Bubblewrap is not for people.

[This is the first in a series of posts about working smarter NOT harder.]

 

It's a challenging world these days.

When I raised my kids, I didn't have social media telling me if my house was lovely enough, or if I dressed in the most up to date styles, or if I was the best kind of mom who coordinated professional photos of my family in matching clothes every quarter.🤔

But still I doubted.

I doubted I was enough for them.

I doubted I was a good mom.

I doubted my ability to teach them what they needed to know for life.

I doubted I had enough patience.

I doubted I was beautiful enough.

Recently, I was around a mom and her kiddos. We were exploring in the back yard. The kids found a toad, screaming with excitement. We joined them and the mom proceeded to fret over them getting dirty, the toad pooping on them, them squishing the toad, etc.

Her stress was palpable, frantic.

Helicopter parenting isn't really a new thing. We just put a name to it.

When my kids were little they would play in the woods for hours. If one got hurt, they would all come running and we would deal with it.

Today, Moms seem to be so concerned about protecting their kids so they don't get hurt, physically or emotionally. And yet this world they are being raised in is tough on them, physically and emotionally.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I love this quote from Graham Cooke.

"You're not being challenged by the world. You're not being challenged by the flesh. You're not being challenged by the enemy. You're being challenged by God's goodness."

The very thing we try to protect ourselves and our kids from is the very thing that can bring us breakthrough, healing, and healthy relationships.

Obviously I'm not saying we should let our kids play near a busy street or knowingly put them in harms way. But bubblewrapping them is not the answer.

Let them play. Let them interact with people that may be unkind. Let them get their hands dirty. Being ok with them skinning their knee is part of life. Plus it is a great opportunity to talk about stuff with them, helping them process it in their sweet little minds so they can learn to cope in healthy ways, learning mom is a safe place with whom they can talk about anything. Those are the sweet spots of mothering.

The same is true for you, Mama.

If you find yourself getting angry at certain situations, ask Jesus what he thinks about it. Ask him why this stirs up feelings of anger or frustration in you. Ask Him what he wants to be for you in that situation.

The answer might not come in that moment. Often, I get answers while I'm driving. Without music playing, it gives Him space to speak because I have space to listen.

Quieting the world is the quickest road toward healing.

If you judge yourself according to the world of media, you will be disappointed.

If you judge yourself according to the Father who has ridiculous love for you, who quiets you with this love, who rejoices over you with singing, who delights in you, who thinks you are the very best, you will be filled with joy.

It will take time. Learning new things always do.

Working smarter not harder looks like stopping. Taking a breath. Remembering that you are loved and so are your kiddos. Wonderfully.

Stop the comparing, living frantic, hurried, keeping-up-with-the-Jones' life. You were made for much more than that.

Imagine the effect this will have on your children. It's not about putting them in a bubble so they never have to experience tough things. It's about giving them the tools to deal with tough things when they come.

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is today.

In a week, a month, a year you won't believe how you've grown, how your mindset has changed, perhaps how much healthier, even restful your days are.

I'm here on this journey with you, cheering you on.

 

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