No Better Mom For The JobSample

Gratitude is the antidote for empty 

Recently a friend told me she’s been losing her joy in motherhood. “Tell me again about how we learn not to live like victims of our lives,” she asked me. We stirred our coffee, and I saw so much of myself in this beautiful mama with three littles. How she was grappling with the beauty and strife, the love and heartache born from the same source—from the hard, gritty work of day in and day out meeting the needs of the children she bore.

I told her she was normal. I’ve been there, too. And then I reminded her of the very best way I know to hold both the blessings and trials in surrendered hands—through the daily practice of giving thanks. Putting pen to paper for the sake of training our eyes and training our minds to see, savor, and count the countless gifts we’re living.

The morning rolled into afternoon, and my boys came home from school. The littlest wouldn’t nap, another one grumbled, the house was a mess, my throat hurt, and would everyone please write their spelling words and stop asking me for another snack, and for the hundredth time your feet stink so take off your socks because I can’t breathe!

I excused myself from the homework fray to make a cup of tea. Light a candle. Pray. And in doing so, I remembered the very words I spoke that morning that were again as much for me as for her.

I’ve got to keep saying it because I want to keep living it: gratitude is the antidote for empty. Thanksgiving fills you with what is really needed—more of Jesus.

I cut up an apple and delivered a cup of crisp slices to each child. I walked back into the kitchen and pulled my journal out from the bottom of a wobbly stack of kids’ art projects and bills and printed emails that needed to be followed up on.

Pen on paper. Training my heart in thanks.

Thank You, God, for these dishes, food prepared, and bellies filled. Thank You for a morning with moms I love, a sanctuary filled with laughter and tears and twinkling lights. Thanks for grace when I yell at my kid, tight hugs from little arms, forgiveness, and chances to start again.

Thank You, Jesus, for not giving up on weary mamas. Thank You for reaching into our messy days, For saving us again.

One Simple Step: Choose one to focus on today.

• Tell a friend how you’re really feeling in motherhood.

• Get a journal and write down three things you’re thankful for this week.

• When you’re feeling frustrated and frayed, stop and pray.