Wake Up Call

When going to hotels in my life, the front desk would always ask, "Would you like a wake up call?" There were a few times when I was little, my grandparents would accept and say yes. The hotel phone (which is rather annoying) would ring at promptly 6:15 a.m. 5 minutes later I was being shaken by my grandmother to wake up. Apparently I would fall back asleep after the wake up call. It took a few tries when I was little to really wake me up. Let's face it, who wants to wake up at 6:15 a.m. while on vacation?

2013 was a year of wake up calls in my motherhood. I experienced trials with my children that I never thought I would experience. God used those experiences to wake me up to what I was missing. I was missing the little moments in my kids lives that are big moments to them. God used those experiences to wake me up and make me see that I need to appreciate every moment when my kids are this little because I will never get this time back with them.

The picture below is of Landon a year ago. It was the day before he got released from Kentucky Children's Hospital. We were so thrilled that he was moved to a regular hospital room. Shortly after this picture was taken, he got his feeding tube out and I was able to feed him with a bottle. That night I was back on duty with night time feedings. Some moms by this point with their newborns are so tired but I was thrilled to be able to feed him at night again. After he was home, I did not complain about waking in the middle of the night to feed him. In fact, I would sit and rock him long after he was done with his feedings in the middle of the night. I know a lot of moms who currently have a newborn or are getting ready to have a baby. Please, don't take any moment for granted, including those night time feedings and even the moments when your newborn is crying for no reason and may just want you to hold him/her. It took my baby being in the hospital for 23 days for me to realize that every moment is precious.

I needed to write this blog to remind myself again that every moment is precious with my kids, even when they are cranky or throwing temper tantrums. I may be tired a lot because hey I do have two active boys. This time with my kids, I will never get back. No matter how tired I am, I choose to enjoy every moment. I choose to show them joy and gentleness instead of a frustrated and tired mother. I know I can't do it on my own. I need someone bigger than me to help me. I need Jesus. I need Him everyday. I need Him in my friendships. In my community. In my marriage. In the way I mother. Without Jesus, I would be very lost. He helps me to be a better friend, wife, and mother.

Motherhood is amazing, even in the trials we face with motherhood. We have a God who is bigger than those trials to turn to for a quick prayer during a night time feeding or temper tantrum and ask for strength. My realization that every moment is precious came with a lot of prayer for strength, patience, and for God to open my eyes. When things seem to be rough on your journey of motherhood, remember God is there and He longs to help us through this journey of motherhood. 

These verses fit perfectly: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:4-7.

I know God will continue to give me wake up calls for things I need to work on in my life. I will take these wake up calls and let to continue to transform my life.

Landon: one year ago today. An experience that changed me for the better.