Meaning

I have found myself looking into the conversations and thoughts I have had recently regarding motherhood. It truly is the hardest thing I have ever done, but as I think more deeply about it I realize it is not just one thing that makes it hard but a variety of things. Don't get me wrong it is one of the greatest blessings and callings of my life but some days are harder than others. However, I have come to realize that it is so hard not to define yourself in the role of being a mom at least in the beginning because it demands so much of your mind and body that often you loose track of the bigger picture and the blessing it is. The first few months were really hard for me and the adjustment period is something you hear very little about, which does a major disservice to women. Disservice meaning that you question weather the questions and emotions you have are normal and the idea of having time to just sit and think clearly are activities of the past.
I think that there is a real need to realize that we have to find our identity in the One who gave us life rather in the multiple roles that we play in this life. For me, if I am not first seeing my identity in Christ I loose perspective on all other things...including that of being a wife and mom. I don't want to loose out on the goodness of Jesus by trying to do everything on my own...but so often I do.
For me, I have learned (countless times) that I have to pray for strength for just this day before my feet hit the floor. I then have to have time alone with Jesus. Finding time to truly be silent is still hard for me. It's all a work in progress, but I want to first be found in Him above any other thing or role that I have.
So, I leave with some verses I have shared with a few precious friends lately. Verses that have encouraged me on the journey.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 145:8
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Numbers 6:22-26
22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 " ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '
Laminations 3:22-24
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."