It Takes A Village

I'm still behind on blogging, but I'm itching to write something with substance, something more than a highlight of family events.  It's been a while since I've been in a place where I have felt like I could share my heart, and that's ok because not everything is meant for the internet...can I get an "Amen?"

As my children are getting older, I am moving from the "surviving" stage of motherhood  and into the "thriving" part, if that's such a thing.  Can I just stop right here and encourage you Mommas with little bitty ones.  I started this blog back in those days, and I am so glad because it has served as a reminder of how difficult that season of life can truly be. I used to be sentimental about the kids growing up, but I'm sorta over that now.  I promise you that one day you will sleep again, and one day you will shower again, and if you're really lucky, you might even get to do that in private.

I want to share that with you because I have been incredibly blessed to be on the receiving end of such encouragement. The Lord has surrounded me with a group of Godly women who encourage me in this season of motherhood - women who have older children and have walked this road.  These ladies will pickup my kids from school or offer to babysit so that Eric and I can have a date night. They listen to me rant about being busy without scaring me with details of how much crazier life's going to get. They show up at ballgames and remember birthdays.  They love me and my people, and don't judge the insanity that sometimes pops out of my mouth. They offer words of support and give me knowing glances of encouragement from across the sanctuary when I'm wrestling noisy kids. They are serving Christ by being the epitome of Titus 2.

Their example inspires me want to be a cheerleader for the Mommas out there who need some encouragement.  This gig is hard.  We need to be each other's biggest cheerleaders instead of each other's biggest critics. We need to pray together, laugh together, and cry together.  We need to stop pretending to be Polly Perfect and instead let our imperfections be met with grace and love.  We need to be the community of women God intended us to be.

I started this post on a completely different topic and have ended here, so I guess that's what's really on my heart.  Tonight I am deeply grateful for the mentorship and friendship of the ladies in my life.  They say that it takes a village to raise child, but I think it takes a village to support a Momma.  Thank you to ladies in my village.  You are blessing my life more than you will ever know.