The further into this journey of parenting I go, the more grace I need. I need it from the Lord obviously. And I need it from my friends. Here's a quote from a friend that I've been noodling on for awhile.
"Someone recently asked me for parenting advice and I told them, 'Surround yourself with friends who don't judge you or your parenting.'" (That was Sarah T, for the locals.)
Sure, I was as guilty as any other person pre-children. Even when the boys were still kinda little, I said things like "My kid will never ____."
One way God humbled me was to bless me with four children. I don't know an honest Christian mother who doesn't think that God is using motherhood to sanctify her. Holy Moly. I am constantly being humbled by saying things I never thought I'd say. I've turned a blind eye to behavior I never thought I'd permit. I struggle with anger more than I ever could have imagined. And, strangely, my children are not the perfect robot angels that I once knew they'd be. (But, they are pretty great!!!)
With all my failures in mind, it makes a WORLD of difference when I know I'm in the company of those who have grace for me. They have love and grace for me despite my flawed parenting. They have love and grace for my sinful children. Quite honestly, a friend's judgment on top of the failure does nothing if it doesn't make me a worse parent. It's burdensome.
What I need is understanding. I need encouragement. I need patience.
(And friends who are being judgmental need understanding and patience too! Bear with them and love them! And trust that God will humble them in His time! :D)
No need to affirm my stupid parenting moments. I don't need someone to tell me that my anger or my inconsistent parenting is inspiring. I need to know they love me anyway and that they'll be praying for me. I need to know they'll pray for my kids.
And, by God's grace, that's what I have. I am so blessed to be surrounded by friends who aren't judging me. I feel safe to confess my shortcomings and walk in the light and come away refreshed and ready to be a better mom.
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9 comments:
Amen! Again, thanks for being that refreshment for me today.
I feel like *I* could have written this post (though you did it much better than I could have :))...these very same thoughts have been circulating in my mind this week! I was just telling some mommy friends yesterday that I will never again judge another person's parenting style! :) Anyway, thank you for sharing your thoughts on the matter. Parenting sure is a humbling and sanctifying thing, isn't it!
Yes...love this!! Thanks, Jenna!
You are wise beyond your young years. I really do love you and your kids -- I'm so blessed to have some Scheetz in my life! :-)
So true, Jenna. I don't know of anything that is more humbling, more challenging, more exasperating or more rewarding than being a mother. I'm so grateful to be mothering alongside of you. I am regularly refreshed and renewed by your graciousness towards me.
jenna, thanks for this!
You are blessed indeed! Our children are built-in accountability, humility and sanctification aids! And my prayer is that in parenting (or grandparenting as I am now experiencing *gasp!*) we would soften to God's grace toward us as we extend grace to others and receive grace from others! And further, that our children would
learn to honestly trust God as they live with ours (as well as their own) shortcomings in light of God's grace!
Amen! (I found your blog through Abraham Piper's tweet!)
I feel blessed to have found some awesome friends who love me and don't judge me and encourage me to strive for a closer walk with Jesus.
THIS is so wonderful. I'll come back and read it again and again for many reasons. Thank you!
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