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Soul-Feeding Sundays: Reflections of Motherhood

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What I love most about blogging is being able to share and connect through this screen with all of you. My blogging journey has enriched my life in so many ways, allowing me to learn and grow through the guidance and knowledge I’ve garnered through the astounding abundance of kindness and talent in the blogging community. 
Something weighing on my heart lately has been to use this blog as a place where we can all interact even more intimately, sharing our experiences and thoughts together on a consistent basis. And thus, the idea for Soul-Feeding Sundays was born.
Each Sunday, I am going to share with all of you something that truly nourishes my soul: an anecdote about something that happened during my week, a quote or a bible verse, a recipe, or even a video, as I’ll be sharing today. I’ll share why it is meaningful to me, and then I will open the floor for all of you to share your own thoughts and insights. We can learn and be blessed by one another’s experiences!
The first time I saw the video I’m sharing with you today was during one of the panel discussions at Blissdom 2011, and it resonated with me in a way that few things have.
Most of y’all probably know that I just delivered a baby boy – our fourth child – exactly three weeks ago yesterday. I shared a few weeks ago in this post about the emotions I’ve experienced knowing that George’s arrival signified the completion of our family, and I have since committed myself to fully, wholly experiencing the preciousness of this time with him, since each and every time he passes through a stage will signify the last I will have to enjoy those infant experiences. 
 How different I am today as a mother, wife, daughter, and friend than I was when my firstborn was placed in my arms! The experiences of motherhood – the joy and triumphs, the trials and fears – have all irrevocably changed my manner of living and my view of the world.
Which brings me back to this video, one based on the following question: 
If we could all go back and tell our pre-child selves one thing, what would it be? 
As I’ve gazed down at my sweet baby boy’s face during all of those wee-hour feedings, I have found myself pondering that very question. My response?
Slow down.
Forget the dishes. Forget the laundry. Take note of the way they smack their lips as they dream, and memorize the precious sound of their sweet, sleepy sighs. Become enraptured by those fleeting, precious first glimpses of their little smiles as they slumber.

Slow down.

Don’t try to rush them from one milestone to the next. Try not to wish your way through any phase, no matter how sleep-deprived you may be in those bleary-eyed first days, or how weary you become of dealing with a defiant toddler in the throes of his terrible two’s.

Slow down.

Play that rousing game of Uno. Read that favorite story for the umpteenth time. Run through the sprinklers, and play in the snow.

Years from now, I won’t regret the days my kitchen floors went unswept or the days I fell behind on laundry. Those things will always be there. Life when children are young is a balancing act of time management, and I pray the Lord will always give me the wisdom to let the scales of my priorities tip in their precious favor.

So now it’s your turn. The video I’ve referenced is below. I hope you’ll watch it, ponder it, and then weigh in:
What would you tell yourself?



I can’t wait to hear from all of you!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Jenn says

    A mother’s instinct is amazing and SO… very powerful. Trust it… listen to it… believe in it and it will not let you down. One very important message I would have told my pre-child self. Listen to your ♥… always.

  4. Arntzie says

    Your post today really touched my heart. For you see, I am struggling deeply with the ‘completion’ of our family. It’s amazing really as I didn’t plan to have children. But due to a drastic change in my life, I came home one day and told my hubby I was ready! I cried the entire time I was telling him this. I was SCARED OUT OF MY WITS! Three children later, I wouldn’t change a thing. I love my children more than anything in the world! What would I tell my pre-child self…. What are you waiting for!

  6. Sharlyn says

    Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
    Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
    Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
    Sew on a button and butter the bread.
    Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
    She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
    Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,Lullaby, rockabye, lullaby loo.
    Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
    Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peek-a-boo
    The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
    And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
    But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
    Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
    Lullaby, rockaby lullaby loo.
    The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
    But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
    So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
    – Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

    Congrats on little George!

  8. Anna says

    oh, how I love this post and this video! I think I would tell myself to pray more. read my Bible more. play more. be more intentional.

    new to your blog. 😉 love it!

  10. Big D and Me says

    I shared this video on my blog too – I love it and think it has such a good message – take moments just to look at your little one, it will be hard but it will be the most amazing journey

  11. Jeni says

    The days are long, but the years are short. Treasure the moments.

    And – your heart will open and soften in ways that you never expected.

  12. Amy at Ameroonie Designs says

    My advice? Never say never. Be open to whatever this journey has in store for you- it will change you in ways you could never anticipate and bless you in ways you could never imagine. It is worth every. single. tear.
    xoxo,
    Amy

  14. Nana says

    Love the poem. My daughter is having twins in March. I’m thinking about how to incorporate the poem into the nursery. Thanks for sharing today.