It's Monday Mamalogues!
~ let's share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood ~
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Do you ever get hit with one of those profound epiphany moments that makes you go.. woah?
I had one recently (and I wasn't even on the toilet)...
...
...
The thought: 'how one's upbringing can shape their outlook on the world'.
Do you ever catch yourself saying/doing something and think "that's just the way my mother did this"?
(The way you check your teeth in the car visor mirror.
Or, how you slice your peanut-butter sandwiches.
Maybe even how you look in the mirror and sigh..."does this make me look fat?")
This may cause you great angst, joy, sorrow, delight... depending on how you view your mama.
Sometimes it startles me how much - as a grown up albeit pretending adult - I can still be influenced by my upbringing.
Whether good or bad.
Whether good or bad.
Now, I'm not going to get all Dr. Phil on you.. but the impact of our childhood experience can have have far-reaching ramifications. (A classic example in my own life was battling that 'fear of silence' issue).
This isn't a counselling session on recognising what motivates you based on your parents role...
but a reminder of what motivates us based on our children's reliance.
What the what, Mel?
This isn't a counselling session on recognising what motivates you based on your parents role...
but a reminder of what motivates us based on our children's reliance.
What the what, Mel?
Ok, the epiphany.
So I was hearing all these women at a Bible study share how they couldn't always understand God's grace (a love that can not be earned, but freely lavishes itself) because of their upbringing.
"I knew if I disobeyed my parents, I'd be in trouble... and have to work back at getting on their good side" said one.
"I feared my parents anger" said another.
"I was abandoned at an early age" said one more.
....
In light of these backgrounds, these women were then viewing their relationship with God through that framework.
"I need to work hard enough to merit God's love".
'If I mess up, God will be angry".
"I'm not lovable".
(Which would all be a big fat pile of lies, by the way).
......................................................................
Anyway, after hearing all these women share... it struck me that we (mamas) carry such a huge responsibility/privilege to influence our children.
D'uh.
I knew before that it was a big deal, this motherhood thing.
It just never quite hit me like this... that even as adults, my kids could be viewing their relationships, their careers, even their faith... through a filter we designed.
I pray my kids will grow up with a strong framework of truth.
Knowing that they are loved. Unconditionally.
Knowing that nothing they do - or don't do - will affect that.
I want to leave a legacy of Love.
One that points to the source of Love.
It's a high calling, this motherhood thing.
mama Mel ;o)
* Any and all mamas from any and all walks of life are welcome to link up today with their own thoughts/pictures/laughs about motherhood!*
So I was hearing all these women at a Bible study share how they couldn't always understand God's grace (a love that can not be earned, but freely lavishes itself) because of their upbringing.
"I knew if I disobeyed my parents, I'd be in trouble... and have to work back at getting on their good side" said one.
"I feared my parents anger" said another.
"I was abandoned at an early age" said one more.
....
In light of these backgrounds, these women were then viewing their relationship with God through that framework.
"I need to work hard enough to merit God's love".
'If I mess up, God will be angry".
"I'm not lovable".
(Which would all be a big fat pile of lies, by the way).
......................................................................
Anyway, after hearing all these women share... it struck me that we (mamas) carry such a huge responsibility/privilege to influence our children.
D'uh.
I knew before that it was a big deal, this motherhood thing.
It just never quite hit me like this... that even as adults, my kids could be viewing their relationships, their careers, even their faith... through a filter we designed.
I pray my kids will grow up with a strong framework of truth.
Knowing that they are loved. Unconditionally.
Knowing that nothing they do - or don't do - will affect that.
I want to leave a legacy of Love.
One that points to the source of Love.
It's a high calling, this motherhood thing.
mama Mel ;o)
