The perfect title for Chapter 1 in a book titled, Loving the Little Years, by Rachel Jankovic. I just posted about how I always feel like circus music should be playing everywhere we go, and I lovingly refer to our family as a 3-ring circus. I am not going to do a book review, per se. I am going to share what I found helpful in the book and I would love to hear from y'all. Let's just pretend we're all sitting down having tea or coffee while we're discussing the book. I don't know about you, but I will at least get to finish a sentence without being interrupted since the circus is all sleeping. ;)
I would like to start with Chapters 1 and 2 for today, just to get the discussion going.
"But if my attitude falters, even in the midst of external order, so does everything else" (p.11). Isn't this so true? Who cares if I have a clean house, if I am a complete monster to my children. And although I know that to be true, it is so difficult to keep that perspective all the time. To remember that training their hearts and minds are more important than keeping their rooms clean, is not always that easy.
It's not easy, because like she says in Chapter 2, "we spend our days crashing into each other and actually getting our problems addressed" (p.13). During our first year of marriage, I can remember realizing our selfish I was, and for one of the first times, was confronted with a daily reminder of my problems and how they affected another person. But I learned how to cope and rely on myself to "get better." And then once again, when I had my first child, my selfishness was staring at me in the face and it scared me. It was humbling to see the depths of my sin. Can anyone else relate to how hard the first child is? I think that may be one of the hardest transitions to make in life.
Well, after having my third child (only 3 years later), I just couldn't fake it any longer. The weight of my own sin and how it affected the lives of my children was too much for me. I was broken and realized that I had to get what was in my head, knowing that I was a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), into my heart. So for about the last 6 months, I have been on a spiritual journey that would have otherwise never happened, had I not been so broken. I am thankful, now, for that daily "crashing into each other." Albeit it hard, it has been a beautiful process of refinement and it has driven me closer to my Savior.
My friend, refers to the section about the rock tumbler in Chapter 2, on her blog, grace upon grace. I encourage you to check out her post about it. It's really good and worth your time.
I want to hear from you, even if you haven't read the book yet. Please leave a comment and be a part of the discussion. How has becoming a mother been difficult for you?
I wanted to get the discussion started. I will most likely cover more chapters in the next post, so stay tuned.
~ cheryl ~
I wanna get this book now!
ReplyDeleteYES, going from 0 to 1 child ROCKED MY WORLD mainly because it magnified my sin to me. I went on a deep spiritual journey with God that first year.
And now, doing it for the 3rd time all over again...... well, I am still a sinner. It is still hard. But the sacrifices come a little easier. I have my days, though. I am better at embracing the sweet infant moments, though, because I know they're fleeting.
And the part about cleaning your room is more important than shaping hearts - how many times have I been guilty of that kind of thing!
So yeah, I guess I need to get this book. =)
P.S. Love the pic of the 3 kiddos at the top.
Wow, sometimes I am just really amazed and thankful for the Lord's providence... this is one of those times. Today my "attitude faultered" big time when my "discipline seemed fruitless" and I was at the end of my rope by the end of the day. Even pizza for dinner did not help this sinner. I am encouraged to hear that other moms see their sin in and thru daily interaction with their children. I know sanctification is a lifelong process only completed in glory and I am thankful to see and be sorry for my sin, to rely on and love the Lord all the more, and to hopefully teach my children to do the same. Thanks, Cheryl, for the discussion.
ReplyDeleteI swear I'm downloading the circus music as my ringtone.
ReplyDeleteSo new blog name? Love that sweet pic of the kids!
Love the circus picture but I have always thought of us as a traveling zoo and I am one of the zookeepers. This is particularly how I feel at a certain time. If I happen to be in the kitchen by myself and open a snack, it at that moment my children get super sonic hearing! (Other times I can be ever so gently and sweetly be screaming their names and they never hear) With in seconds they are all standing at my feet with mouths and hands open, like when you walk in the petting zoo and all the baby animals walk up cause they know there is food in your hands.
ReplyDeleteZoo or circus, I suppose it is all the same ... fun, messy, scary, sweet, expensive, sometimes leaves you to wonder why you went to all the trouble to get there but then fall in bed exhausted and declaring it the BEST day EVER!!
I am probably reading this book with a little bit different perspective then some. Although I still have to be reminded that chores, school, and anything else I am demanding is no where near as important as their hearts. There are many days that know their heart and actions are a reflection of mine, hurts and it hurts deep.
I can't remember which chapter it is in, so I may be jumping ahead but I loved the reminder that progress is being made. Daily, progress is being made. If one of them only got 5 'frowny' face on the calendar for using words as a weapon, that is better then the 12 last week. Progress!!! And even better Nikki and Shelbi no longer get 'frowny' faces at all for using words as a weapon. :)
It is all good and He is Great!!
I did not realize how long it would be... oops, it looked so small in the comment box.
ReplyDeleteThanks for starting this ... fun!!