Friday, May 6, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!



This is for all you lovely ladies (and Odie, my only male reader) who posted comments the other day (and some today) on the previous post "Struggles Within":





I found all your comments to be encouraging, gentle reminders of things I already know. I had to take a day and think about all of them and somehow put into words how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking.




These beautiful comments made me wish we were all having tea and getting to know each other better, encouraging each other on our journeys. Walking together, working out together, praying together, taking care of our kids and our souls.




Then, (actually, just now as I type this) I realized we do that for each other already. We are not physically together, but, God has brought us together through our faith and life journals (blogs--isn't that a better name? "Life Journals"?)




We all have that desire, almost need to help each other and lift each other up.




I know that I bring you all with me in my prayers. I pray for those of you struggling this mother's day because you may have lost your mother or you can't be with her, or maybe you have family issues that keep you away. I pray for those of you who wish so very deeply that you were a mother yourself. I pray for those of you who have lost a child and have to make it through another holiday. I remember you all when I am exercising and am hoping you get the same opportunity that day to exercise too.




Some of you mothers are in a different season of your motherhood than I, and I have peace knowing and seeing in you, those actual seasons of our motherhood. It reminds me to slow down and enjoy this season I am in. I appreciate you and love hearing your advice.




Many of you are in the very same season as I, and we all get each other. It's like through our "Life Journals" we look at each other and we have that moment of our eyes making contact to reassure us that we are not alone, and we are enlightened knowing we can make it through this season of our motherhood and into the next.





I know my inner struggles have more to do with my pride and what I expect of myself. I am an all or nothing type person. Give it your all or don't give anything at all. That's really something (I just realized) that I live by.





I struggle with a less than 45-60 minute workout, I don't feel it's enough. 20 minutes just doesn't cut it for me. Even when I say I'm only going to walk for 30 minutes, I always end up squeezing in 45 minutes. Pride, I tell you.





My older kids do watch the baby, but I struggle with that guilt of "If I'd have gotten up earlier, they wouldn't have to." I feel guilty and selfish with my time when I do that. (I'm not saying I don't do it, just how I feel when I do) I know it's also good for them to watch her. Pride, I tell you.








I have prayed while walking (alot) but this is how it goes:


Walk-walk-walk-walk

Walk-walk-walk-walk

(got the beat?)

Hail-Mary-fullof-Grace

TheLord-iswith-Thee-Blessed



My heart is hardly there, it becomes steps and words and no thought at all.








See? All or nothing. I am a work in progress. I am aiming for all, and have to learn to be OK with some.



Thanks for your warm thoughts, your familiar glances my way, your encouragement and prayers, no matter what season of life you are in. You all are the meaning of true beauty to me.


Happy Mother's day to all of you, may it be blessed with grace and beauty and peace!

12 comments:

  1. You have no idea how much this post and the struggles resonate with me. I am so thankful to have you as a friend. One day we will talk...and one day we will meet. Happy Mother's Day, dear friend!

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  2. Jamie Jo, I know what you mean about our blog family and having tea. Sure we are not physically there but we are in spirit wanting to be there for each other and offer help in whatever way we can, rejoice when you rejoice, cry when you cry and praise God for the opportunity to just know Jamie Jo and her sweet family. I have no doubt that your 5 beautiful children will make your Mothers Day a day to remember. I know I am in a minority out here in blog world being a male but that is OK. I am having a ball and Odie is better because of it. Thanks

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  3. Happy Mother's Day, Jamie. I love this post and I love you. I'm logging off of the computer now to do my exercise and I will be offering it up for you.

    p.s. I *really* wish we lived closer. Or at least in the same state, lol.

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  4. Catching up on your blog.

    Hugs.

    Real stuff - thought provoking

    God bless your Mother's Day. You are so blessed.

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  5. Amen.

    Happy Mother's Day to you!

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  6. Happy Mother's Day, James! Right back at you and we really have NO excuse for not getting together more often so let's make it happen this summer.

    K?

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  7. Happy Mother's Day, Jamie!

    Your thoughts are beautiful and so honest. What you are experiencing I think so many of us also have (or are) experiencing in our lives.

    Sometimes when we feel restless deep inside, it's the Holy Spirit trying to help us see something about ourselves.

    Have a wonderful Mother's Day. I love that you remember all mothers of different circumstance out there.

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  8. Happy Mum's Day to you, too, darling girl. You are my sunshine!

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  9. Happy Mother's Day! I hope you don't mind that I linked back to your "Struggles Within"n my last post. God Bless you:-)

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  10. Happy mothers day to you too Jamie. I think this would have to be my favourite post about mothers day.

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  11. Happy Mother's Day to one of the best mums I know.

    I love blogging with you (because I know I will get a least one comment from YOU!) even if it is a hello.

    Have a great Monday!

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Thank you so much for stopping and commenting!