“Life can’t be about being good enough, but instead, believing there is God enough.”
– Ann Voskamp
I don’t know how Ann Voskamp found me on Instagram a few years back, but boy am I grateful for her e-friendship and the thoughtful packages she sends to my front porch from time to time.
This week she blessed us with homemade bread and her new book, The Broken Way.
On page 134, she talks about how “life is less about a formula, and more about faith”. Don’t you just love that?
Near the bottom of that page she also says that “parenting is logically complicated” and “theologically enlightening“. Two months ago I probably would’ve blown right past those descriptions, but today I can’t tell you how much they resonated.
With each passing day, I discover and rediscover that “mothering is at once the hardest and the holiest and the happiest“, and that it will undoubtedly be the amazing gift and most challenging responsibility/privilege I will ever be trusted with.
So, on this Thought-Full Thursday, I’m thankful for the reminder that “Life can’t be about being good enough, but instead believing there is God enough. God enough for whatever our own humanity needs grace for”.
Thanks for this – just what I needed to hear from a sister-in-Christ 😉
Amen, Layla
I admire how you have adjusted to your new family life, you became a first time Mom of an independent, energetic young boy full of his own ideas! And you have done it with grace and so much love! Parenting is a huge job that can be the most challenging and yet most rewarding job you could ever imagine!
Layla, I have found that one of the best gifts and the one tool we have as parents is prayer. I learned this way later in this walk as a mom. I so wish I had this knowledge a long time ago. Your little guy is still small and one of the best gifts you can give him is showing him mommy and daddy praying over him.
God so often reminds me that he is the only one that can truly protect my kids. Even when they are here, I can’t protect them like God can.
Thank you Lea. After a hard morning with teenagers I needed to read that. And to pray over them more and more.
I not only pray for my children but also their future spouse…they are out there somewhere.
I don’t usually comment, but I thought I would share a book that I read recently that I LOVED. Spiritual Parenting: An Awakening for Today’s Families. One of the best I have read.
Love following your journey with your sweet boy and gorgeous home.
Layla,
That was thoughtful of Ann. I’ve had my eye on her new book since it’s announcement. I’m sure it will be as good as it seems. I agree with you and, Ann. I think you have stepped into Mothering well and, will do just fine. My son finds comfort hearing the Lord’s prayer at bedtime so my husband and, I try say it to him each night.
Take care, blessings to your family,
How sweet of Ann and what meaningful words you have written. I heard something last night at bible study that I so wish I had done when my two were growing up. Every time there is a question about how something should be, as a Mama, I wish I had said “Let us see what the Bible has to say about that.” Blessings!
“God enough for whatever our own humanity needs grace for”. Love this.
Layla,
Our sons are grown and we have granddaughter’s now. When our oldest and later youngest son had their first baby tooth to come very loose. They were a little uneasy. I explained to them that God loosens our baby teeth because they will have permanent teeth pushing out the baby teeth. They were appx. 5 years old. When their baby teeth came out they weren’t afraid because I also said their may be a little of bleeding but it would stop quickly. Well then came our Granddaughter and she was afraid of one speck of blood. I happen to be alone with her when her 1st baby tooth came out. I had told her the same story and she never cried just had a big smile on her little face. We were so proud of her. Glorified God was the reason for their understanding these facts!
So glad you and Ann are friends..and lovely to see a new book by her..who can’t be moved by how the Lord moves through her to us.
Yes..you now have joined the group of women who know exactly what you said..
Mothering is one of the most challenging, heart breaking, rejoicing , holiest, rewarding experience of our life..I could never, and still even now, need Jesus to help me to live in this role.
Sharing this awesome gift with each other makes it all the sweeter, and better, as we support one another..Iron sharpens iron…:}