the power of the mom

I was reading an article about how to be a great wife {found here} and found that instead, one part in particular, spoke to me about how to be a great mother.  Particularly a great stay-at-home mother.

The author talks about how to set the tone for your house, and uses scripture to back his position.  The verse he quotes spoke right to my heart.  I was meant to hear it, I'm sure.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.  When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.  She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness."  

-Proverbs 31: 25-27

I am going to make this my quote for the year.  

I am going to pull inspiration from it and do my best to follow its advice.

-I AM GOING TO "WEAR" DIGNITY & STRENGTH

I am going to be sure of myself and my decisions.  I am going to trust that Josh and I know what is best for our family, and act accordingly.

-I AM GOING TO "LAUGH WITHOUT FEAR OF THE FUTURE"

Or at least, I am going to try.  I tend to be a worrier, and live in constant fear that Josh, myself or one of the kids is going to die.  This year, I would instead like to trust.  I would like to trust that God has carried us this far, and He will continue to do so.

-I AM GOING TO (ATTEMPT TO) BE WISE AND INSTRUCT MY CHILDREN WITH KINDNESS 

This is something I am really working on.  

This will go hand in hand with my No Yelling goal.  

I want to be an example to them.

-I AM GOING TO WATCH EVERYTHING IN MY HOUSEHOLD,

AND WORK HARD AT THIS JOB I AM SO BLESSED TO HOLD

I was visiting with a friend the other night, one whom I only got to see once while home, and I am amazed at how even though we only got to be together for a few short hours at a party, he managed to leave such an impact on my heart.

He was telling me about a discussion he had with his teenage daughter.  He had sat down with her for a moment to remind her (kindly, gently) that she is lucky to live the life she does.  "You live a charmed life," he told her.  "You are a blessed girl," he reminded softly.  

As he told the story of his parenting, not with yelling or finger pointing, but with easy reminders that others have it harder, I was deeply moved.  He could very well have had that conversation with me the last few weeks.  I have been on the pity pot big time.  Having surgery, not feeling well, the work of packing and raising the kids all at the same time...  Lots, it seemed, to complain about.

And yet...

And yet, I am blessed. I live a charmed life.

I have three beautiful children, who are healthy.

I have a husband who loves me like no one on this planet.

I have parents who support me and are there when I need them,

and I have sisters (yes, Julie, I count you, too!) who are my very breath.

I live a charmed life.

And with this beautiful reminder of the life I am so blessed to live, comes gratitude.  Gratitude for my position as homemaker.  And resolution.  Resolution to do it even better this year.

Join me.  Join me in making a little goal for yourself.  

Smiling when you wake up instead of frowning.  

Breathing when the kids drive you batty instead of yelling.  

Hugging your husband when he walks in the front door instead of ignoring his arrival.  

Choose one small thing you can do in your everyday life to improve the "tone" of your household.  

That, my friends, is the power of the mom.

And it's an awesome one.

Let's not waste it.