I’m so excited when I reconnect with friendships, even when they are virtual friends that I’ve never met, online. Well – tonight I get to reconnect with a friend, and her name is Joanne Calderwood. She spoke at my online events in the past – and even, way, long ago was a guest speaker for Mommy Jammies Night. She is always such a wonderful encouragement, he laugh and smile can light up a room.
But allot has happened in her life since then. Allot.
Kids have grown up. Graduated from college. Some are still home. She has a job. She tries to balance life.
In both our lives there has been many changes, but then shouldn’t there be? The thing is we can’t control change and yet how we try to. How we try to understand the why and the how, even when it defies understanding.
You Are the Mom
Sometimes I forget. I get caught up in the everyday. I want to sit and just read a fun book, or maybe try a new recipe – or wait – write a blog post! But I am a mom and some things come first. For example, today I was working on setting up a YouTube channel for my daughter. I was uploading videos I shot during her games. Why? For a website for college scouts and maybe (please, Jesus) possible scholarship offers. And then it hit me. My second to the youngest child will be going to college in a year. ONE year. I was depressed. It isn’t like I’ve never gone through this before. Of course I have. But every time seems like the first time and this is child number four.
What happens when they all leave – am I still a mom? Yes, but it will be so different.
When they are little we are their everything. We are their source of nourishment, their protector (how many times did you save your child from dire consequences each day?), for their health, their well being and even the clothes on their back. We fixed the hurts. We helped them, we taught them to talk, to walk, crawl, read. But when they are older it all changes.
I was so ready for the Mommy Jammies Night with Joanne Calderwood, especially her topic. She spoke on the topic, “Let it Go!” I was not disappointed!
I had to let it go – let go of all my expectations, my wants, my needs how I wanted time to stand still. Some of you want time to speed up. You want things to change, to be different. You want something not within your grasp. But it will go fast, this time that we have no control over, faster than you know.
Joanne shared these verses with us in her talk: Psalms 46:10 ; and Isiah 50:10-11
She shared that God wants us to know that we have to go to HIM – she also asked us – what is stopping us from spending time with JESUS? Good questions aren’t they?
She wants us to journal – to let it go – to journal about what steals our joy. JUST for today – don’t pick the burdens back up… want to hear more? Listen to the episode right here: LET It Go Podcast
How about you? What changes sadden you? When do you rejoice? How do you feel realizing, “Yes! You ARE the Mom!” 🙂
Thank you for the awesome Jammie party 🙂 My dd was diagnosed with a medical condition that eventually started our homeschool journey earlier than I would have liked. I was unprepared. It is our very first year and we are trying to see our way through it. I will feel much better when I get everything together and start our next year fresh.
I’m glad you enjoyed the party and hopefully the audio will be refreshing for you!
Sorry to hear the problem with your daughter, Sonya but praying this will be a wonderful time of making memories with her! Thanks for coming to the party!
I rejoice when I see my children choosing to pray for something on their own 🙂
Love that Cynthia!
I rejoice when I see my children following God on their own!
That is beautiful Jennifer! The fruit!
I hate moving!! It’s always a difficult transition.
This was very encouraging. Thank you so much for taking the time to share what was on your heart.
Thanks so much for taking the time to post.
I rejoice when my kids show Christian love and compassion. They are only nine and I love to see the Lord beginning to work in their little hearts.
Must be your children have a great example in their lives – like their parents? 🙂
I think about this often. I still have a long way to go on my journey as my oldest is 4. But we have been going through some changes recently as we moved back home from overseas and have been staying with family for the past couple months as we get ourselves established. I rejoice when my children make important milestones and they make connections about the world. I find myself sad when I feel inadequate teaching them about God when at their age, he seems so intangible. I want to be the best teacher I can be, but am often unsure how.
Welcome back to the USA Jessica – and yes, treasure these moments. I get to live the little years over again with my grandchildren. Don’t worry about being the best teacher – allow God to help you with your plans. Just keep praying and he will send you to the right places – like HERE – for encouragement and support!
What bothers me, is looking back on all of the time I was messing up with my aspie. I didn’t know how to handle what should have been normal day to day training but it wasn’t. I didn’t know how to help him. I was tired and frustrated. He didn’t qualify for any services except speech for a year. It was awful. I regret so much. I wish I knew then what I know now.