A Mother's Heart: Stephanie

I tend to be someone who likes order, lists, and control. There are a lot of things in my life that I try to control. While my husband would likely argue otherwise, these efforts are an attempt to bring peace to my life. I can only imagine the control complex I would develop with five kids. (Although I'd happily welcome five littles!) 

Enter Stephanie, mother of five and a remarkably calm and collected woman. I don't exactly remember when I first met her, but I've known her for a few years now. It's likely I met her husband or children first. You see, her entire family is comprised of servants. Whether they are setting up at church, teaching a children's class, bringing a meal to a family, or simply giving a welcomed hug, this family is one that cheerfully gives. Gosh, I can go on and on about this family! What I love most about Stephanie is her desire to encourage young mothers. Today, A Mother's Heart series continues as Stephanie shares the secret to the source of her strength.

Isaiah 30:15-16 (MSG) "Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me."

It seems to me that nothing has pulled my heart closer to the Lord than giving birth and becoming a mom. When each child was born, I can remember sitting there holding them in the quiet of the early morning and having God fill me with such overwhelming love that it was difficult to put into words. I know now that this was a taste of His love for me as well as each of His children. Thus began my journey of completely depending on Jesus for everything. Literally, everything.

Some call that "fanatic". Some call that "unrealistic". But I have learned that if we are willing to let go of control, He will turn anything around in our favor. Perhaps it's a child who maybe seems beyond my control, symptoms for which I can't seem to find a remedy, laying down the plan I had for my life and accepting His, paying bills when the bank said there were insufficient funds, or not nagging my husband when I see changes that he should make-ouch!

I have learned that, yes, God cares about these things, but they are nothing if He doesn't have my heart. When I quiet myself in His presence and let Him love me, suddenly there is strength I never knew. Suddenly the answer doesn't seem so far off and unimagineable. Suddenly there is strength for the task, and I realize what He is after; He wants me to totally trust Him for absolutely everything, whether small or large!

Whatever you are facing today, I would encourage you to abandon yourself to Jesus. Give Him the opportunity to really get involved in what you are going through. He will never fail you.

A Mother's Heart: Sarah

My first real interaction with Sarah, and her husband Derek, came in the form of marriage counseling. Chad and I wanted to walk through marriage preparation with a couple who didn't know us at all. It was our hope that the unfamiliarity with our relationship would provide objective counsel as we prepared for walking through life together. That was nearly five years ago. Since those evenings spent on their sofa in deep discussion, Sarah and Derek have been our pastors, but most importantly our friends. Sarah and Derek are the pastors at River Church Charlotte and have two beautiful girls, Caroline, 16 and one of our treasured babysitters, and Kate, 7. 

I'm excited to start this series with a word from Sarah's heart on being a mother.

Proverbs says that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue". That's huge! We actually have the power to speak life or death over those around us. As a mom, it is so tempting to speak what I see in my children, but the Lord has been dealing with me lately about calling out the good in each of them.

Rather than constantly correcting bad behavior, it is vital that we catch our children doing something right and bring that to their attention. For example, I have been struck with what I Corinthians 13 says about love not being self-seeking. So when I see my children being selfish, I remind them that love is not self-seeking and because the love of God is shed abroad in their hearts, they need to tap into that love. I don't want my girls to identify who they are with the behavior they may be exhibiting at the moment. Yes, at that moment, you were acting selfish, but that is not who you are in Christ. 

As moms, let's encourage our children to discover who they are in Christ, and before long their behavior will reflect that. It takes time, but the harvest is well worth it. Speak life over your children. Call out what you want to see in them and watch it become a reality.

You can follow Sarah at Sleeping with the Pastor. You'll be glad you did.

A Mother's Heart

It's been a couple weeks now, but thank you so much for all of the kind words and well wishes on our big news! 

Now, let's talk life with two wee ones. When we shared the news that we were expecting again with my parents, my mom's first reaction was "Boy, you're going to be busy!" My family isn't known for lavish emotional displays, but not exactly the moment I had envisioned. (Love you, mom.)

The truth is that I will be busy. What mother isn't'? In efforts to see what exactly will be in store for me once our second babe arrives, I turned to the place all inquiring minds go: Google. (Sad, but true.) "Two babies", "tips for two babies", "shared nurseries", "balancing life with two under two". Granted my search engine skills are weak, but nothing useful appeared unless I'm carrying twins. 

Out of part frustration and part epiphany, I did what I should have done in the first place. I turned to mothers of two or more, mothers who love their families deep and well, mothers who instruct their littles in the ways of the Lord, mothers who wear many hats and wear them well, mothers who are well acquainted with the weight of the world but still walk in grace, mothers who I respect and admire, mothers who agreed to share their advice for life with two or more littles with Yankee Belle. For the sake of transparency, their stories are not what I expected, a tactical guide to raising children. They are better. Their stories are a reminder of such a simple, but profound truth: in all pursuits, motherhood not the least of these, look to Him. 

I am so excited to bring you their stories! For the next few weeks, beginning today, Yankee Belle will feature a different mother's story and heart for her family. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!