I remember being that young mom in my early twenties with only a couple little ones under toe. I stayed at home, I baked, I cooked, I went to bible study, homeschooled, and had, 3-days a week, playdates with my best friend who had kids the same age. It was fun and hard at the same time and just the beginning of my mommy journey and I was loving it.
But I also remember the time when I felt something was missing. I remember calling my mom trying to figure out what that could possibly be. I was surrounded by motherhood bliss, what else could I possibly need? My mom thought I needed to get out, to take more breaks from my babies so I could replenish. Yes, it was nice to get-out once and awhile to refuel, but that wasn’t my hearts need.
God led me to what my heart needed and you know what that was?
To dream again.
To pick up my paintbrush and charcoal pencils I had put away in exchange for diapers, to seek and find all my God-given talents and to use them for me, to use them to share with my family, my children, God’s glory, and the world!
God revealed this need to me in a dream one night and it woke me up suddenly. I was startled, renewed, excited, motivated! I remember waking up my husband telling him what God told me I needed to do and he was my biggest supporter and fan. The idea of being a wife and mother and being Jenny, gave me such excitement!
God told me I didn’t need to neglect me in order to be a good wife and mother.
He had marvelous plans for me! And being and using all of me, made me a better mother and a better wife. It also taught my children to always seek and use what God has given them to do too. Once I picked up art pencils and paintbrush again, my children with interest picked them up and some of them are big-time artists and spend hours mastering their love! Watching me gave them curiosity, gave them motivation to try something new; they began to pursue things they loved and it was such a blessing to be the one to help them pursue it.
Being continually conscious of the fact that we as mothers need to be all we can be for our children is important, as our children are always watching us and learn from us.
This is how my love for cooking, baking, blogging, writing, speaking, unschooling, Planner Perfect Meals, and Planner Perfect came to unfold for me. It began by listening to my heart and by hearing what God pressed on to me to do. He wants you to do the same, mamas.
It is never too late to explore your God-given talents and strengths. Seek them, find them, and use them! And if you’re a young mama just starting out, don’t delay! Being a mother using her strengths and talents and using them for her joy and to share with the world is what God wants for you. Enjoy it!
Have you ever felt this way in your motherhood? Maybe instead of feeling something was missing it came in the guise of feeling unmotivated and a lack of excitement to greet each day. Please share…
Wow! Are you speaking to me (again) or what? I just prayed about this. I've been feeling unmotivated and lost the spark to do things I enjoy. After reading this, I realize that all my decisions are based around my children. They don't see me living my life because I'm worried about my tasks, or worried about what I may not be doing for them. They're not motivated to do things they enjoy because I'm not showing them what that looks like and the power and joy that comes from that. I'm reaching for my Planner Perfect, planner right now! There's sewing and baking to do and fun to be had! Thanks for the reminder, Jenny! God bless you!
Susan M.
New Mexico
Oh Susan, I'm glad this spoke to you…enjoy yourself again and use what God gave you! You will get your excitement back and it will flow through your motherhood. That's what I love about the Planner is that it harnesess those dreams!
God bless you too!
Your friend…
With my first son I went through a divorce and ended up working a lot of hours to keep us a float, so when my husband and I found out we were pregnant I decided I wanted to do things right. I had a wonderful opportunity, something I had fallen in love with(I could have done it with a baby and 5 year old!), but my husband wanted to move to Denver, so I became the stay at home mom. Like you said it felt like something was missing. My sons were not seeing me do anything I loved. And don't get me wrong I love my boys. But moving here hasn't worked out for us and we are moving back. Seems like God is guiding us back. God has given me this opportunity to do something I love and to still be with my children. I was really kind of doubting going back, but now after reading your post it seems like the right direction.
Thank you!
Candace
I have been feeling like something is missing for a while now. I work FT outside of the home & do pretty much everything inside the home as my husband is a workaholic. I am unhappy at my current job, but I receive decent pay & good benefits so I am kind of stuck. I decided to go back to school to get my MBA in hopes of finding a job I love. I want to love what I do. I want to find my passion & get paid for it. I am tired of the same song & dance every single day. I have 3 kids the oldest is 12 & 3 year old twins. I don't know what the answer is but I want more than going to work & coming home. I need something to look forward to…..time goes way too fast & life feels like it is passing me by!!! I can only the answer comes to me in my dreams! Take care!
I think it's important to ask God to reveal what your talents are; what you are good at! He will reveal it to you…
How can you use this talent to bless you and others? What invigorates you? Explore different activities to find what you love, keep a journal of what you're good at and what you're not, have loved ones help reveal what they see in you, then, find out how you can use your joys and talents and make money! This can be a wonderful time of self-exploration. Take time each day to take time for yourself to explore the possibilities! This can be the just the moment you needed to give yourself permission to find your passions, follow your dreams, share it with others and be able to bless you and your family too!
God bless you…