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Graciously Woven

Creatively Living and Sharing Grace

motherhood

Life Thoughts: Pep Talks

January 6, 2015 Leave a Comment

This past Sunday I had a student share with me how she didn’t want to continue in participating in the fine arts youth drama, because she felt like it was “too hard.” While I held her as she cried and did my best to encourage her, I couldn’t help but stop and cup her face in my hands. I looked her in the eyes and told her – “YOU. CAN. DO. HARD. THINGS.” Everything inside of me truly meant it as I affirmed the gifts I’ve seen in her and was surprised at how much her head and heart have been filled with this unspoken depth of doubt… she left undecided but I repeated those words to her, because they were true.

Later that evening I told Mike what happened and I mulled the words over in my head. This time last year I was prepping myself with goals for the new year and what I hoped to accomplish. I shared my one little word of stewardship in this post – truly hoping to focus and grow. As I saw others preparing their word for 2015, I really couldn’t narrow down one thing in particular. Sure I want to grow, I would love to show more grace, and be determined or disciplined in the tasks I set before myself…but it just didn’t feel right, you know? This past year really was about stewardship in my relationships, with my job, as a mother…but this year I really wasn’t sure.

2014 had many great moments, but boy was it challenging. So many hard things came throughout the year and I found myself feeling just like the student I recently was comforting – crying (sobbing many times), unsure, doubtful, and afraid to even face the things in front of me. We’ve all had seasons where it’s just hard. You wake up and it’s hard…you go to sleep and it feels even harder as you recall the events of the day. I’m not often a quitter, but I was ready. Then it clicked.

YOU. CAN. DO. HARD. THINGS.
It’s not necessarily something flashy or a mantra that I want on a shirt…but rather a reality I needed to speak and face in my own life. Some of my greatest moments have come from deep hardships and it’s easy to forget the trial when you finally get to see the victory at the end. Not every day I will feel it can be done, but the truth is it really can. Some things take time, but not everything is impossible (truthfully most things aren’t – except maybe getting Kai to stay asleep in his own bed…). So whatever your challenge or word for this year is – I hope you attach this to it. I hope you wake up and even on your most depressing day you see it can be done. 
It’s going to be a great week friend.
Previous:
Farewell 2014
Next:
Motherhood: When Things Collide

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Carmen | Truth & Grace Living
Let’s talk about shame... When the Lord started Let’s talk about shame...

When the Lord started walking me through how my approach to correcting behavior started to look more like shaming... it was humbling and convicting. 

Many times my desire to correct overrides any opportunity to understand and walk through the challenge together. 

When I yell, dismiss, or even explode at what they shouldn’t be doing - I communicate shame rather than offering wise counsel. Especially with abstract concepts that deal with the heart like lying, pride, anger...

It hit me most when I yelled at my angry child for lashing out 👀 - as I watched myself I felt the Lord nudge me with how can you correct sin while sinning? 

... oh the embarrassment, but the chance to do better.

Quieting my own self and taking it in, because conviction makes room for growth not shame. 

I’ve asked the Lord more and more to calm my voice with the intent of allowing true change as I parent. Praying my heart is bent more to seeing how God restores and transforms our behaviors to reflect true goodness. Rather than a God who shames as they see me shame them. #christinmotherhood
Mila is the mood as I sit and am so grateful for e Mila is the mood as I sit and am so grateful for each of you engaging me in this process. Thank you for being present in the messy parts too as I navigate this season. 

I continue to be so thankful for this community - and I pray I can lend a listening ear and support as much as you are to me ♥️ #beautyincommunity
“Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!! “Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!!” 😍

We have another budding reader in the house!!! I love reading and finding books that encourage our kids to enjoy the same I’m all for it!! 

Being able to find books that are not only personalized but allow my kids to see themselves in the story is even better!!! 

@lionstory.books gifted us this beautiful book all about Izaiah making a change for animals - which is his THING! 

They have a variety of stories and options to make your book special. Thanks to their team you can use code: CARMEN50 for 50% off your own book! 

Check them out parents of growing readers! We love what they’re doing ♥️ #homeschoolmama #growingreadersforlife
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and do Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

There’s power in praying our family grows in God’s word and even more as we see ways to apply it daily. I’ve come to realize there’s a spiritual home we’ve been called to build it looks like this family.

In our character, how we reflect Christ, and how we model that for our kids - even invite them to do the same.

I started working on this portrait of us and wanted to symbolize how we’re planted. When times have been their hardest - it’s been God’s word that’s sustained us. #foundationinchrist
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