Can a mom rejoice?Just take a look around. It’s more than a little hard to rejoice today. Sadness and suffering splayed across the media, joblessness and despair abound.
And our children – we worry for them. We all host our own share of motherly angst.
Are we doing this right?
Are we scarring them for life?
Will they make it through elementary school?
Will he remember I let him cry in his crib alone last night?
Will she find good friends?
Will his interest in sports crowd out academics?
Will he be such a nerd he won’t have any friends?
You name it – mothers worry about it.
So much so that worry crowds out joy.
I decided a while ago, I’m not going there.
There's so much I can’t change or control that time spent worrying about it does absolutely NO good.
Besides, there’s One who loves my children even more than I do, and He has it all in his hands.
That’s not to say I don’t wonder and question my mothering decisions. And yes, it’s good to talk things over with friends and mom-mentors and get input from those who have been there.
The key is in balance.
A quote by G.K. Chesterton set me to thinking about this subject:
A person is fully human, Chesterton says, “when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial. Melancholy should be an innocent interlude, a tender and fugitive frame of mind; praise should be the permanent pulsation of the soul. Pessimism is at best an emotional half-holiday; joy is the uproarious labor by which all things live.”
So, ask yourself:
Is joy fundamental in your life?
And is grief only superficial?
Make melancholy and angst only interludes – fugitive frames of mind.
Make praise your soul’s permanent pulsation.
I don’t want to live in an “emotional half-holiday,” but in joy.
I know it may not be easy; as Chesterton writes, it will be a labor – but an uproarious labor that signifies life.
Joy – that’s the life for me!
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7 comments:
There is a fine line between rejoicing and worrying whe you are raising a family. Important to stay Positive.
Rita
Carrie @ ComfortedbyGod.blogspot.com
Laura,
Thanks for stopping by my blog!!!
Your post hits the nail on the head... at one point I was worrying constantly about my children. I finally, out of desperation that I couldn't control everything, cried out to God to protect my kids. My biggest fear is kidnapping (and all the horrible things that go with it). I have learned to avoid watching movies or news stories about that because it starts me on a path of worrying. And now, when worry enters my thoughts, I immediately go to the Lord in prayer.
You've written a beautiful post about a common trait of mommies, and you've offered real-life remedies.
Laura, I love, "Make praise your soul'd permanent pulsation." Great words!
mmmmm thats a yummy post! Thanks so much for stoppin' by and for your encouraging words.
Balance is the key, and it's good you've learned that early in the game. I always say to "let go and Let God"...there is so much we have no control over that it's futile to worry over it.
Some time ago I heard a study that shows that praise and fear can not exist in the brain at the same time. I try to remember this at those times when fear begins creeping in. Not always so easy to do.
I have also memorized Phil. 4:4-9 to begin quoting in those moments as well.
Thanks for this encouragement and reminder that I can rejoice! Just what I needed to hear today!
WONDERFUL post. I am guilty of worrying far to much and YES it does rob me of my JOY!!!!!
I NEED to change this! Thank You for reminding me of this.
I really admire you.
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