Motherhood….so many emotions and words can be spoken on this topic. I have felt so many. Being told we would never have children stands out as one.
Infertility.
Heartbroken, Pain…why me?
Then blessed beyond measure with two amazing sons through such difficult pregnancies that the doctor thought for sure they would not make it.
Motherhood is such a joy. Something I desired for so long yet a dream that was thought to be silenced. I am so thankful for our two sons.
I always wanted to be a mother and love my role. But the days are still hard and long and at times I think what in the world am I doing and why did the Lord choose me to raise these precious boys? Some days I wonder how bad I am messing up their lives. Most days I stand in awe that these two boys, one looking me eye to eye now, came from my body and have been entrusted to my care.
Motherhood can take you by surprise…no matter how much you wanted to be a mom. There are parts of you that you see that you never knew you had in you.
God chose us to be a family. He chose me to be their mother and guardian of their warrior hearts. It is such a privilege. This motherhood journey is not easy and it takes work, but it comes with oh such sweet rewards.
Moms have a habit of telling everybody they are fine, when in truth, they are far from fine, when life is in chaos. I spent last weekend in a conference with 300 mothers who are wanting to find hope in this journey of motherhood. And not just be okay with saying they are fine.
We were blessed by Lisa-Jo Baker, someone that speaks to my heart and I have admired for a long time. I first met Lisa-Jo at a conference in 2012 and was in awe of meeting what we call a big blogger…a world changer. She is like an old friend that you can just sit down and chat over chocolate. I enjoyed visiting with her a little last weekend and sitting around late at night with other mothers, word bearers and hope seekers while enjoying chocolate cupcakes…chocolate is a must with moms.
Lisa – Jo is mother of three who has felt heartache that I have never experienced through losing her own mother at a young age. She has traveled many places in this world and is leaving her mark on it. And today is is birthing a new baby that will change lives. It did mine.
Surprised by Motherhood is not another how to manual for moms that will leave you feeling guilty. It is a journey of one who lost her mom, never wanted to be a mom and found how God can restore broken hearts. It is a book of hope, grace, the raw, real life motherhood that we all experience but don’t want to talk about and seeing beauty in broken places.
Motherhood is not about trying to be a supermom and the best there is. Motherhood is a journey. You learn so much about yourself when you become a mom…much of which you wish you didn’t know about yourself. Your children can help you see the love and grace of our Savior like never before.
Moms, we need to stop comparing ourselves to others. We need to encourage one another. We need to know we are not failures.
Some nuggets that we were blessed with by Lisa-Jo at the conference and just a glimpse of what you will find in Surprised by Motherhood…
This is a book that you will want to read over and over. A book that needs a place on your nightstand because when the days get hard, you will pick it up and know you have hope. Lots of hope. Because we are not going to be part of this crazy alone world where we say “I am fine” but dying a thousand deaths in silence.
We are going to be hope bearers and lift each other other. This hard yet wonderful journey need not be traveled alone. Surprised by Motherhood will let you know that you are not alone and that you are mighty because you are a mother.
You will know that God loves you and has a plan for your life, whether or not you are called mother.
This is a book that you will want to give as gifts to bless other mothers. You will wish this book had been gifted to you when you were a young mom.
And when you read the book and see that we are all in this together, look at the last page and see how Lisa-Jo and her family are helping to change little lives and encourage mothers across the world. You can be part of this as well. I feel like I know a lot more about South Africa and the culture than I ever knew before.
Thank you, Lisa-Jo, for being real and sharing with others. Thank you for helping us see that we no longer need to cover up the realness of motherhood by saying we are fine. Thank you for showing us that we can do this motherhood thing. And thanks for the conversation and getting to know your heart…over cupcakes and chocolate.
