These days Lisa-Jo
puts up the Five Minute Friday word BEFORE midnight
Thursday night. This makes me SO. VERY. HAPPY. I haven’t gotten to participate regularly lately, but this week I stayed up to get some writing done, so I am happy to join in. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then check this out.
Today’s word: TRUE
GO…
I keep my true self hidden away. Just like the Hideaway Café in the Florida Keys. If you don’t know it is there, if you don’t know what to look for, then you will never find it. If you miss it, then you have missed a real gem of a restaurant.
TRUE…Lisa-Jo talks about the true version of Motherhood and how my version doesn’t look like hers or yours or anyone else’s and she is right.
My version of motherhood allowed me to have one living child. Now 25, he still lives at home. He is on the right path and finishing college.
But it has been a long and at times very difficult journey.
You think your kids are going to grow up, finish high school, go to college and get a job.
AND move out.
But sometimes things don’t work like we plan.
My plan was different than God’s plan. And my son’s plan wasn’t exactly like it has turned out…but it is good.
So, while you are still in the midst of changing diapers and/or putting kids on the bus.
Or you are in your final stage of middle school or high school…don’t plan too far ahead. Because God has this way of throwing curve balls that you can’t hit when you swing.
You just have to go with the flow and hope that things turn out.
In the end, it will turn out exactly like HE planned. Like HE orchestrated.
I have to learn to accept HIS plan.
When I do, when I know and remember that I am NOT in charge. I am OK. Really I am.
But it has been a long journey.
So, celebrate YOUR version of motherhood. It is how HE designed it just for you and your kids.
And it will be OK…I promise. No matter how dark it seems at times.
STOP
Oh Mary! For those curve-balls that we can hit when we swing… Taking these wise words and tucking them away tonight.
Thanks for the reminder, Mary, that His plan is the best. So many times I struggle against what He is doing, sort of like when I try to reason with my 3 year old and he's struggling against my decision for what's best for him 😉
True, just, honest….think on these things. The truth is there are stages in life, some of them fun, some of them not so fun. But we usually don't get to pick. We do, however, get to decide how we will face life and our own attitudes. Thanks for the good reminder.
Love this Mary. I haven't had too many curve balls thrown at me yet, but I know they are coming. Everything changes except His love, and that's where the focus has to be or else we'll strike out. (get it? Aren't I funny?)
Dear Mary
It does quite a long time for our Pappa to teach us these life lessons. Not because He is a bad teacher, but because we are such slow and stubborn learners.
Blessings XX
Mia
Oh, I had to laugh at this one. My in-laws have had each of their four children move back home AT LEAST once, sometimes with spouses and children. Oh my!
Your words are encouraging to me, also. My version of motherhood is so different and often misunderstood. It can feel very lonely at times, but I have seen God glorified during some of our darkest seasons. The nice thing is, He glorifies himself, all I have to do is trust him.
Oh, friend, you have no idea how these words spoke to my heart this morning. I am raising a beautiful little girl right now…three years old and full of spunk, energy, love. She is enough…always. But there are dreams for more, and I sometimes wonder if my plans will turn out. Thank you for the sweet reminder that they will…even if they look different than my dreams. Sending you a giant hug through computer screens…and SO looking forward to the (in)RL one we will exchange in just a few weeks!!! Blessings to you. 🙂
You certainly said it well: God's plan is different from ours and even though those curve balls can really hurt I have found that's when I grow the most….
Oh Mary i love the truth you spoke here today. I struggled so much when my kids were young with comparing their path with other kids. It has only been in the last 4-5 years that I have accepted the fact that none of our paths looks like another's. My family has face a lot of those "curve balls that you can't hit when you swing." We may not be hitting home runs yet we we at least manage a few doubles and triples along the way.
Such a help to a young mom like me who would love to just have things figured out. Thank you for your wisdom!
Amen, sister. As a mother of two sons, now in their thirties, I thought I knew how things were going to turn out. NOT. Oh, those curve balls…how well said and true. Thankfully with our gracious God, we never strike out. So enjoyed this post.
Our girls have both come back at different times. 🙂
Fondly,
Glenda