ROOTED IN LOVEâ—½ HOME
My oldest child turned 10 years old this week, and I can hardly believe it. A decade of motherhood flew by in the blink of an eye. My babies aren’t babies anymore. They’re growing up right before my eyes. Not only that, but I’ve done a lot of growing too.
For this month’s story, I thought I would share 10 things I’ve learned in my 10 years as a mom.
1. The little things are actually the big things. It’s not only big milestones or achievements that matter. Everyday little moments are often our most precious memories. Snuggles on the couch in the morning, walks outside holding hands, reading a story together – these things are the true treasures in life.
2. Memories last, clean houses don’t. While cleanliness is important, it’s not a measure of success or happiness in your home. It’s better to have a messy house full of laughter and love than to have a perfectly spotless kitchen.
3. You’re never too old or too big to say sorry. Nobody is above apologizing, whether you’re the child or the parent. Being able to admit when you’re wrong is vital to the health of your family.
4. The only way to have peace is to trust God. You’ll never be able to have all the answers, so don’t stress out over every little thing. Trust God to take care of your family. His timing is perfect and His ways are good. He’s in control, so rest assured in His presence.
5. Sometimes all you need is a hug. Life can be crazy and overwhelming and scary, but a hug can make a huge difference. It’s a simple but powerful gesture. It says, “I’m with you. You’re not alone.”
6. Walking the walk is just as important as talking the talk. There is no room for hypocrisy in parenting. If I want my children to behave in a certain way, then telling them is not enough. I have to practice what I preach and lead by example.
7. There’s no such thing as a perfect parent, so give yourself grace. No matter how hard you try to get everything right, you’re bound to make mistakes. It’s part of life, but it doesn’t define you. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Learn from it and move on. Remember that God’s mercies are new every morning.
8. Life is short; enjoy the little moments. Don’t be too wrapped up in getting everything done that you forget to stop and smell the roses. Your kids are only little for a little while, and it flies by so quickly. Slow down and enjoy it. It’s okay to have fun!
9. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Honestly, life is never perfect, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. Don’t focus on the negative, but keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He’s given you such wonderful blessings. What a beautiful life!
10. Love is a choice, not a feeling. We can’t live life on the whims of our feelings. We must choose to love our families every day, even when it’s hard. Even when we’re tired and stressed and overwhelmed. Feelings do not dictate our love. That’s Jesus’ job.
I’ve learned so much over the last decade of motherhood, so it was hard to narrow it down to this handful of things to share. I would love to hear what you’ve learned as a mom! Or if you’re not a mom, what have you learned over the last 10 years? Feel free to share in the comments below.