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There are times in life when circumstances seem to take over and overwhelm. Responsibilities and situations come up that force us to adjust our plans and expectations of what the typical ‘normal’ looks like.
Routine is something I thrive on, and in the past few weeks and months, God has been pushing me out of my comfort zone and stretching me (ever-so-gently). My days have been overflowing and the reality of the things that need to be accomplished and what is stacked on the plate can be mildly overwhelming at times – both in the homeschool realm and in day-to-day life.
This quote from Seasons of a Mother’s Heart has been such an encouragement to me over the last bit:
In the unexpected moments and new responsibilities that arise – choosing to be joyful is so important. Things may not all be what was envisioned and expected, but in that tension – well, that’s a place that I’m learning to rest and rely more and more, so I can live in true joy.
If there is something that you would like prayer for – can I ask you to email me or leave a comment. I’d love to pray for you.
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Thank you Jolanthe for posting this TODAY! I have been in a season of WAITING on someone else to make a BIG decision that impacts my life dramatically- and it has been hard to be patient. I needed the reminder that the Holy Spirit WILL give me the patience (fruit of the Spirit, Amber- Hello?) I need to wait- and then the ability to accept whatever else may come as a result of this decision.
You, my friend, are an encourager today!
Praying for patience for you! That’s one area that I am needing help in as well. :) This has been a stretching season for me (all good), but learning and remembering to wait and depend on HIM for strength and patience can be oh-so-difficult sometimes! :)
Oh, this is me. Comforting to know there are others with the same feelings.
Definitely. :) And you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers OFTEN, Susana.
Here is my struggle. I want to walk in joy, which is not based on circumstances, but I also don’t want to put on a happy face when life just hurts. I am trying to walk in joy and vulnerability at the same time. Is it possible? Yes, I am learning to give praise in the struggles of motherhood, but at the same time, I don’t want to gloss over how much I struggle.
Walking it with you and I completely understand what you are saying, Angie! Praying for you!
Wow! What timing! Your post was such a blessing for me to read today! My 19 month old was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes a couple of weeks ago. I still feel like my mind is still whirling with shock. We spent several days in the hospital. And now we are home trying to adjust to a new normal routine. This is all just on the heals of my father being in a car accident that broke his neck at the beginning of the month. By God’s grace, my 86 year old dad is not paralyzed, and is home recovering. Needless to say, homeschooling has taken a back seat to all of this – one of the great benefits to homeschooling. :) I am struggling right now with just getting through the basics of the day with our new responsibilities in caring for our littlest one. Thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement! It brought tears to my eyes as I read this.
Oh girl – praying for you all as you find your new ‘normal’ and adjust to all the changes that are going on. I know that there are always things happening in our lives that we need to adapt to – but that knowing doesn’t always make it easier. :) Praying, praying, praying….
Thank you for this. Big chunks of this homeschooling year have been pretty tough. I only have 1 child (not our plan), who is 8. He is very strong-willed and fights and complains when he can’t do something his way. He doesn’t yet know the Lord. We, my husband and I, are trying to be as loving, gracious, and consistent as possible with regards to discipline and teaching him how to interact with others, how to show gratefulness, etc. And, we frequently talk about how none of us are good enough, but that Jesus died because we aren’t good enough. We are praying for the Holy Spirit to show him his heart. But, the constant daily struggle is wearing me down. So, thank you for this post.
Praying for you, Jaime. :)
Your words of encouragement are such a blessing to me! I’m a mama of three little ones who is blessed to be able to homeschool in the midst of very challenging circumstances. I have Lyme disease which I’ve been sick with for 9 years total but have only been diagnosed last year. I always struggled with chronic pain but in the last two years it has been debilitating which has made it difficult for me to care for my children full-time and has left me unable to sit without intense nerve pain. The Sally Clarkson quote you shared about living with tension spoke to my heart so much because that’s how it feels to have so many ideals of what kind of wife and mother I would like to be but cannot because of my physical limitations. It is a constant and daily battle for me to have to contentment and joy in the midst of not only physical pain & brain fog but also emotional pain as we wait to see if my treatments will be successful to bring healing and also wait to see the outcome for my children and husband’s health since this illness may have been passed on to them as well. Thank you for the offer of prayer! God has been so good to family and encouragement like to shared is a breath of fresh air in this difficult journey.
Amber – been praying for you!
Thank you so much Jolanthe. It blessed me to get your reply! We are so appreciative of the prayers! :-)