a mother's day wish for you...

I hope that all of your days are filled with smiles and laughter and wonderful memories.  Mothering is a tough job, but the benefits are amazing as the kids grow and mature.

Lately, my job as mother has felt especially difficult in relation to one of my kids.  It is truly heart-breaking to watch a child stray and to feel as if there is nothing that can be done about it.

I am thankful that mothering is not a job that I do alone.  I have a wonderful husband and the love of my God to guide me each and every day. He will see us through.  I am sure of it.

Being a mother is a work of endurance.  Keeping up during the hard times helps to build strength and wisdom, even during those times that feel impossible.

Do you have too many dirty diapers to deal with?  A wayward teen?  A child struggling with schoolwork?

Hang in there.  You are not alone.  Seek Him...

Happy Mother's Day to all of the lovely mothers who pass this way. I hope your day is special.

Comments

[Carrie K.]

Happy Mother's Day, Randi!

[Linda]

wonderful, beautiful blog! thanks for visiting my spot. and being a mom....hang in there! i hope you find some surprising joys and hope on mother's day.

[lera]

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend, Randi.

[kirsten]

well said, randi - i hope you have a great day as well.

[Pam in Colorado]

You are a fantastic Mom. Not perfect, which is good, how could your kids strive to be "just like you" if you were perfect?!

Those that stray most often come back around and are grounded even deeper due to the struggles and hardships they have lived through and created. Hang in there my friend!

[DebD]

Happy mother's day to you too Randi. I also have a teen who is not taking his own relationship with God seriously. He's not quite "wayward", but next year he will be on his own at college. I worry, I pray and pray some more.

It's hard to let go sometimes.

[adrienne]

Happy Mother's Day to you Randi!

[Wendy]

That was a lovely post.
Happy Mother's Day Randi!

[Lei]

Whta a tender and heartfelt message (and good reminder). Thank you, and happy mother's day to you as well!

[Renna]

That was a beautiful post, Randi.

Out of your struggles with your child will come newfound wisdom. As your child is growing, so are you.

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God".~2 Corinthians 1:4

[Christine]

What a beautiful and simple post. Yes, motherhood is what teaches me every day how much I really don't know. Happy Mother's Day to you Randi!

[rohanknitter]

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

[Susie]

Hi Randi,
Sometimes our children can indeed be a bit challenging. You will look back on these times and it will all be part of lessons you both had to learn.
As I tell my own daughter, remember your own teen years. It's a time for testing limits and trying out wings. Your strong family values will always be there for them to lean on.
Happy Mother's Day!
xo

[Minnesotamom]

Thank you, Randi. I wish you a Happy Mother's Day as well.

[Thimbleanna]

Happy Mother's Day to you sweet Randi. Those straying children are a challenge -- hang in there. Have a wonderful weekend!

[jessi]

thank you Randi - I wish all the same for you - Happy Mother's Day!

[Ellen]

Thank you for those wise words, words that are a reminder of what a faithful and good and righteous God we serve. Have a Happy Mother's Day too!

[Bonnie]

This is a wonderful post ! Thanks and Happy Mother's Day to you too !

[Stacy]

Dear Randi,

Praying for you right now. For your aching heart, and for your one who is straying...

He leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one lost.

May He strengthen your heart,

~Stacy

[Marilyn]

What a beautiful post, Randi! I often can't imagine how anyone gets through life without the Lord.

[Tracy]

Happy Mother's Day, Randi!

[Kelsey Smith]

Happy Mothers Day!

[Crystal]

Keep lifting this all up to God and remember that He knows your heart's desire, not to mention that He has a plan for this child too. Happy Mother's Day!

[Jolie]

Thanks, Randi, for sharing those thoughts with us! I hope you have a blessed Mother's Day!

Love,
Jolie

[Robin]

Hello Miss Randi. :) I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

You are so correct in saying that it is heartbreaking to watch a child stray and feel as though nothing can be done about it. My oldest two sons do not live with me (heartbreaking enough) and some of the choices they have made due to the way their dad raised them just breaks my heart. And now my older son has left home, and not on good terms. I never thought I'd see the day! But, he texts me and occasionally calls me and did let me take photos of him before his prom at his Dad's house. For those things I am truly thankful. Because of I compare that to what I have to my girlies' relationship, I will crumble under the sadness. I can't do that, though. I am thankful for what I do have. With my youngest son, he 'lets' me pick him up from work each time he works to take him home to his house. This is a blessing to me. I GET to see him.

Your post on letting children bake/cook made me thankful again for being a mother of my sweet girlies.

I am so with you on having a 'perfectionist nature'. I'm one of those moms who fed my babies at their high chairs and didn't let them throw the food everywhere. I certainly wasn't going to let them cook at a very young age and then have to clean up the mess and maybe redo something, too! No WAY!

But, my sweet little Emma (she's 12 now) always wanted(s) to be near me and loved helping. I did let her and now she cooks/bakes some things better than I do! She makes entire meals and I am so amazed. Now her 'little' sister helps, too. Today we're going to make pineapple upside cake! :)

I hope your Mother's Day is absolultely Excellent!!

Hugs, Robin (whose hand just fell asleep typing this. LOL)

[Michal]

Hi Randi. I'll be praying for you and your family. I strayed for 7 years and came back. I turned out pretty good, I guess. :) God is merciful and taught me a lot. I wouldn't advise straying in order to be taught a lesson, but I just want you to know there is hope.

Blessings and big loving "it will be alright" hugs

[Robin in New Jersey]

Happy Mother's Day, Randi.

Keep the faith.

[katie]

Happy mother's day to you, too!

[Judy]

Happy Mothers Day to you too Randi.

[Valerie]

I understand what you are saying. It hurts so much when one of your children goes the other way but we have to hold on to our faith. That is all I have. I really enjoy my visits with you on your blog. Pray for me as I will pray for you.

[lissilulu]

Randi, what a wonderfully, honest post on mothering.
It is tough isnt it...mingled with the good times, endurance, our Fathers love and guidance and sometimes His kick to our hineys we seem to make it through to the precious moments when we say "this is what it's all about".
Have a wonderful Mothers Day!
Your friend,
Lori

[Oiyi]

Yes, there is nothing like being a mother. Happy Mother's Day!

[Heather Young]

Just stopping by to say have a blessed Mother's Day.

[Berlinswhimsy]

Happy Mother's Day to you! Yes, it is a difficult job sometimes but so important. I know I have some of those wayward parenting moments ahead but I also know that there are many beautiful times, too.

[Jodi]

Happy Mother's Day, Randi.

[Jill]

Mmmm...happy mother's day to you, too, Randi.

Your family is in my prayers. XO

[Pieces]

Thank you for the encouraging post, Randi. Here's a little encouragement for you. I strayed as an older teen/early 20s. The Holy Spirit would never let me be completely comfortable and wooed me back to God. He can do powerful things in the life of your loved one.

I hope that you had a lovely Mother's Day. You are a wonderful mother and an inspiration to me.

[Stacy]

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day Randi. Thanks for the encouragement, and I hope your child sets their feet on the right path soon. I have the more minor difficulties of toddler attitudes, but they definitely test my patience!