Have you ever received advice and tips from someone before? Have you ever received unsolicited advice? How about advice on a topic that the advice-giver is not even an expert on? How about advice on situations a person has no information about? Okay, since you see the title of the blog post and the pic of the book I’m sharing about, I think you know where I’m going with this. Moms receive A LOT of advice. Sometimes it is well-intentioned, sometimes not-so-much. Sometimes the person who is giving the advice has no authority to give the advice. I have worked with MANY kiddos before becoming a mom and let me say, I will almost NEVER give advice unless someone asks me a specific question. (If it’s truly for the health and safety of a child, you better believe I will say something.) Motherhood is something you can try to prepare for, but as most moms have experienced, things don’t always go according to the plans. There are lots of “unexpecteds” in motherhood, so I’m thankful for a God who is in control! Can I get an AMEN?
We must stop comparing and competing if we want to experience the lives God has for us.
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Beauty in the Mess
I think we always joke that we wish there was a handbook for motherhood. In a way, God has given us a few words in His Word – the Bible, but living it out in the day-to-day is a whole different story. The changing of diapers, the middle-of-the-night wakings no matter how old those kiddos get, and the laughter and the tears, it’s all “in the moment.” Sometimes we forget how loved we are and how much grace we need for this journey. I’m thankful to Ruth Schwenk whose words have guided me in the beginning years of my own motherhood journey. I’m so glad so explains at the start of the book the meaning of the title of her book and blog. The Better Mom is not a “this is how you do it” story, but a guide to help us be confident in the decisions we make as moms because we are purposeful in leaning on God’s guidance through the process.
Welcoming the Grace
Ruth does a great job at pointing us back to the Scriptures as she shares her stories and how she found direction for her journey. You’ll see that even as a pastor’s wife, mom of four kids, and founder and servant in multiple ministries, is a work-in-progress mom like you and me. This is a season of growing in grace. Some days we crush those goals. Other days we fall short. But it’s how we grow from each of those places that make us a better mom. When we choose to do better and to keep going. Ruth does share some tips, but it’s my hope that you take it like you would other advice and take what works for you and tweak what doesn’t. That’s how we can welcome the mess. When our kids try something for the first time, it can be a mess. It’s definitely not perfect. Then, the next time, s/he gets better at it.
Ruth’s Bio | Website | FB | IG | Twitter | Pinterest | Get your copy here –> *amzn.to/2sRMC6o
Your turn: What one thing are you doing to become a better mom?
Don’t forget to get your copy here or any location where books are sold! –> *amzn.to/2sRMC6o
*Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a tiny percentage if you make a purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure policy here.