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Most of this joy for me has come through service. By putting the needs of my husband and cherubs first in many situations I have had my heart filled in ways I did not expect as I served and cared for them. Ask any mother who has had a sick child and has stayed up late at night to care and watch over them, they will tell you it is exhausting but rewarding at the same time. It is a heartfelt work serving out families.
By doing little things for my family, by going out of my way to help them, by making them feel loved and important I have found that I am the one who is rewarded the most. By serving them I have felt a sweetness come into my life. A love that has embedded itself deep within my heart from doing basic acts for them.
Cooking meals, making beds, washing clothes are all acts of love and service that have helped me think of how much I love them. I do have days just like everyone else where being a stay at home mum gets depressing, boring and exhausting and I want to escape, break free from it all and change my routine and schedule. Generally though, I know that being a mother and staying at home is a great work, that my role has value and worth.
Having many children allows me to serve in many different ways. Each child has their own needs, challenges, feelings and dreams. At times I feel I am stretched to my limit, that I can't keep up but I also know that it is stretching me, teaching me and giving me more skills and talents as a woman and a mother.
When I reflect back on the lessons I have learned my heart is softened and a happiness shines there. I know I could not have learned those lessons in any other way. For that I am truly thankful. My heart is full.
What have you found in your journey?
Does serving and helping others bring you happiness?
P.S * I am blogger of the week over at Time out for Women and I am writing about:
Take Me As I Am. Pop on over and check it out!
You have put this forward in such a positive and uplifting way Naomi, it is exactly what I needed to think about right now, so thank you. xx
ReplyDeleteWhen I wash clothes I feel less than love for my family. I need some of your attitude.
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ReplyDeleteThanks ladies, Mrs. Woog you need to come and try my washing for a day and I am sure when you get home your washing won't seem so bad! N x
ReplyDeleteI need a dose of you too! Love your cheer.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep this attitude too - it gets hard some days ...right now I am off to do our 4 days of washing, including muddy & dirty stuff because it poured rain and my cherubs climbed trees and played with rope in puddles. Wish me luck.
ReplyDeleteMrs Woog will run when she sees your washing. I have seen Tiff @ three ring circus with her tribe of 7 plus 2 parents ... I go home very glad indeed.
Thanks for sharing .... I love this post. I have learnt through serving others that we grow as individuals. I understand why the saviour asked us to serve others. We learn more by serving others than in any other way .... we learn lessons that we could not otherwise learn.
ReplyDeletebeautiful post Naomi x
ReplyDeleteIt is so true but was not expected prior to becoming a mother; it changes you as much as you input and influence your children's lives. You could call it two-way learning.
ReplyDeleteNaomi, I am so far from this attitude that it's practically parody. I might have to do my own post to get out what is in my head when I read this. I am guilty (your family is very, very, very lucky) and a little bit horrified (because even though I know it's the only way, I still can't help but feel robbed). I'll let you know if I do a post! x
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