Becoming a Teflon Mom

7:15 AMHeather

I would like to think you noticed that there was no blog post on Thursday and Friday.  If not--humor me.  I could give you all kinds of excuses why, but think I'll just be honest and open and transparent.  I just couldn't.  I was weary and worn, bruised and battle wounded from this glorious brutality that is mothering.  On a good day, mothering is hard.  On a bad day, I've found mothering to bring me to the end of myself.  And last week was a culmination of a string of tough days capped by two REALLY epic bad days.  It shall go down in history, at least in our family.  The details aren't necessarily important (nor blog material for the sake of the innocent and not-so-innocent).  But, suffice it to say that I am not proud of how I reacted.  I got sucked into emotional outbursts and engaged--even though I know better.  I let personal attacks get to me and it might have been hard to tell who was the adult.  MAYBE.  I'm just saying.

Thankfully, Chris and I sought some Godly counsel because it takes a village to raise a parent.  And, I realized anew that I need to become a teflon mom.  I cannot let the children's attitude, anger, sarcasm, whining, bitterness and any other assortment of issues stick to me.  They have to roll right off.  I have to be gentle in my approach, full of love and compassion.  And, I have to be TOUGH.  I have to stand firm.  I cannot debate or engage.  I need to be okay with being disliked or earning the moniker of the meanest mom in the world.  I need to be able to say non-chalantly that it's totally fine if you're mad at me--but firmly and calmly RESPOND to disrespect.

This morning found me in 1 Corinthians 15:58.  Let me share with YOU, fellow mothers (and fathers), what I wrote in my prayer journal.  May you be encouraged and challenged to join me in becoming a Teflon mom.

  58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 

Therefore--because of the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (from verse 57)--dear brothers, or shall we say MOTHERS, dear and beloved mothers--stand FIRM!  From Ephesians 6:10-12, we know that standing firm means stand against the enemy's schemes and against the spiritual forces of darkness.  In other words--opposition IS coming if it's not here already.  So stand firm to NOT be moved by it.  In fact--let nothing move you--not whining, yelling, fatigue, anger or anything move you from your position.  You ARE the mom.  You ARE the authority.  You ARE the boss.  And, ALWAYS--at 5 a.m., at breakfast, at lunch, during your afternoon slump, and in the middle of the night--ALWAYS give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.  On that note, don't be fooled--that IS what this is.  The work of the Lord.  Every detail--from diaper changes to homework help--every detail is KINGDOM WORK.  It is the WORK of the Lord--every task, however mundane.  As you labor, toil and press on, KNOW--not just think or hope--but KNOW and be confident and assured that your labor, blood, sweat, tears, and even heartache are NOT in vain.  In other words, not a single bit of effort is wasted.  It's not useless and it's not unnoticed.  Even if no one else sees, acknowledges or knows--the GOD of the Universe, your Heavenly Father, your Savior and Lord notices every ounce of effort and rewards it, acknowledges it, and is pleased by it. It is NOT in vain--it will last through eternity.

And, so, sweet mothers, let us stand firm and become Teflon in this beautiful heart wrenching work that changes the world through every effort of every minute of every day! 

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