This Mommy Loves the Savior

This week has been really great. Vacation throws you off a bit, but I finally feel like I am finding a foothold in Mommyhood. It did help that I had a nice long break. :)

Today's thoughts are about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, I know this is a mommy blog, but I KNOW I wouldn't be where I am without my Savior. I feel this is a debatable topic right now with alot of people, but this is my blog, and I am only here to express how I feel.

I was raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, sometimes called the Mormon Church. Growing up in the south was difficult because so many people, including friends I went to school with, thought I wasn't Christian. That was really offensive to me at the time because Jesus Christ is the at the center of my faith. But as I've grown older, I have kind of stopped caring about what others think I think, and I have focused only on how I think.

As a little girl, my parents raised me to be kind to others no matter who they are and what they believe, and I really hope that as a mom, I am instilling all of those same values in my boys. The Savior exemplifies all that a person should be: kind to all, giving, humble, prayerful, thoughtful, prone to serve others instead of self, loving, obedient. I could go on, but really, it was more effective to read and learn when I was self-motivated to find those answers.

But I think about how I was raised, and by no means am I close to being perfect, but I am so much better off because of the teachings of Christ. The other day I was at the park with the boys and there was a group of teens behind me. Every other word out of his mouth was a cussword and in the five minutes I was in line in front of them I heard conversations about discrimination, rape, shooting someone, and a slew of other things I'd rather not mention on a mommy blog. Maybe I am ignorant, or choose to surround myself with good things, but I was shocked to hear teens talk so flippantly about such careless things.

I felt bad for judging them once I had moved away from the situation, but then it got me thinking about how they had even gotten that way. How could someone ever teach their children to be okay talking about such filth? But then I am reminded that everyone is raised differently and who are we to judge someone's journey.

And in that moment, I was so grateful I was taught the Savior's way about kindness, charity, and virtue. Sure, you can teach your children this without having a faith in anything, but how much of it will stick if they do not have a perfect example to follow. Jesus was perfect in all that he did, and although tempted, never succumbed. He is the example we look to when we need to know how to respond to a situation. Even mortal men cannot do that at all times and in all places. We are weak as human beings and I for one would not want to be the person that my children always looked to. They would learn some pretty horrible habits that I constantly work on. But the Savior, He has shown us the way. He is the Light and the Way. He is our brother, our friend, and our Savior and I am so glad my children will always have Him to look to.

I love these words of the Savior.
Doubt not. Fear Not.
For I am the way, the Truth, and the Life.
And in him, we shall have everlasting Life.

Mommies, it is tough out there and we need all the help we can get to help our little ones make it through the storms and trials just waiting for them. I can't close this post off without encouraging those of you that don't know your Savior to begin that process. Get on your knees and pray. Knock and He will open the door to everlasting life, a life that is so incredible, you cannot imagine its wonders.

Life in the ‘Hood

Today's story brought to you by a dear writing friend and dedicated to all my mommy friends :)

Life in the ‘Hood

by Misty Sutton

She sat staring at the door.

You’re going to have to go out there eventually, she told herself.

She stood.

And paced.

She wasn’t sure if she could handle this.

She sat back down.

They’ll be waiting for you. They probably already are, she thought.

You graduated at the top of your class. You could have been like everyone else. Like your roommates and friends. You could have taken a desk job. Could have run for office. You could have been a doctor or a lawyer or started your own company.

Instead you’re here.

With this incredible—she shook her head—responsibility.

She glanced toward the window, the slivers of emerging sunshine beckoning to her from beyond.

You could run. Just slip away and disappear somewhere. In a matter of hours, you could be lying on a beach, a cold drink in one hand and a book in the other. You could just forget everything. Let it all go.

But they’d know. Eventually, they’d find you.

After all, what would they do without you? Everything would fall apart if you weren’t here.

They need you.

She buried her face in her hands. This wasn’t exactly how she’d pictured her life. When she was young, barely a freshman in college, she was determined to save the world. Convinced she had all the solutions. She was brilliant and capable and determined. Back then, she was Super Woman. But now?

Now was different.

Now, most days, she had no idea what she was doing.

And she was terrified that one day they’d all realize it.

Then turn on her for it.

This was so much easier when you were younger, she thought. When you had more energy. More confidence.

When there weren’t so—so darned many of them.

She shook her head, no doubt in her mind that there was already some disaster waiting for her on the other side of that door, some new and increasingly more creative mess that only she could clean up.

How in the world did I ever get myself into this? she thought.

Then knew.

It was him. This was all his fault.

The man who’d suddenly stepped into her life. Charming, and handsome, and vibrant. With those warm brown eyes and irresistibly mischievous grin. While she was still young and naïve, still ripe for the picking, he’d scooped her up and swept her away, determined to make all her dreams come true. Together, they’d save the world, he’d said. Together, they’d make a difference in a place where it was truly mattered.

And there were times, tiny moments, where she thought they had.

But then there were days, like today, that she wasn’t so sure.

Day where she wondered if they’d gotten themselves in over their heads.

But it was too late to go back now. They were all counting on her.

And she knew it.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and glanced at the screen. For a moment, she thought about calling him, telling him she couldn’t handle it. That, just for today, she needed his help. But she knew he was off fighting his own part of the battle, putting out his own fires. She had a part to play, and so did he. If he could fulfill his role in their little ill-conceived partnership, then why couldn’t she?

She took a deep breath.

Okay, you can do this, she thought.

Then stood and headed for the door.

There are days you’re going to fail miserably, she told herself. Days where you feel like you’ve slammed straight into a wall, where you’re convinced you haven’t gotten through to them, even in the slightest, and that they’re all going to end up as reckless deviants, destined to spend the rest of their lives in jail.

But there are going to be days where you see that glimmer in their eyes—where they say something or do something that proves they understood, that they were actually listening—and then all your hard work, all your sacrifices, will be completely worth it. Those are the days where you’ve won. The days where you’ve saved the world, even if only for them, in a way that’s most important.

She reached for the doorknob.

And as for those situations they seem to keep getting themselves into, the ones only you can fix, well… in the grand scheme of things, it can’t possibly be that bad.

After all, they’re only children, she said, then turned the knob.

“Mom!” someone screamed from the other side of the door. “Connor’s got his head stuck in the banister again!”

Oh my gosh, she breathed and bowed her head.

She slowly took her hand off the knob and tried to pretend she hadn’t touched it.

It’s going to be a long summer.

And that's all my mommy friends :) If you want to read more from Misty, she's an amazing writer and I'm currently reading her novel, When Darkness Builds. Check it out! https://books.pronoun.com/when-darkness-builds/

Mommies need to take a vacation

I don't know if you have figured this out by sad experience, but going an a vacation with your children....is not really a vacation. Shocker, right?

Two weeks ago, I flew out to Georgia to be at my best friend's wedding, visit my hometown, and see people and places I love. It was Uuuuuuhhhhmazing! Seriously, I don't think I recall a better vacation. It was kid-free and that helped, but I had so much time to myself. I dug into my roots, got reacquainted with my besties, visited some of my favorite spots, (one may have even involved a playground) and ate amazing food.

I went to church at the one I grew up at and that really was good for my soul, other than a good Brunswick Stew, which I also had.

But all this taught me that taking time to yourself for an extended period of time is so healthy, I don't know why it's not mandated. When I stayed in Thomaston, my hometown, I stayed at an empty furnished apartment BY MYSELF, and I LOVED it! Seriously, I could have stayed there the entire time, but then I wouldn't have ridden fourwheelers with fireflies, or went swimming or hiked up Stone Mountain in the dead-hot of a Georgia summer with my bestie and her kids. Really, I was truly blessed the whole trip.

And then...the best moment upon returning was when my boys were waiting for me at the airport and they literally ran and cried because they were so happy to see me. Yes, mommy vacations are essential for keeping things in perspective and for helping your kids realize that they do actually love you and miss you when you are gone.

Mommy out!