Growing up I had ideas and dreams of what kind of mom I would be, how my husband and I would handle parenting, things my children would do, as as the things they wouldn’t.
Yet, here ten, almost eleven years laster, those ideas and dreams for the most part have either been forgotten or let go. Some of them were unrealistic, others didn’t fit the family God has given me, while a few still burn in my heart and remain a part of my prayers.
Parenting isn’t full of planning, for the most part you have to take it on day by day and sometimes you pray, just to make it through a moment. For me, this is probably one of the most difficult things to accept in parenting, because I am an over the top planner. I like to have lists and know what to expect, parenting does not allow for that.
A full day of parenting often includes sporadic fights between siblings, unexpected temper tantrums and unplanned trips to the Dr. None of which can be placed on a to do list nor can they be planned for.
At the end of the day, exhaustion sets in and I look back over on the things I had planned to do vs. the things I was able to accomplish. Often very little that I needed or wanted to do is done because God planned for me to work on my parenting skills.
As I begin to relax for the evening after the goodnights have been said, I think back through my day and all I’ve done as mom…taking time to be thankful for my little blessings.
Parenting may not be what I had expected, dreamed of or planned for, but it is exactly what I was designed for. God gave me the children that both needed me and I needed them.
I’m thrilled to be teaming up with some of my favorite girls online as a new co-host to a Monday link up here at Beautiful Ashes.
More specifically, how are we as blogging mommies, wives, and women, being salt and light towards others online?
Here is your chance to generously sprinkle some salt and shine a light: a link up where you share a post that you enjoyed recently from someone else’s blog or website.
Be the Salt & the Light to the world this week and share:
- Faith in Jesus – What inspired your faith walk with Jesus
- Marriage – What touched your heart for your spouse
- Singleness – What has inspired you to reach out to God
- Mothering – What encouraged you to be the best mom you can be this week
- Health – A new recipe that you hope to bless your family with, or health tip that will benefit your family
- Service – A story of service that touched you
- Finances – A tip that will serve your family well
- Homemaking – Inspiration to make your home a haven for your husband, kids, and guests
- Time – Share a story that opened your eyes to the use of time in our life
- Beauty – A reminder of what beauty really is in a world that tries so hard to
And of course, if you have written an encouraging post you would like to add to the link up, go ahead link up a second, personal post.
Weekly Feature:
Bridget, Mandy, Marissa and I are picking our own favorites each week to feature, so make sure to check out both of our sites to see if you were featured. My favorite this week is “The Mountain Top Experience” by Heather from My Overflowing Cup.
Your Chance to be Salt & Light
More specifically, how are we as blogging mommies, wives, women, being salt & light towards others online?
Here is your chance to generously sprinkle some salt and shine a light: a link up where you share a post that you enjoyed recently from someone else’s blog or website.
Make sure to follow Marissa, Bridget, Misty and Mandy so you don’t miss future opportunities to be Salt & Light to others! Oh and check out Salt & Light’s pinterest board… your post might just show up there!
The fine print: Please understand that by linking up with the Salt & Light, you are agreeing to allow Rays of Grace & Joy, Beautiful Ashes, Women of Worship or Becoming a Godly Wife to feature you in a future post. That includes a link to your post, and a picture you’ve used on that post. You are also allowing Rays of Grace & Joy, Beautiful Ashes, Women of Worship or Becoming a Godly Wife to share any post you link up with pinterest, facebook, twitter and/or google+. Also, by posting in this hop, you are allowing your email address to be used for a weekly reminder of the hop – your email will not be used for any other purpose, period.
Thank you so much, Misty, for featuring The Mountaintop Experience. I’m so thankful that you were blessed!
You’re so very welcome! <3 Thank you for your honesty <3
Thanks for linking up with us at #TellHisStory. I see you still have my blog listed as “Getting Down With Jesus.” For the last two years, it has been “JenniferDukesLee.com.” GDWJ doesn’t exist anymore.
Thank you, though, for linking!
Oh! Thank you! I updated the link and forgot to change the link up title in the HTML! It’s been fixed! <3