Changed

Happy Thursday!! We've almost made it through the week... I'm blogging with Hearts at Home again this month, and the topic for May is "How has being a mom changed you?" It's crazy to me that before having kids, nearly everyone I know, myself included, has said things like 'Oh, we'll still go climbing mountains'...'we'll just take the kids with us when we go to weekend-long concerts'... 'having kids won't change how often we go out on dates'... and then BAM! along come these teeny-tiny little humans and life is never the same.

Atleast mine wasn't. I think the biggest change for me came in what kinds of messes I'm willing to live with. Pre-babies my obsessive-compulsive side came out every morning in the form of manic kitchen cleaning and house straightening. These days I am thankful to have a path cleared in the legos to walk through. I still can't tolerate actual messes (i.e. dirt or food), but I have learned to live with less than perfection. I clear those sweet piles of Strawberry Shortcakes or Batman legos in the mornings before my quiet time so that I have a place to sit my Bible and count them as blessed evidence of my littles who live here. I have much to be thankful for, and the wee ones who play with those toys are at the top of the list!

I think another way that I've changed is that I've come to realize how little I can actually do in my own strength. On Sunday I was talking with a friend after our service, and Remy & Halle come blazing through the aisle screaming like little monsters towards their dad, who was up front clearing the stage. My friend laughed, and at first I said 'whose wild children were those?!'... but then as our conversation shifted, I remarked at how I'd never survive without Jesus. I seriously would never be able to handle the crazy moments, the wild, screaming-banshee times when they act in ways that I don't understand. I'm so thankful that in being entrusted to mold and shape these little hearts, He has drawn me closer to Him. I could never lead Remy & Halle if I wasn't learning to be more like my Master myself! I reflect often on Deuteronomy 6:5-9.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart."

I love that the first command here is that I need to love the Lord and put His principles in my heart before I can ever be an example for them. I constantly pray that I am being changed by Him and His word and that I will be a model of this for my littles... That I am becoming more loving, patient, and kind. That I am gentler and peace-full. That list goes on and on.

How has being a mom changed you? You can click on the links below to read from other Hearts at Home bloggers. You're also welcome to enter your own post on the topic, we'd love to have you!