This week the lovely Beth Stiff is joining us to encourage our hearts and point us to the One who made those hearts. I met Beth through Holly Barrett (thank you Holly) and the Three Word Wednesday link-up that she hosts weekly. We’d love to have you join the link-up! Beth is blogging her way through the Love Dare and is doing a fantastic job spurring us on to be better wives. I am glad she is sharing with us today about one of my favorite books.
“A mother continues to labor long after the baby is born” (Lisa-Jo Baker, Surprised by Motherhood, pg. 8).
My husband and I are parents to two boys who are 24 and 22 years old. The first twenty years of our marriage did not include God. Until four years ago, we relied on our own strength to be parents to these boys of ours.
Our own strength failed them miserably. They watched their parents go through emotional abuse, addictions, affairs and two separations. In my eyes, we were the worst parents ever and had set our children on a similar path toward no good.
God’s amazing grace rescued our family of four. He gave us a reason to have hope. Hope for better. I can now look back at the brokenness and see how God takes our messes and makes something beautiful.
“He led me out of my heartache and into a season of redemption and beauty” (pg. 100).
God gave me a precious gift when He chose me to be the mother of these two boys. They are a gift which daily reminds me to trust in Him. Twenty years without Him taught me I can’t do this motherhood thing well without Him.
I’ve often said becoming a military family led us to God. And it did. Being a mother strengthens my faith in Him.
The biggest surprise of motherhood is discovering it has absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him.
When God began to take first place in our lives hearts were transformed. The ugly became beautiful. Gratitude took the place of selfishness. Instead of darkness we have joy…even when the storms of life come our way. My eyes and heart are now opened to the daily graces of motherhood. The mundane moments are some of life’s greatest blessings. Moments such as seeing my two boys enjoy an evening together.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
I once was lost on the journey of being a mother, but His grace found me.
Was blind, but now I see.
Good and not so good seasons come with watching my children grow into adults. I try hard to see them all. And I cherish them. I embrace them. I see how God wastes nothing in their lives too. Just like me, a day will come when they will see His graces and they will believe. May His grace lead us all home.
Yes, I’m surprised by God. I’m surprised by how the moment I believed He took me on a journey of pouring more of Himself into my life. “Because when we least expect it or want it, God is always pouring more of His own life into our lives, and we need to open both arms wide if we want to even begin to try to hold it all” (pg. 189).
The journey of being a mother can be difficult at times but with more of God the graces overflow. My journey continues on. Surprised by motherhood? My cup runneth over.
To my husband, thank you for being the one I take this journey with.
To my children, you are our greatest blessing.
To God, thank you for how you make everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). You really do make all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Thank you for new eyes to see the beauty of motherhood.
With love,
Beth
Katie-I was so excited to see Beth here today. Thank you!
Beth- I ,ove your openness about your journey and willingness to share mom moments from a perspective that matches mine-one with grown kids. May God’s grace lead us all home! Blessings!
Thank you, Mary, for your kind words. I really do love that we never stop being a mom to our adult children. You are a blessing to me, friend. Much love. xoxo
♥♥♥ loved this. So many things written here that hit home for me. Especially – “we relied on our own strength to be parents to these boys of ours. Our own strength failed them miserably” – US TOO!!! Thank you Katie for sharing Beth!! And Beth- thank you for your candidness!! Looking forward to reading more.!!
Thank you, Michelle. It’s a delight to have connected with you and I look forward to getting to know you. Blessings.
I loved reading more about you, Beth and how God’s amazing grace has worked in your life and how you have been growing and surrendering. Keep pressing on!
Thank you, Katie, for hoisting this series. You are a sweet blessing!
Thank you, sweet friend. I appreciate you. Your kind words always bless. Much love. xoxo
Beth just continues to be one of my favorite online friends. Writings like this are exactly why.
Just love ya, girl! And thanks, Katie, for this opportunity to get to know you a bit more …
Wonderful Wednesday blessings to you both …
;-}
You know I just adore you, right? I got a teary eyed over your comments. Thank you, Linda. I love you too. xoxo
“Simply Beth” is so much more! What a wonderful testimony of God’s grace and goodness.
You are so sweet, Susan. Thank you for your kindness. I am so glad we’ve connected in this online world. Blessings. xoxo
You are touching many lives by the telling of your life story. You are beautiful inside and out. Blessed each day by you.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Alecia. I am still bummed that we will miss meeting one another by one day but so excited for you to be moving back home. Safe travels to you, friend. Keeping you in my prayers. xoxo
Oh, sometimes it’s so hard to remember that God loves our children more than we do–but he does. It’s also hard not to get into the blame game when our children become young adults and we see them struggling (if only I had been a better mom, if only I had done this differently). But once again, God loves us and works through us despite ourselves!
Anita, so true. Hard to remember but so comforting when we do. I’m grateful for the work God is doing in my to no longer blame but to see the beauty of where He has brought us. God is good. Blessings to you.
Beautiful.
Thank you, sweet friend.
Beth,
The closer in our walk we get, the more I see your inner soul, the more I know why God brought us together.
Love,
Heather
You are a blessing to me, Heather. Thank you so much for your love and encouragement. xoxo
Beth- always a pleasure reading your words! Our family also came to know Christ intimately about 4 years ago – funny how big our world seems until He leads to right where we were supposed to be!
Thank you, Shannon. Such true words. Thanks for stopping by and sharing today. Blessings. xoxo
Beth, you shine so bright. Love you. Heart Hugs <3
Love you so much, Shelly.
Thank you ladies for following Beth over here.:) What a blessing to host this great gal. Thank you Beth for opening your heart so that we can get to know you better and also have the courage to open our hearts. As we share our stories and point to Jesus, we join hands to give Him glory. So thankful for the amazing grace on display in all our lives.:)
Thank you, Katie for letting me share in your beautiful place here. I hope an opportunity to meet I real life is in Gods plans for us. Love you.
As a mom with 2.5 out of the nest and 2.5 in the nest – Lisa-Jo’s book caught me on both sides – that my boys will one day vintage their memories maybe like she does – and find grace in them – and how to not give up on the mothering now! Beautiful post, Beth, on how God redeems our relationships – as a mom of sons – I need to hear that!
Thank you for stopping by friend and for sharing. Our God is a redeemer! I for one am forever grateful and pray for my boys to accept His love. Blessings.
Beth, thank you for sharing your beautiful story of life, motherhood, and God’s amazing grace. May His grace lead us all home. Amen, Beth! Great photos too. Blessings, friend!
Amen!! Thank you for stopping by Julie.so grateful to call you friend. Blessings.
I love these stories of redemption because, and this is the theme that has been repeatedly running through the stories and posts I have been reading- God uses whatever we go through like fertilizer. It makes us bloom and grow, no matter how stinky and messy our lives are! Great testimony, Beth! Thank you! patsy
I just love the way you said all of that, Patsy. Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing. Blessings.