When Stress Strikes

My mom is my best friend. She is there for me when I need her in times of stress and has always been my biggest cheerleader to push me towards my dreams. Full of wisdom and support, I have her on speed dial for both my joys, and for when my stress levels get even slightly elevated. If I cannot reach her at home, I simply track her down on her cell-phone. I once found her at the grocery store and while holding the cell phone in the crevice of her neck, and putting an order in to Ed the butcher, she was able to help me gain perspective within minutes. Don’t get me wrong, I respect when she’s busy, such as the time has told me that she’ll call me back, for something ridiculous like being in the shower. I simply told her that she doesn’t have to call me back…I’ll talk to her while she’s showering!

Being a homeschooling mom of many, I remember a grocery shopping experience of mine where I was grocery shopping with all my children. I had passed by a mother whose toddler was throwing a tantrum, right in the middle of an isle; basically a mother’s worst nightmare. She was frazzled, had a baby strapped to her body, all while trying to push her heavy cart. She was completely stressed out. I walked on by, judging, and feeling good my kids were sitting nicely.  I only did that once in my life. It didn’t take long for the same thing happen to me, except, and I remember this vividly, another mom put her hand on my shoulder and told me that she had been there before and she knew just how I felt. That non-judging, support from a woman I didn’t even know gave me enough strength to get through the tantrum with my child in a positive way, and left me with a lasting impression. I learned to give support to other women as well, definitely not judge, and always try and offer support… when stress strikes. We all experience stress and being a mother means stress can strike at any time; we need that support, love, and wisdom from other women who have been there before. God wants us to turn toward Him for everything in our lives and that means in times of stress, too.  And God also gives us people to love and support us here on earth. God is good!

The wiser women in my life have made me wise beyond my years. They have and still do give me strength and the encouragement I need to be all I can be: personally, spiritually, and mentally. That pours into my family life and helps me be a good mother, wife, and friend. Find the mentor you need from wiser, older women. They have invaluable wisdom and can help you when–stress strikes!