I’ve kept my daughter alive and well for half a year now. Though it’s only been six months, I’ve never felt like I’ve accomplished something greater in my life.
Being a mother is hard. I feel like kind-hearted people tried to warm me, but pregnancy just sends you into a state of baby bliss, which is a blessing in disguise for what’s to come. The first 3 months was pure survival mode. My daughter, Olive, got all of her crying out in those first few months. I was not prepared for all of the crying, and it felt like I was actually going crazy. Once we found out she had a dairy sensitivity when she was three months old, and I completely eliminated it from my diet, all three of our lives changed. She become happy, and my husband and I finally got some rest.
Whether it’s a food sensitivity, colic, or just a plain old stubborn baby, I’ve found that every mom needs three things to survive this whole motherhood thing: community, an outlet, and devotion.
Community
One of my favorite podcasts is God-Centered Mom. No matter where you are in motherhood, you need to check it out! Episode 185’s title was “Don’t Mom Alone”. My head was shaking yes throughout that entire episode. I’m blessed to be able to stay at home with my baby, but some days feel incredibly lonely. I miss my work community and getting myself ready to go somewhere everyday. I would absolutely not have it any other way, but I’ve learned that no matter where my “work” is, I need a group of like-minded people to build me up and have meaningful, adult conversations with.
Whether it’s a Bible study, book club, fitness class, or small group, invest in those friendships. I need to do this better. I find that my heart craves community, and the times that I do get to be around other moms, I don’t feel so alone in this journey. I believe God gives us that craving because He knows we need it now more than ever.
Outlet
Motherhood consumes me some days. I find myself lost in thoughts of what my daughter needs or doesn’t need. Are puffs bad? Will she be allergic to the broccoli I’m about to feed her? Is she swallowing too much bath water? Am I the only mom who has these crazy thoughts? Please, tell me I’m not alone here.
With this all-consuming task of being a mother, I need a space of my own every once in a while. For me, it’s blogging, home projects, and DIYs. For others, it can be working out, reading, sewing, gardening, volunteering, writing…there are so many options! Having an outlet allows me to take an hour or two out of my day to get my mind on something other than my daughter. When Olive naps, it would be easy to just sit and watch TV or scroll through social media, and some days I do. Having something outside of mothering strengthens my mind and keeps me in tune with my skills and other adults as well. This space has given me a break, and every mother NEEDS a break!
Devotion
The one thing that motherhood has taught me is that I cannot control every situation. The fact that I can’t control what happens to my family, whether good or bad, is the one thing that causes me the most anxiety. Taking time out of my mornings or evenings to study the Word and spend time with the Lord gives me the most peace. I give those struggles to God to handle like He says he will (1 Peter 5:7). Motherhood is too big of a task to do alone. If it teaches us anything, it’s to rely on God.
I was given this Bible to review for B&H Publishing by FrontGate Media. While I was given the Bible for free all thoughts and opinions are my own.
My favorite version of the Bible to use is the new Christian Standard Version by She Reads Truth. It’s formatted in a way that makes it easy to study. There are several different reading plans and devotionals throughout the Bible and beautiful illustrations at the beginning of each text. There’s also ample space in the margins to Bible journal.
The best feature are the reading plans at the beginning of each book. It not only guides you through the book, but it also gives you references to go deeper.
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The Bible features beautiful maps, easy-to-follow timelines, and in-depth topical studies. This video gives you a deeper glimpse of this gorgeous book.
What are you essentials to survive this whole motherhood journey? I’d love to hear from moms who’ve been doing it much longer than me. Let me know in the comments below!
Click on the link above to enter to win the She Reads Truth Bible.
