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“It can’t be morning already!”
As a mom who hasn’t slept through the night in almost six years, this thought often crosses my mind in the early hours of the day when I hear my first child awake.
Right now, I’m in the thick of mothering young children. My oldest is not even six, yet my fifth baby is due this summer. There are days when I feel so bogged down in the day-to-day mothering that I forget to actually enjoy my children.
If you’ve ever been in a place where you feel inadequate or exhausted in your role as a mom, I’d love to encourage you to read Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson.
I started reading this book after hearing it highly praised, but I was completely unprepared for the ministering it would do for my soul.
Sarah Mae’s honest account of her desperate feelings as a mother of young children hit close to home and I found myself praying for a mentor-friend like Sally Clarkson who has been there and through God’s grace raised her children well.
One point that struck my again and again was that we cannot expect to do mothering well alone.
As somewhat of an introvert, I typically wait for others to include me in activities and events. However, after reading how Sally has had to start almost every group to which she has ever belonged, I decided that with our new home I will be more intentional about connecting with others.
I am also bumping my pleadings for godly women friends and mentors higher up on my prayer list. 
Another point that resounds over and over is simply to live within the grace God freely gives us as mothers. Sarah Mae and Sally encourage moms to let go of preconceived notions, idealistic perceptions, and unrealistic goals. Desperate offers its readers permission to abandon the formulas of parenting experts and to simply ask God to show you the best way to parent your own children.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the Q & A section with Sally. At the end of the book, Sally takes time to answer several questions with such a gracious and encouraging spirit. Her answers offer insights from a seasoned mom along with suggestions and ways to help keep you from feeling desperate.
Are you feeling weary in your role as a mom? Please, leave us a comment–we’d love to pray for you!
See all the books we’ve read so far in 2013, check out the 13 books I plan to read in 2013, or take a look at all the books on my to-read (someday) list.
I was provided a copy of this book through BookSneeze®, but all opinions are my own.
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When we lived in our townhouse, we invited people over, but it was a challenge. Now that we have a home with a bit of space, I am very intentional about having people over. Sometimes it is hard for other people to invite our family over because we are bigger than average, but hardly anyone turns down an invitation! We have been blessed over and over by bringing people into our lives and sharing our home with them.
Kristin recently posted..Goal Check-In (with photos)
I can tell that you are intentional about having people into your home. I really admire (& appreciate) that about you!
When we lived in the townhouse we typically only invited my parents or siblings over because we really just couldn’t fit many more children in the tiny living area. Now that we have a bit more space, I’m working on some goals for hospitality.
I think having other people over is also a huge teaching tool as we demonstrate servitude and hospitality to our children. It also helps them see the joy of sharing things that are usually their own.
When my children were little (they are teens now) I started a mom’s group. My first born was only four months old so my knowledge of mothering was about paper thin but we were all isolate, lonely and needed community. I can relate to Sally’s comments. More than any season of life, we need the sisterhood during those early years of raising young kids. The exhausting years that you think will never end but actually are gone in a blink looking back. May God bring you those women in your life to help carry the load. Nice to meet you through Tell His Story.
Shelly Miller recently posted..When You Feel Invisible
Thank you for stopping by and for offering words of encouragement. I love your latest post especially this line, “Because most of what we do, the way we leave our imprint on the world, will never be seen. But God sees. We are not invisible to Him.” So true!
I’m looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for reminding me that I need to order it!
jdukeslee recently posted..#TellHisStory: Neverlands and Promised Lands
I definitely recommend it. Thank you for the #TellHisStory link-up.
I have only one son, but I fill myself so tired. It seems he takes all my time. I don’t understand how you cope with all of your children.I admire you.
I have no time for normal quiet prayer even.
I can not imagine what I would do if I have another child.
I need somebody pray for me.
My name is Anna.
And sorry for my English. I am from Russia.
Anna, my heart goes out to you. Being a mom is so challenging. I felt exactly the same way when I only had one child. When my first daughter was born I couldn’t even figure out how to get a shower, now I simply sit the kids in the bathroom with a pile of books
Ask God to help you find ways to change so you can have more energy to be the kind of mom he wants you to be.
Motherhood does get easier! But still there are many days when my prayers are far from the normal quiet prayers I prayed before children. It’s okay, God understands. Be creative in your prayer time, fit it into the normal rhythm of your days. Pray aloud with your son, let him see your devotion to God in the way you live your life and treat others. This too is worship!
We’re praying for you!
Allyson,
First I am impressed with so many little ones at home that you are actually able to read a book. That, my friend, is an awesome accomplishment. I enjoyed your post and as a mom with grown children, I encourage you to keep using the best manual on parenting – The Bible! Believe it or not, one day your children will rise up and call you blessed. Praying for you and your God-sized dream!
Blessings,
Bev
Bev Duncan recently posted..Identity Crisis – Who Am I Really?
I agree with Bev…totally awesome that you are finding to read God’s Word and Desperate! I finished reading that book recently myself…I’m a fellow God-sized Dreamer…saw your icon there. I have been where you are…keep trucking…I only have two kids and it’s a juggle. Raise your children with LOVE…it will be fine with God. He will wink at you always.
Jennifer recently posted..Firework Flowers
How I wish this had been around when my children were younger! But now I seek to be a Sally Clarkson to the many young mothers that are in my community. Not that I have it all figured out but I am further down the road than the ones with infants and toddlers
I think I should probably get a copy of this book too!
I’m sure you would enjoy it and gain valuable insight to pass on to the young mothers around you.
As an introvert myself, I totally understand what you said about waiting for others to include you. It’s hard for me to “put myself out there” and initiate friendships, but with 2 little ones and another on the way, and a husband who works 12 hour shifts, I’ve had to do just that. I’m reading Desperate for a book club and it is amazing!
Jamie H recently posted..Stones Rolled Away