May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13 NIV |
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A Mother Needs to Feel Comforted Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. It is a choice based on the knowledge that we belong to God and have found in God our refuge and our safety and that nothing, not even death, can take God away from us. ~Henri Nouwen1 It was the Friday of Mother's Day weekend and my mother was sick. Her health had taken a sudden nosedive, and though doctors had run a series of tests, no one could pinpoint the cause. My siblings and I had cried all week. My dad seemed to have aged about twenty years. No one said it out loud, but we sensed this might be the end. She was on the brink of death. While my kids were at school Friday, I stayed at the hospital. My mother was unresponsive, and as I saw how it took several nurses to change her clothes and move her limp body, my heart broke. Where was my strong, capable, determined mother? Who was this woman too helpless to take care of herself? I expected her to bounce back, to dig deep and recover like the Steel Magnolia she was, but her condition looked bleak. Besides feeling sad, I felt cheated. Losing a mother on Mother's Day weekend was a cruel irony. I wasn't sure how I'd ever get over that. Around lunchtime, my phone alarm sounded, signaling my time to leave. I had been invited to a Mother's Day Tea for my youngest daughter, Camille, who was in kindergarten at the time. Normally, I loved these teas, but this one I dreaded. I didn't feel like faking joy. My eyes were swollen, and my heart was in a vulnerable place. But as we moms do, I pushed through my feelings and made myself go. I'm so glad I did, not only for Camille's sake, but also for myself. As you might imagine, the kindergartners were running wild as I entered the classroom. They were thrilled to see their mothers and high on the anticipation of eating cupcakes after their performance. They laughed, sang, and grinned from ear to ear as they thanked us for taking care of them. The classroom overflowed with energy, youthfulness, and life —and I couldn't help but notice the striking contrast this presented to the hospital scene that I had left. CONTINUE READING ON THE BLOG ► |
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1. Henri Nouwen quotation, "Joy," Henrinouwen.org, https://bit.ly/3ipcy1U Excerpted with permission from More Than A Mom by Kari Kampakis, copyright Kari Kampakis. |
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Your Turn Even on our hardest and saddest days we can remember, "This is the day the Lord has made." (Psalm 118:24) Trusting in the Lord during trials is holy work, but the Holy Spirit will come alongside us and help. In that we will rejoice and be glad! Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. |
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Moms are humans who have needs, too! - SAVE 36% - More Than A Mom: How Prioritizing Your Wellness Helps You (and Your Family) Thrive By Kari Kampakis |
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Softcover: $18.99
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What if taking care of yourself was the first step to helping your family thrive? If you've parented long enough, then you've learned firsthand why your personal wellness matters. You've felt the pain (or consequences) of devaluing yourself. Whether your wake-up call came from a diagnosis, a breakdown, an issue with your child or spouse, anxiety, or simply feeling depleted and numb, it most likely unveiled this truth: Mothers are humans too. We require love, compassion, rest, and renewal. Taking care of our needs strengthens us and equips us for the road ahead. In More Than a Mom, bestselling author Kari Kampakis offers a practical, approachable, and attainable framework to stay on a healthy path. You can take your kids only as far as you've come–and since their strength builds on your strength, you must take time to focus on you. More Than a Mom is about unleashing God's power in your life and standing on timeless truths that will help you - know your worth and embrace your purpose,
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The world shaping your children is more callous and complex than the world that shaped you. Kids need to be stronger, smarter, and more rooted in what's real. Empower your son or daughter by tending to your heart, soul, body, and mind. Give them a vision of a healthy adult–and know that as they launch into the real world, they will build on what you started. |
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Also By Kari Kampakis, Love Her Well is now an ECPA bestseller! |
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Softcover: $18.99
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This book isn't a guide to help mothers "fix" their daughters or make them behave. Rather, it's about a mom's journey, doing the heart work and legwork necessary to love a teenager while still being a strong, steady parent. Kari explores how every relationship consists of two imperfect sinners, and teenagers gain more respect for their parents when they admit (and learn from) their mistakes, apologize, listen, give grace, and try to understand their teens' point of view. Yes, teenagers need rules and consequences, but without a connected relationship, parents may never gain a significant voice in their lives or be a safe place they long to return to. Author and blogger Kari Kampakis suggests it's time to change the narrative and mind-set that lead moms to parent teen girls with a spirit of defeat, not strength. By improving the foundation, habits, and dynamics of the relationship, mothers can connect with their teen daughters and earn a voice in their lives that allows moms to offer guidance, love, wisdom, and emotional support. |
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