When you are a mom you need other mothers in your life. You desperately need women who have been where you are before to cheer you on and help you make it through. You need women who are willing to pray for you on difficult days, laugh with you and rejoice with you on good days and just love you no matter what.
In order to have these women in our lives we need to open our hearts and let them in. We need to be teachable and willing to learn from others around us. We need to open our eyes to the value of women who are beyond us in age and experience.
There seems to be a disconnect in our society of women who are younger and just beginning their mothering journey and those who are some years older having nearly completed the work of hands on mothering. I’ve heard some of these women confess to feeling like they are “unseen” by the younger generation.
I believe that we {sometimes} don’t see them because of pride.
I know I held tightly to pride as I began to raise my babes. I wanted to figure it out, to do it well and not be so weak as to need much help. My mother lived a few states away and I didn’t even realize my need for a mentor in my life who would counsel me during that challenging time. It didn’t even occur to me to ask someone to step in and fill that role.
Oh, how I wish my eyes had seen them – the women around who were full of wisdom, understanding and experience. I wish I had a soft heart then that was teachable and ready to hear wise counsel.
God has provide me with some very wise mentors along my mothering journey (including my own mother who has 10 children). I’ve also been blessed to read books full of wisdom on the subject of mothering. But there’s nothing like getting into the trenches of motherhood with women who are deeply committed to your success and are close by.
As my heart has been softened and my pride dealt with, I have had some amazing women come into my life that I could hear and accept help from. None of them are/were perfect mothers but then again none of us are and they are rich in love and experience. They are helping me to be a better mom and support me in my journey.
Do you need a woman in your life to mentor you in your mothering? Is there someone around you who may be willing but that you just aren’t seeing? Can you humble yourself enough to ask God to provide and then ask them if they would be willing to walk along side you in your journey of motherhood?
[…] Day 17: Teachable Heart […]