We are visiting the Smoky Mountains right now. Let me tell ya, when you get out of the surrounding towns the scenery is simply beautiful. The mountains have always been my happy place. The LORD is an amazing and awesome Creator, isn’t He?
Today we traveled along the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. Besides spotting three black bears one of the highlights of the drive was the climb. The overlooks were spectacular!
Hills and Valleys
While surveying the mountains and valleys I couldn’t help but think about how there is a whole lot of climbing and a whole lot of falling throughout the journey of motherhood. Sometimes we think we are chugging right along, and then bam. We start to descend into a valley. Sometimes the valleys are long and wide and deep and we don’t know what to do next. I’ve hit those valleys. They seem especially difficult to navigate with each new parenting milestone I reach. I hate to say it, but my oldest kids have been total guinea pigs more than a time or two. (Sorry dears.)
I know I talk about this an awful lot, but the only way to start climbing and to make progress again as a mother is to rely fully on the LORD. He is our Rock, and He is so good to set our feet on solid ground when we slip backwards.
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Read: The Joy of Being a Stay at Home Mom
When the Valleys are Long
Sometimes it may seem like we remain in the valleys longer than necessary. At times like these, I might cry out, “Why God?” But I’ve realized that often when when my valley seems never ending there usually is a lesson that I need to learn. The LORD sometimes teaches us lessons through tough times. Through valleys. These times are usually when we give up, and realize that we must give up control.
Learning to Surrender
Once we utterly surrender things often begin to look up! The LORD will carry us, but we need to come to the end of ourselves. When we seek only God’s ways our parenting will improve. The relationships with our children will improve. But we must be firmly be planted on the Rock of our Savior and on His Word for this to happen.
Read: How Rest Can Redeem Our Homes
There is hope for us, mamas. When we cling to God and take each day step by step, the view is beautiful. We will begin to reach new heights with His help, and with His help alone.
My 31 Day Journey to finding rest in the Lord can be found on Amazon.
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Loooove this!
Thanks Magan!☺️
I really needed to hear this. I’m going through some major battles right now & I’ve found myself asking God the same question.
Hope y’all enjoyed your stay in the Smokies. We will be heading there next weekend. Definitely one of my favorite places to visit. Cades Cove is a beautiful part of the Smokies. I hope y’all got to experience the beauty there.
Blessings, mama. I hope you have a great time! We didn’t make it to Cades Cove this time around but we did visit Newfound Gap, the Roaring Fork Nature Trail and a waterfall near one of the Visitor’s Centers. The Smoky Mountains are beautiful!
The Lord truly is an amazing and awesome creator! I love the valley metaphor you use here. Motherhood truly is as you describe and it is essential to rely on God to guide and help us. My son is now twenty-five and has flown the nest, but I still find this to be true! Thank you so much for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you are enjoying the long weekend!
Thank you April! I hope you are enjoying your long weekend as well.
Surrendering is so tough, but it often is the key to start turning things around. I was reading just this morning in another book about surrendering, so this is confirmation that the Lord definitely wants me to look at it even more. Thanks!
Thanks for your encouragement, Lisa!