Howdy, Siestas! I feel like I should introduce myself again because it’s been so long since I’ve written. Our summer was b-u-s-y but wonderful. Curtis preached at a Bible study gathering called Metro and at a few churches in our area, I led the Ruth study with some blogging girlfriends, we hosted out of town family members, went to Galveston a couple of times, and did lots of swimming and playing with the kids. Tomorrow Jackson and Annabeth will start pre-k and mother’s day out, so I suppose summer is coming to an end for us. Our normal Wednesday church schedule picks back up tonight and I can’t wait to see all the fellowship supper crowd. We have been missing everyone! Jackson gets to join the kids choir as of tonight. I think he is going to love it.
I have a little story to tell you that will explain my recent absence here on the blog. One day in June I was trying to get some work done and I went into the dining room (away from the kids) so I could concentrate. A few minutes later Jackson came running over to me and said, “Annabeth is on the TV!” What in the world? I ran in the living room to find my 16-month-old walking on the console behind the flatscreen and about to dive off into a pile of toys. Needless to say, I was horrified. I brought my laptop back in the living room and tried to finish whatever I was doing. A few minutes later I looked down and saw Annabeth sitting on our golden retriever’s back. All she needed was a saddle and she had her own little pony. I was horrified again! Beckham is a very patient dog and he loves the kids, but that was not okay. I was bit in the face by our family dog as a child and I know better than to trust any animal completely. This happened three feet away from me and I didn’t see it because of my computer screen.
I knew my days of working at home were coming to an end. I either needed to return to the office or stop working. Not only was it becoming unsafe for my children, but I constantly felt frustrated and discouraged as an employee and as a mother. I’m sure many of you can relate to how I was feeling. It was maddening because the world tells women we can have it all – career, romance, family, friends, leisure, and a peaceful home – but the truth is we are all making sacrifices in one or more of these areas in order to carry the others. I felt like my entire family was revolving around me and my needs, when what my soul really longed for was to have the time and energy to serve them.
After many conversations with Curtis, a long heart-to-heart with my mom, and lots of prayers shot up to God in desperate moments, we decided that I would take a step back from my job at LPM for the next year. I have 12 months left with my son before he begins kindergarten and I want to make the most of that time. Next fall we will reevaluate our situation.
I confess I was really nervous to talk to my mom about this. It can be complicated when family members work together. But in my heart I kept hearing my mom say, “No amount of success in ministry can make up for failure at home.” My mom has kept to that after all these years and I’ve benefitted from it in countless ways. Now it was time for me to decide on my own. Would I choose what was best for my family? I could not have imagined how graciously my mom would respond to my cries for help. She was 100% mom and 0% boss in that moment. She told me that when she’d kept the kids the weekend before, she’d sensed that this was coming.
Once Curtis, Mom and I were on the same page, I felt a flood of relief and joy. For about three hours. Then the seriousness of walking away from my job of 8 years came crashing over me. Satan told me the disgusting lie that I wouldn’t be important anymore. As if I should need to be important anyway! I was pretty emotional – swinging from extreme happiness and relief to sadness – for a few weeks. In fact, during that time I wrote two other versions of this post that I deemed too melodramatic to publish.
It’s been two months since the decision was made and a little less time since I handed over my administrative responsibilities to my co-worker, Kimberly McMahon/KMac. She is an awesome lady and I’m very thankful for the gifts God has given her.
Our family is definitely enjoying the harvest from this change. I feel a lot more peace. And that’s a pretty big deal! My relationship with Jackson has improved dramatically. He needed me to say yes more. I’ve been cooking, which my husband appreciates. I will say, though, that motherhood is hard any way you slice it! Can I get an amen? Did this make my life perfect? Uh, no. Did I magically become Supermom? I wish. But do I like motherhood more? Yes. Definitely.
Mom has invited me to keep writing here whenever I have something to share and I look forward to doing that. I will finally have some alone time now that Annabeth is starting mother’s day out and Jackson will be inPre-K. Praise the Lord!
I know that many of you reading this are desperate for your situation – whatever that may be – to change. Please know that when you cry out to the Lord, He hears you! He knows what you are going through. He is your Shepherd and He cares for you. Pray, pray, pray. First Peter 5:7-8 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV) I am asking God to show you His love, power and care right now.
Siestas, thank you for loving my family and for supporting us. We love you very much.
Sincerely,
Amanda
Amanda,
Thanks so much for writing this. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate you writing about the joys and demands of motherhood and working outside the home. I have been in both places myself, (as a single mother and as a married woman with children) do I work fulltime and leave my child in the hands of a professional caretaker or do I stay at home and be the best influence I can on my child. I chose to stay home, but had to bring my thoughts under control, becase my brain kept saying that I really wasn’t contributing to our household finances. (a BIG FAT LIE from satan, of course) My husband assured me that I was contributing to our family by caring for our child and raising him to be a man of God. How very couragous of you to be there for your family. God will bless you and your family will honor your dedication to them!
How wonderful that you have such support and the opportunity to stay home. I was a single mom, left with two boys 3 and 5, and had to work to support my family. I always felt guilty – when I was at work, I felt I should be home, when I was at home, I felt I should be at work. I never felt I was really good at anything. After some serious counseling, I was told to quit trying to be “superwoman”. At that point, I changed jobs and told my new boss that my family WOULD ALWAYS COME FIRST! I never missed a school function, football game or Boy Scout meeting. It was hard, but I did it and loved it all! My “boys” are now 21 and 23 and very successful students and young men. God blessed me so! Enjoy your time with them – it flies by way too fast!
As I read 1 Peter 5:7-8 tears filled my eyes. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing your heart, because in doing so, you have touched mine.
Congratulations on making those tough decisions. I once had a pastor tell me that God can give you more than one option for your life and then can still bless what you choose 🙂 Hopefully we’ll still get to see some pics of the Jones kids?
Oh sweetie, we’re all so proud of you and happy for you. God’s blessings will come to the Jones’ for your obedience. You play to an audience of One – even if sometimes you have to play with an audience of 2 (plus the dog).
Hi Amanda,
Congratulations on the new season of your life! It’s a choice you will never regret. If the Lord’s plan for you is to return to work when your kids are fully school-age, then He will bless you with an open door to ‘pick up where you left off’, but your children will never get back yesterday….they only move forward and they do it at lightening speed sometimes! So enjoy them, even when things are a little rough.
I’ve been a stay at home mom for 25 years and have three wonderful sons to show for it. My ‘job’ taking care of them didn’t stop until they had finished college….I even became an academic advisor/degree auditor of sorts in their college years! (They never had to make an appointment with me!)
What you will learn from your children will be nothing short of amazing and I’m confident God will put all of that to good use through your ministry work just as He does with every life plan that He spins for all of us!
Enjoy being home with your kids……you’ll be in my prayers! My favorite place to rest in God’s reassurances for a young mother…..
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
Do they ever grow quickly..God Called me to Homeschooling..talk about big decisions; I put it off a year.. then I felt Him say..”Seriously I want you to home school”… so ..then He showed me a clear & content & peace-filled direction…He’s Good at that leading thing ya know!! Anyways I only have three children 10, 8 & 4 and simple feel like I can’t teach them enough about Him..as my mama sangs “It’s a battle field brother not a recreation room” May this time at home give you the time you need to prepare your children to serve the Lord. May you have Peace & contentment in Knowing this is one of the greatest callings in discipleship that He will ever place on your life! Keep Eternal Perspective! Life is a vapor that is From Him & Through Him & To Him!! To Him Be the Glory Forever!
Can you get an amen?! You can have several! I feel like you just communicated alot of what’s in my heart too.
I have a toddler, who’s a few months older than AB and he’ll start Mother’s Morning Out this fall too…I am so excited for both of us! I hope he enjoys it and that I am wise enough not to always fill that alone time with chores! Something happens to your (my) brain when I take in too much “Old MacDonald” and “shake your sillies out” and not enough Heather time. I started volunteering at our church office and that has helped me feel connected to the old me prior to having kids.
I totally relate to the inner conflict, (I’m learning most moms do) of trying to have it all and work from home. I originally thought that was the solution for me, but I felt pulled in different directions and I didn’t want to forfeit that precious time with my son.
I’m not the stay-at-home-mom-type, but after weighing everything out, it’s just my priority right now. However, now that I read that back to myself, and hearing your heart about the similar decisions each mom makes for her own family, who really is that type? (Michelle Duggar, I guess?)
Without sounding condescending, I am so proud of you for the decision you made and for crying out to the Lord with it. This entry was like a big drink of water for this SAHM.
May God richly bless your commitment to your family!!!
I am tearing up reading this, Amanda. We get ONE choice with our precious children. We HAVE to do the best we can. Will we stand before the Lord and say otherwise? You are making the best decision you could possibly do for your family. God bless you all.
Amanda, I won’t say you are making the right decision or the wise one. That sounds to pious and close-minded. But I will say you are making a godly decision – one weighed out using the right standards of measure and with the right priorities. I know God will bless you and your family for choosing to put them first at this time in life. Girl, there will be plenty of time for all the other stuff later.
I’ve stayed home with my children for almost 20 years now and I am reaping the benefits of that decision with two older teens who are very solid, very loving, and very godly. I don’t claim to have done everything right and I give God full, completely full, credit for anything good in my children’s lives, but I know that being available to them has helped bring peace, consistency, and contentedness to our home. It has helped.
Now that my kids are older and I’m able to invest more of my time in my writing and speaking ministry, I sometimes feel like I wasted years when I could have been “advancing” in that field. Those feelings make me doubt my decisions to stay focused on my kids all those years. But I know that is just the enemy trying to rob me and load me down with regret. I’ll have none of that. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Blessings on you and your family, sweet girl. Love on them, serve them, and teach them. There is nothing more important…right now.
I missed you so much here, Amanda. But I KNEW it was not just a blogging break or not because you were in Disneyland–I knew you were hashing something out with the Lord. You did the best thing possible for your children, Amanda. Just as your mother says No amount of success makes up for failure at home. As much as I hate to say this, but it is true in my circumstance as well–we are totally replacable(I know I am spelling this wrong!) in our work places. But our kids have only one mom. And our husbands, only one wife. So you did the right thing my friend for now. A time will come when you can go back. At that time, you will be doubly blessed.
We love you too.
Anna.
good job amanda! we are proud of you and behind you, and love you! you are making the right choice here; thank you for doing that! be encouraged; you’re sowing seeds of life in this decision!
A couple years ago, my mother went to our pastor to apologize that she would be unable to continue in a ministry due to issues in our family. He, being the humble servant of God that he is, said, “God established the family before the church.” That was such a comfort to her.
Now, at almost 60, she is once again feeling the need to serve her family. She, with my Dad’s overflowing blessing, decided to quit her job. Of course our family aspect has changed, but she still feels the need to be there for my Dad, my grandparents, and myself or my brother if we are to need her. I think she is also anticiapting babysitting grandchildren. Anyway, she wants to be at our disposal. That is so like her. She is selfless and giving and loving. I am so thankful for all the time that she has set aside for me, as I am sure your babies will one day be.
Our service to the Lord is most important, but our calling as wife & mother is issued by Him. I hope and pray that you will not listen to the lies of the devil, but will know that to your family you couldn’t be more important. God bless you in this new season!
Erin,
Thank you so much for sharing this story. It is so true that our family can need us at all different seasons of our lives.
Oh, Amanda… I have been wondering where you disappeared to this summer. I surmised that it might have something to do with the ages of your children and all that it entails. I made the decision to stop working and stay home with my kiddos 7 years ago and it was a TOUGH decision. I have a 6 year old and an almost 4 year old and without even being a working mom, it is easy to let too many things get in the way! I am currently looking forward to a year of no real commitments beyond my husband, kids and home. No leading Bible Study or Youth Group. It’s a little bit disconcerting, because I am very social, but am sensing it is God’s plan right now for me to foster my relationship with Him and everyone here at home… Been needing a little bit of recharging and so as much as it is a change, I think it will be very refreshing! I admire your decision to be home and not working, especially since it was a ministry and your mom you were working for, and probably seemed almost like second nature to be doing that. I always tell myself that just like in nature, life has seasons too, and my work season is over for now, and my home season is here. The work season will probably be back before I’m ready!
Take care! God bless you little Jones Family!
Well put!
I finally gave myself a “pass” from leading a small group or serving on Sundays for having a young child and being a 1st time mom. I felt guilty about it at first and the enemy tried to tell me I was a whimp for not being able to juggle it all. I thought, “what’s so hard? I can do it, I’ve got time.” Wrong! I’ve since learned that just because I have time doesn’t mean I have to fill it. It’s called creating margin.
To be transparent, before I became a mom I had such wrong judgement toward moms who didn’t participate in church just because they had kids.
I am SO glad that now I get it; that it’s not a bad thing to tell someone ‘I’m sorry, but I’m not able to do that right now’ and give someone else the opportunity to serve…and I don’t feel an ounce of guilt!
Dearest Amanda
I believed God will honor your decisions with such grace and love.
He is the one true One to listen to and seek advice from!!!
Oh how I will miss you and your genuine writings.
But I know somehow, somewhere I will hear from you. Cause you have a gift of reaching women.
Please whenever, keep the Siestas up to date on pictures and whatever you need prayer for etc.
I love you so and care for you deply but more importantly so does GOD and you family!!!
I know that it was a tough decision that you and your family had to make. But you will never regret it. Ever! Enjoy the time that you have with them. I will miss your posts. But knowing that you will give us a shout out every now and again makes it all better.
Had to make a decision like this a few years. I never regretted it!! Now my children are older and in school and now I work at our church 30 hours a week. I can see God in that decision soooooo much.
Don’t let satan kick you around because he will try. Just alway remember that God called to this.
God Bless,
Love you
Amanda, you go Girl!!!! There is absolutely nothing more important in the world than what you are doing. And you already know how quickly those years pass. What an incredible time to be able to build into your children a wonderful legacy. Bless you, bless you!
Bravo! Excellent decision!
I’m thrilled for you for all you will get to treasure b/c of this decision. And I’m thanking God that He has provided the way for you to make it. He did the same for me over 11 years ago when my little guy was 6 and I’ll thank Him for it for all eternity.
Savor every moment…what everyone says about it flying by is really true.
Blessings & Love –
Pam
Wow Amanda…congratulations on making a tough choice…and choosing FAMILY! Women do not always get the praise they should for doing that…current culture doesn’t allow it.
Siestaville has benefited from your contributions so PLEASE continue to visit us.
What a lesson though. I am in the middle of “wanting” to make a change too, but I don’t feel the Lord has released me to do that. So I pray that I come to work with a good attitude and be thankful I have a job that the Lord has blessed me in. It’s not to leave a 25-year career to be home as a mom (I have no kids), but to have more time to devote to ministry, my husband and my home. Trust me, He has heard my cries 🙂
What a testimony Amanda…Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
Amanda,
I’ve wondered where you were. I figured something was going on along these lines.
I am also in the midst of major family transition. We decided to home school this year. My son is a 9th grader, yes, starting home school in high school; and my daughter a 7th grader. The Lord has been preparing my heart for this for awhile, but I didn’t see it or want to admit it until it was down to the wire and we HAD to make a decision.
One of the cries of my heart has been that the Lord would enlarge my heart and capacity to love. When it comes down to it, I am truly doing this because I have been enlarged to give more love. It is a huge self-sacrifice for me because I have a deep need for quiet and solitude. Home schooling two hyper-active kids and one with special needs is not quiet or solitary.
When my job as teacher is over, my job as mom continues. I feel like I’ve retreated back to the toddler years where you have to be available 24/7. So, I can totally relate to what you are saying and where you are even though our kids are far apart in age.
It is worth it. It is the race set before us and in the end all the toil and sweat will have paid off in wonderful, happy and Godly kids. The Lord says He has desired Godly offspring. It is work, but it brings honor to His name!
God bless you as you bless your family!
Thank you for that! Currently, my husband and only have his son every-other weekend, and no little ones of our own. I still feel that the Lord has placed it in my heart to homeschool when he blesses our nest with more little ones. I am also someone who needs solitude and a little quite time to maintain my sanity, so I can relate. Your comment has reassured me and given me confidence that if something is of the Lord it will truly work out for the best. Thanks again!
Well done, Amanda! Thanks so much for sharing your heart in this – I really appreciate it. May God bless you in the most obvious and extravagant ways as you serve your family in this new way.
Amanda,
Thank you so much for sharing this blog. I too am a young mom of a soon to be 3 year old. I have the privilege of staying home with him, but with that privilege comes sacrifices. My husband and I are at a point where we need a dramatic touch from the Master’s hands. All that to say, its been a rough, crying my mascara off, kind of day.
Many blessings to you and your sweet family. Lord Bless.
Misti
I had to go thru this myself so I know how difficult it can be. But if Mama ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy.
We love you, too, Amanda!
Amanda,
You have made such a wonderful decision!!This year our Son (17 years old) is a SENIOR in High School and daughter (23 years old) got married 6 months ago. Seventeen years ago my husband and I made the decision for me to stay at home with our children after having our second child!!!!My Stay at Home Mom time is almost over and I find myself happy/sad. The memories I have from being home with my children are so precious to me and I would do it all over again in a heart beat!!! Enjoy this time with your children because it sure goes by fast!!! I am looking forward to the plans God has for me in this next chapter of my life!!
You are very brave! It’s hard to walk away from something you love, even if you are walking towards something you love more! You will never regret the decsion you made! I can’t wait to hear the stories you will share! I have moved from one season of my life in ministry to another and it was very hard. Everything is so different, including the people I am around, but it’s still serving the one that I love more than life, and it’s just as exciting. It’s the same, but different! LOL! Prayers and Blessings to you!
Thanks for this post, Amanda. I can never get enough of this sort of positive encouragement! I am still praying about getting a part-time job, asking God for his will and way. It’s just hard to stay patient in the mean time.
Congrats on your decision. Having always been a stay at home mom, I sometimes have envied your position of being able to work etc… I don’t have a college degree. Yet, God has graced me with the ability to home school my four children. I am able to provide meals at home, fresh baked items and a meal for my family. I can volunteer with my church when needed. So I am very blessed.
So when next year comes around and you evaluate your time at home. I pray that you look back and see what you have accomplished, that it was all good!
Amanda, I promise you have made the right decision. I know it was a hard decision but one I know you will not regret. Being a stay at home mom has been one of the joys of my life. There have been times I would have loved to have a job just to be able to use my brain (and the money!) but I look back now and just treasure that time. Enjoy every moment of this time because it goes soooo fast. My big girl just started college and my little girl just started 3rd grade and I simply can’t believe it.
I am sure there will be days that as soon as daddy gets home you hand those two precious one off and tell him they are his but that is ok!! Hang in there and enjoy everything!!
Much love.
Good for you Amanda! I know the decision is hard, but what a great example youve put out there.
We made the choice 4 years ago for me to stay home and it was a great sacrifice, even selling our home so we could make ends meet. I would not presume to know your financial situation but I imagine a lot of readers out there are continuing to work because of money. But God is faithful…in every situation!!
Now, we own a home again and Ive never regretted being a full time mom.
Just listened to Beth’s OnePlace messages – the end of the Priestly series and the beginning of the wisdom series. A lot of great lessons related to these issues that I needed this afternoon.
“In Christ I cope.”
Props to you for making a God-honoring decision, Amanda. Not only will your children benefit, but so will your marriage. You probably have more time and energy to invest in Curtis, as the extra time you will have to yourself will allow you to get some things done that will free you up for time with him. It’s all a domino effect!
My kids are older (middle school boys), and they are my stepsons who live with us 50% of the time (week on, week off). I write for a living, which lends itself to one working from home (especially with a 12 and 14 year old), but the higher-ups are not supportive of employees working from home. I’m praying for some sort of solution that will allow me to write AND be at home. And support my seminary class schedule (just one class right now). 🙂
Blessings to you from NC!
Good for you, hard decision but you will never regret it.
Amanda,
Invest in them.
Stand up for them.
Protect them.
Teach them.
Enjoy them.
Love them.
Those tiny feet of theirs need to be taught how to follow Christ. I don’t know how you’ve done all you have done for us and for the ministry. I know Curtis will reap many blessings by your choice to put your family first. I will miss you so much, but I respect your decision completely. You have been a blessing to me and I would squeeze your neck really hard if we weren’t separated by about 5 state lines.
Thank you for loving us.
You will be in my prayers.
Love,
Deborah
Amanda
I went through the same EXACT thing this summer! I think the Ruth study had a lot to do with it. I was asking myself all those questions in the first week of study. I didn’t classify myself as supermom or superwife but I was unknowingly trying to live that way. Have it all; work, go back to school, be a mom to 3, a wife, run the house. Well in turn lots of things were getting done but nothing was being done well. God laid it on my heart to put my family first too. It’s still hard for me to talk about when people ask “what are you doing this fall?”, but I know I’m doing what God wants. You’re in my prayers. Continue praying for all of us out here too. Thanks!!!
Amanda,
I just wanted to say what an encouragement your post was to me – and convicting as well! I have been working 3 part time jobs so that I can stay at home with my son, who is a few months older than Jackson, and my 5 month old daughter. Recently, I have sensed the Lord saying, slow down and enjoy this time, but I have kept plowing ahead working as much as possible. Immediately after reading your post I felt conviction to the core and knew I had to do something to simplify my life. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you. Best wishes and enjoy this time!
I know exactly how you feel, Amanda! I worked at home with my kids for 7 years and I felt like no matter what I did, I was always either neglecting my kids, my house, myself or my husband. Last year my husband and I felt the need to bring our 11-year old and 9-year old home from school and I would stop working for $$ and start homeschooling. It was a FANTASTIC decision for all 4 of us. There is a lot less stress and a lot more happiness and calmness in our house. Enjoy this last year before Jackson goes to school and make lots of memories and take lots of pictures!
I needed to hear this. I started reading and was wondering how you could do it all and then you started to pour out what was on your heart. I’m a sahm of a 6mth old and now five yr old also taking care of my 1 yr old nephew to add to the craziness I’m homeschooling. I often need a break, when I see how hard my hubby works to bring home the bacon, I thank the Lord that I’m allowed the priviledge to take care of the fam. The Lord sent me to this blog today. Thanks for praying for the Moms out there I so recieved that!!
Now for you Amanda,
This is what I say to myself and I’m just going to share with you. This is only a season and only happens once so enjoy and make the most memories you can. Hugs and Love to you!!
God bless you Amanda —it is HARD to walk away, especially in such visual a job as LPM!! I cannot applaud enough your decision. I hope the LPM blog is around in 15 years when you say “where did the time go?” and I will be able to read it!! It will fly and those little ones will be looking at college. This time is precious and irreplaceable. Enjoy every tough, exhausting minute of it….because….it will fly! LOL! Have FUN this fall 🙂 Hugs!
Thank you so much for this post, Amanda. This is exactly what I needed to hear today!! It was as if He had you write it for me. I love when God works like that! From one mom to another I hope to encourage you by telling you that the job you are doing with your children is a treasured one. Hang in there. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Enjoy this season in your life, you are treasured! God bless,
Amanda
My family has eaten a lot of rice & beans and PB&J for dinner in order for me to be a stay-at-home mom. It is time I cherish and would eat beans & rice for the rest of my life in order to ensure my place at home with them. These are years that you cannot re-do. They will only be THIS age THIS year- then never again. I am so glad you have the opportunity to make the choice to be at home with your precious babies! Besides, it sounds like “the boss” really likes you, so I’ll bet she might hire you back when you’re ready.
Hi Amanda, I am neither a mother or wife but I truly appriciate your posting.
As I read your last paragraph, my eyes just filled with tears. Hearing that is such an encouragement. Thank you for stating “I know that many of you reading this are desperate for your situation – whatever that may be – to change.” Thank you for reminding us that the Lord hears us and knows what we are going through.
Thank you LORD! How awesome you are!
God Bless you and your family 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
I can only speak for myself in that I have never regretted staying home with my kids even now as they are 10 and 13.
Blessings to you.
Enjoy every day…they grow so fast. Seriously!
michelle in VT
Family is important and they will remember the times you spend with them. You are blessing, Amanda!
I stayed home with my twin boys and I wrote something I thought I would share:
Being a Mother
Do other mother’s struggle as I do, Lord
Is there day filled with little voices that call “Mama” every few minutes of the day?
Do other mother’s wake up to warm hugs & kisses, when still half- asleep?
…Is Winnie the Pooh, Semame Street and cartoons apart of their day?
Do other children hope for mom to say, Great Job, Well-done and Good, Now that’s the way!
Those little eyes that watch everything I do
Lord, Help them keep their eyes on You
Those little hands and arms
Help them not to push or shove, but reach out for hugs
Those little hearts that are so tender
Lord, fill them with Your love
Those little feet that like to run and play
Lord, help them to follow You each day.
And Lord, take me too,
Hold me close to You
Help me not to fall into temptation, but love You with all my might
And especially keep me calm not to raise my voice and do the things that are right
Keep me close to You ,
Make me, mold me and make me what You want me to be
Show me how to be a Godly Mom, so my children will see Your love shinning in me.
joyce~
God bless you and your family in Christ
So happy for you…you won’t regret it. You might wish you hadn’t :), but you won’t regret it. And you’re so right to recognize it as a “season”. My kids are just now getting to the age where I am beginning to sense the Lord “letting” me into other ministries again…but it required a season for all those seeds to germinate, I guess, before the fruit could come.
Well thankfully I don’t know enough about plants to continue my analogy :)…but the point is…I’m happy for you, and for your sweet kids. Your obedience and courage will not go unnoticed!
Amy
I know I’ll miss seeing you here, but I am very at peace that He has given you this season for family.
He is all about “seasons” right now, and I am excited what He has planned next:)
Ephesians 3:20-21:)
xoxo
ang
First of all, may I give a hearty, fist-pumpin’ Amen! I wish I could just hug your neck and tell you how proud I am of you. Truly, I couldn’t be happier for you and your little band of miniature people-in-the-making.
I have been tremendously blessed to have had spiritual mentors in my path that prioritized family over ministry and they had a profound impact on me and mine. But the chickens truly came home to roost was when my son (now almost 17) was 3 and a half. Your mom says once upon a time Melissa could’ve made Dobson cry. Well my darlin’ boy could’ve made him quit. And I am so not kidding.
My husband asked me to step down from all responsibilities outside of our home at that time–including a ladies Bible study I was leading. He said I might be helping ladies get to heaven but our son was heading for the alternative (and no, he didn’t term it that nicely). I think his exact phrase was, “When the Martians dropped him off, did they leave an instruction manual?”
A few years later Cam started kindergarten and I got to jump back into ladies Bible study. All these years later that fella is still stong-willed, but by God’s ridiculously abundant grace, he loves the Lord.
I won’t kid you. I’ve missed your delightful comments on here. But wiser voices than mine have surely already assured you that these fleeting moments of child-rearing are priceless and bear a harvest that lasts well beyond the bounds of our vapor-like earthly existence.
Blessings to you of many more days of dressing up, bedtime stories, playground afternoons and swimming pool splashin’. And no regrets.
the martians, hahaha
yes, hahaha, wherever did I leave that instruction manual?!!!!
xoxo, rene
Cute Thing Amanda,
Bravo for being transparent, again. May you reap the full rewards of His goodness for your willing and obedient heart.Eccl. 3 “There is a time for everything…..”
This is obviously your time to be a fully focused mom. I have been there; hard as it was emotionally, finacially, etc. Sacrificing the good for the better is NOT easy. God is faithful.
We will all look forward to hearing from you whenever the Lord permits…
xo, rene : )
AMEN!! I always say if I had a chance to go back in time where and when would it be? I would want to go to the sermon on the mount and here Jesus speak or a close tie to that is to see the Red Sea split open. But only for that scene and than get the heck outta there. LOL! The second, was to go back when my sons were 6, 4, 2, and a newborn. I was 27 yrs old and it was the happiest time of my life. Yes chaotic but I laughed and laughed and laughed. I am proud of you Amanda! Hold on to your sweet ones they grow up so fast!!
Thanks you for this heartfelt post and the encouragement. I cry as I read this scripture,..must head to my NIV to find it myself.
Amanda! Thank so much for writing this post! I just walked away from my job after 8 years on 7/28 and I can totally relate to everything you felt with regard to the changing emotions that it brings! And I feel the peace that being home brings. Have fun! 🙂
Amanda,
Thank you so much for sharing this post from your heart. I will be keeping you and your precious family in my prayers and looking forward to your posts.