Ruby during quite a bit of our homeschool hours lately make me a bad mom? Does the fact that my kids haven’t gotten any sunshine for the past week make me a failure? Does the fact that my kids might not have 3-4 organic fruits and veggies on their plate at every meal make me despicable? Does the fact that I occasionally shut myself in the bathroom just to have a second of peace or sneak a bite of chocolate make me a terrible mother? (I just have to say here that the bathroom is not my sanctuary anymore….it’s becoming “the place to be,” the proverbial gathering place, the feeding trough for my little natives….need I say more?) Does the fact that I totally lost it trying to teach myself and Jacob origami last week make me horrible?

I’ve been mulling this over the last few days; I really have. You can ask my dear, sweet husband, as he is my ever faithful, listening ear. I may not feel like a good mom some days, but at the end of the day, when I kiss those 2 precious boys and tuck them into bed and hear the words, “Mommy, I love you,” I know I’ve gotta be doing something right. When my oldest asks me if he can help carry the groceries in, maybe my efforts with him on manners/courtesy lately are finally paying off. When my toddler actually listens to me in the store and looks me in the eye and stops his erratic behavior (granted, it took 3 times, but he finally listened), maybe the efforts to stay consistent are working. Maybe I’m being too unrealistic and harsh with myself.

Maybe this has happened with you. Do you go through each day, feeling as if you can’t get anything right? No matter how hard you try, you just feel like you are failing? Maybe it’s time to stop judging yourself so harshly, especially when it comes to comparing yourself with other mamas. So what if you need to turn Sesame Street on for a little bit? (I have that puppy set to record on my DVR.) So what if your child doesn’t get his organic peas and carrots at every meal? If your kids are loved by you, and they know it….if your kids are learning and growing more and more each day….if you are doing your best, then you are doing a good job, Mama. Don’t overthink this motherhood task. Relax, and enjoy the ride (and we all know it’s going to be a long, rollercoaster ride). See yourself through your Heavenly Father’s eyes, Who loves you more than you’ll ever know. Even when we fall, He is right there to pick us up and dust us off, and kick our rears in motion again. I promise you that when you start seeing yourself in His light….being a faithful, Godly, and consistent mama is only going to get better and better because the judgment is gone. You can finally focus on what’s important, your children, not yourself.

So, remember, Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it….yet. Give yourself that margin of error; it’s ok.:)

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

1 comment » | Inspirational Heart Prints, Parenting & Raising Children, Real Heart Prints

Motivate Me Monday- Setback or Advantage

February 22nd, 2010 — 1:01am

I posted a status on Facebook last week that basically said that sometimes in homeschooling, we have to take a step back and reevaluate, because who cares about a schedule, if learning isn’t taking place.  There’s a story behind that status, as there usually is.:)

In our homeschooling adventure, I’ve caught myself more times than not, wanting to follow a rigorous schedule, not listening to my gut that tells me we need to slow down.  We started a bit late in our history curriculum, so I had it all planned out that we would do so much a week and get “caught up.”  Not that we’re really behind, because with this particular course, it really doesn’t matter when you start, which is nice.  To me, though, it mattered.  Yesterday, though, God really softened my heart and gave me another homeschooling epiphane, and I actually listened this time….I’m so glad I did.  Jacob’s struggled in history just a bit lately; he did so good last year, when we took our time, and he just enjoyed every bit of it.  We’ve been rushing through, though, for about the last 2 months.  He had a sort of breakdown yesterday, after he couldn’t remember many things from the last chapter that we had covered.
It came to me then that, “Melissa, you have got to slow this train down….this boy isn’t learning the material; he needs more time, more projects to help him learn, more library books to go along with the course, etc.  It’s time to take a step back.”  I looked at Jacob, as he sat there crying in frustration, and I told him, “Jacob, it’s ok; it’s not your fault.  Are we going too fast through the material for you?”  That sparked a small conversation, and the light came back into Jacob’s eyes at that moment; the tears stopped flowing; and a bit of mother-son bonding took place, as he realized that it was going to be ok, that I wanted to know his thoughts.  I can’t explain the joy that brought to my heart and the peace.
I tell you my little story because I think sometimes with our kids, we rush around, trying to get this done and that done, especially in homeschooling.  All the while, they’re standing there, as if they’re in a crowded train station, watching the people and the trains go rushing by.  They’re not really learning, and they’re not really getting that quality time that they so badly need.  In this case, it’s definitely quality and not quantity that matters.  It’s taking time, as a parent, to realize that much learning may not take place, unless we let go of our own desires and give those desires over to God, letting Him take control of the situation, letting Him control how much we get done that day.  Even if our children learn one more tidbit of history or math or science than before….if they learned something of value in that time spent, it was well worth it.
So, my desire today is to encourage you to not worry so much about the little things….concern yourself more with the bigger picture.  Is learning taking place?  Is bonding with your child taking place?  Does your child still have that spark and fuel to keep learning?  If not, it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate….

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

1 comment » | Homeschooling, Inspirational Heart Prints, Real Heart Prints

Motivate Me Monday- A Dose of Inspiration for Moms

February 15th, 2010 — 1:01am
I posted this over on MamaBuzz, and I just felt it was appropriate for this too….hope you enjoy.:)
Today, I just wanted to fill up your cup with verses to help sustain you through this journey we call motherhood….I hope you feel encouraged and inspired to keep trudging on and staying true to the work and the privilege God has set before you as a mother. Don’t forget to laugh with your children this week, and maybe even dance.:) (All verses are NKJV.)
He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!- Psalm 113:9.
But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children- 1 Thessalonians 2:7.
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates- Proverbs 31:10-31.
“For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there- 1 Samuel 1:27-28.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward- Psalm 127:3.
A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world- John 16:21.
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds- Proverbs 27:23.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering- Colossians 3:12.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God- 1 Corinthians 10:31.
For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

2 comments » | Inspirational Heart Prints, Real Heart Prints

Motivate Me Monday- When It’s Hard to Love

February 8th, 2010 — 7:00am

A friend and I had talked about this over the phone a few weeks ago, about loving people and how hard it can be sometimes, so in honor of that friend and some recent experiences I’ve had, I hope this makes you giggle.:)

This is for all the people in Walmart or Price Cutter who jump out into the middle of the aisle as I’m walking down through, trying desperately to get my shopping done with a toddler who’s shouting, “Home!  Home!” and a 7 year old who can’t leave the toddler alone.  This is for all the people in Walmart who find it fun to stand right in front of me or right in the middle of the aisle, never moving, never saying, “Excuse me,” as they walk slowly in front of me, while I’m trying to decide which type of crackers are healthier.  This is for all the people in Walmart who decided to meet up with friends and have a party while some of us were trying to get our shopping done, all the while having to maneuver around you all while you visited together, smack dab in the middle of what seemed like several aisles; were you following me?  This is for all the people who think because they are on a motorized cart, they have the complete right of way no matter what (no, this is not a slam, just an annoyance to me for the simple fact that they seem to sometimes be very pushy).

I’m trying very hard to love you all….I am; I know that loving my neighbors is the greatest commandment, so I am desperately trying to love you, even though sometimes you make it so hard.

This is for all those pushy, road-raging drivers out there on the road these days.  This is for the semi-truck last night, who even though I was going over the speed limit, thought it would be fun to come up behind me (in the sleety weather, I might add) and flash his brights at me, indicating that I needed to go faster or move over.  (Sorry about shining my brights at you over and over as you went around me; I was having a hard time loving you at the moment; I wasn’t feeling very Christian-like at that moment in time.)  This is for all the people who talk on their cell phones instead of actually paying attention to what is going on in the road.  This is for the person, who literally, the other day held down his horn for probably 5 minutes as he followed another car (had to be road rage).  This is for all of the people who think that coming onto the highway via an entry ramp means they should enter at 20mph, slowly wedging in to 70mph traffic.  This is for you, Mister (you know who you are), who looked right at me as you slid right into the parking spot I was taking at the grocery store, just slid in right in front of me….

I’m trying very hard to love you too….I am; Jesus wanted me to love my neighbors, and you are my neighbors.

Loving others can be so hard, can’t it?  I think that sometimes we think love has to be a feeling, but actually, love is a choice.  We can choose to curse our fellow shoppers and drivers (which is what we feel like doing), or we can choose to love them (which is the farthest thing from our minds probably).  The choice is ours….and I know it’s tough.  I think I’ve failed at this more often than not, but I think one thing that can help us to make the right choice is to have a mind set towards eternity.  Is it really going to matter that he jumped in front of me in 10 years?  Is it really going to matter that someone at the store was rude to us?  Yeah, it bothers us, but where is that person headed for eternity?  And what matters most, in light of eternity?  Should I be getting angry over this small stuff, or should I let it go and focus on the big picture?  Oh, and even more, what effect do my reactions have on my children?  Ouch!  Just some thoughts to ponder….:)

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace

2 comments » | Inspirational Heart Prints, Keepin' It Real, Real Heart Prints

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