Today, I was truly inspired. I have met the most inspiring and amazing women over the past couple of years through my MOPS group. MOPS is an international organization that supports and encourages "mothers of preschoolers." Today was our last day of MOPS for this spring semester and we will start back up again in August. Thankfully, there will be some summer outings so we can all stay in touch.
I have known about MOPS for what seems like forever. I started out as a volunteer probably about 5 or 6 years ago. I volunteered twice a month to watch the kiddo's while the mommy's enjoyed their 2 hour meeting. It was great knowing that I was helping mom's and I knew that I would one day want to join a MOPS group. My dear friend encouraged me to join while I was pregnant with Levi, but I wanted to wait until I was officially a mom. So, when he was 6 weeks old I went to my first meeting. It was nice, but I just wasn't ready. The meeting started at 9am and to be honest I just couldn't get out of bed to get there in time!! It doesn't help that I live almost 30 minutes away from my church where the group meets! So that year I only attended a few meetings. I didn't come back the next year for whatever reason, but decided to give it a try when Levi was soon to be two and Mallory was just born. The same friend who encouraged me before invited me back and asked me to be a part of the Steering Team that leads and plans the group. That was right up my alley. I like being involved and having a feeling of accomplishment, so to speak.
I consider that year my first real year in MOPS. Even though it was hard for me to feel connected to other mom's, I realize now that it was just happening much slower than what I was used to. I learned so much about myself as a person, as a mom, and as a daughter of Christ. I was going through so much that year and didn't realize it at the time, but the MOPS group saved me! I am so thankful to have had the people for the support, the time to meet to give me something to do, and the group for allowing me to grow and be involved.
This past year was even better. It helped that my kids were a little older and that I was more experienced as a mother. I also had grown and changed personally that God was able to use me more. Being able to serve, support, and encourage other mom's is humbling and empowering all at the same time. I never realized just how insecure I was, in many ways, and I was able to see how much God grew me and gave me confidence, too. In reviewing this past year, I am just so thankful for what he has taught me.
First, there is always another mother out there feeling the same way. Whether it's the feeling that you aren't doing the best for your kid or that you are messing up again or that you are feeling like you don't have it all together, there is someone else feeling the same way. Other mom's have funny "dumb-dumb moments," as we like to call them, too. We are able to laugh with each other and encourage each other to just keep moving ahead. Each day may not get easier, but it does get better.
Secondly, there is always room for growth. No matter where I am in life or spiritually, God always wants me to stretch and grow. I love it when the Lord does this. Gaining any blessing from God is amazing, incredibly meaningful, and humbling. Blessings of knowledge, wisdom, patience, kindness, and the ability to love others are just a few that he has revealed to me this year. Asking for patience and kindness is hard. He doesn't just give them. He gives you opportunities to use them until they become a part of you. And when you ask Him to allow you to love others, it completely rocks your world. I'm so thankful for growth.
Thirdly, I've learned that God expects me to step up my game. I don't know if this will make sense to everyone, but for me I realized that God expects more from me, but yet I'm exactly where He expects me to be. I went through a year or so where I wasn't growing or living up to my potential. I'm so thankful He never gave up on me and has given me another chance. I love that He has expectations for me and things for me to work on.
Lastly, I've learned the importance of relationships. It's something I've always known, but sometimes when you are a mom, you put everyone else before you that you forget to take care of yourself, let alone your relationships. Friendships take time and effort, among many other things. It's not going to happen overnight like it did when I was young. Which reminds me of something that happened today. I heard a little girl say to another one at the Chick-fil-A playground, "she is my best friend! What's your name?" LOL It takes more than that when you are a mother. It's almost like you go backwards socially after giving birth. Insecurities you never knew about come to the surface, you are on a totally different playing field than what you were used to and you're all alone. Men aren't mothers, grandmothers get to spoil them and send them home, and the friends you had before kids may or may not still be interested in you anymore. Working on friendships is rewarding. Building trust, respect, and loyalty don't always come quickly, but seem to come easy when it's between mom's. I'm so thankful for the friendships I've developed over the past two years. There are many people that I love dearly that are just friends, people that I may just see at the meetings or outings. And there are people who I need to see and talk to on a regular basis. Without those people I wouldn't be able to enjoy life as a mom. Because of them, and MOPS, I feel encouraged, rejuvenated, and empowered to be the best mom I can be. I may not be a perfect mom, and it may get ugly sometimes, but I am a good mom. And that is something to be proud of. And I am.
Another round on the big carousel.
