Sometimes it seems like raising children is like raising a dog or a cat. We feed them, shelter them, teach them a few tricks, not to bite others and VOILA! We’re done.
Motherhood is much, much more than we often think it to be.
Whether we like it or not, we are raising little versions of ourselves. Our strengths will likely be some of their strengths, our weaknesses will be some of their weaknesses.
A Story For You…
A friend of mine once had a dream that she was out hiking with her 3 children. A few miles into the hike, in the middle of nowhere, they were suddenly approached by bears. She stepped in front of her children, desperate to protect them.
She yelled at the bears. She screamed at them, but the bears kept coming. And coming.
How had the bears found them? She wondered. They had hiked quietly, she didn’t let her kids bring any food, and she’d even sprayed them with scent neutralizer. Yet there they were, surrounded by bears.
Then she looked in her hands and saw it. She was holding raw meat. The bears smelled it from miles away. She’d done everything she could to protect her children, but she’d neglected to prepare herself for the journey, too.
What Are We Holding?
Moms. We cannot simply teach and train our children. We must continue to change and refine ourselves. We must own up to our issues. Name them. And do everything we can to defeat them. We cannot coast through life. We cannot make excuses for our failings. The lives of our children and their children and their children depend on our daily choices now.
Feel overwhelmed? Feel like you can’t handle the pressure? Good. Me too. And that’s just the point we need to arrive at to start this journey.
It’s time for a revolution. Are you ready…?
Inspired? Share it!
My name is Kat and I'm so glad you stopped by. This blog is full of resources for inspired moms like you.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
I won’t forget this analogy, Kat. Thank you for the image.
Wow, Kat. Powerful imagery. Love it & love the word revolution
I’m ready if you’re leading! What do we do?
I’m ready!
bring it!
Count me in!
I so often say in my child training talks, it’s not how your child acts….it’s how you handle it. Very good post. I love the dream….it puts it all into perspective. Lisa~
I love this!
A very fitting post for me to read today. Thanks, Kat!
Yes. Yes! and YES!
Thank you so much, again, for Maximizing Your Mornings! I don’t always get things done the way you suggest, but if nothing else, I write out my “Morning Mantra” (my mission statement, which has evolved a bit since I first started MYM) and it’s such a great way to remind myself daily of what’s important to me.
God has been dealing with me about this very thing! I have so much I need to change!!!
Great story to help make your point! WOW! This is so true though, as moms we often forget the critical piece to helping our kids become who we would like to see them become – we need to focus on ourselves!
Great story! I instantly thought of this old song by Kirk Franklin when I read your title this morning…here’s a link to the music video on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr41skFqzb8
This could be your ‘theme song’ for this movement?? haha
Bring it! (as the kids these days say)
Amy
http://worshipwhileiwait.blogspot.com
Kat, I love this. It really echoes what I have been sensing God speaking to me in the last several years as I’ve grown in my role as a mother. It is such a confirmation to hear that God is speaking the same thing to other people. Your posts bring such encouragement to me!
I am SO in need of a revolution! My family and I recently change lots of “outside” things…specifically job, location (and everything that goes with that). Now, I feel it’s time to change a bunch of “inside” things.
Many blessings as you embark on your journey.
Im so ready!!! What’s next!
I’m ready and so inspired. I love the word revolution – I’ve been feeling God’s prompting toward this very thing recently.
Kat: what a brilliant {and horrifying} image! And altho’ I have Kirk Franklin stuck in my head–yes, I DO want a revolution! I want to be wilder!!
a
WOW! Powerfully true…. we have an awesome responsibility to train our children up in the way they should go. Thanks Kat, for inspiring me!
How is it that you say exactly the thing I really need to hear? Ohhh, right — God is providing for each of my needs. Thanks so much for letting God use you!
Wow, Kat! Love the imagery (scary!) and totally agree with you about taking care of ourselves.. Can’t wait to see what you unveil:-)
OH. MY. WORD. What a powerful image! I’m ready!!!
As a Grandparent…AKA Grampy… I very Much Appreciate the Wisdom you are Sharing*** God bless You**
I have been thinking about this a lot lately and am totally overwhelmed…I know that I want to change, I know what I need to change, but I can’t figure out how… I am so on board!
What a powerful dream! I love it when God works like that! Thanks for sharing.
YES!!!!!!!!!!! I was just writing about this earlier this week . . . confessing to a problem area of mine (yelling – UGH) and reflecting on how I must be disciplined before I can effectively provide discipline for my children.
Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!
I am suiting up with the armor of God. I am ready for a Revolution!
Excellent dream analogy!!!! I am working hard at getting rid of the raw meat in my hands…its much smaller than it used to be!
God’s transforming power is so amazing when we allow Him to take it from us and change our lives for the better!
YES I am!
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