Howdy! I'm Laura, the gal beyond The Ozinga Outlook. I'm a Kentucky girl raised and living in Texas. My hubby Isaac has a sweet job at NASA, and our little Man Cub is 8 months old. Honestly, we say we have 3 kids because we're pretty partial to our fur babies too. Our family motto is Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ JEsus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We've found our calling in educating those we meet about modern day slavery. We also work with an orphan prevention ministry in Zambia called Alliance for Children Everywhere, and we probably talk about what God is doing there a bit too much. It's just too fabulous not to share! We're taking our first time with us this summer, and we're so excited! Yep, the baby is coming too!
I'm so excited to be guest writing for Elise today! She gave me free reign on what I wanted to write, and it took me a while to pinpoint what was on my heart to share. As a 6th grade teacher and an educator for over 10 years, nannying for ages, and now being a mommy, kids are a passion of mine. I see so often that when a child is successful or struggling, the parents immediately get the credit or blame. And we hound the mommas or we get jealous of them. Why do we do this to each other? Oh mommas, here's my heart for you:
Momma with the new baby who can't see straight from exhaustion, I see you. Those feelings of inadequacy...they'll change. Soak up these moments. It's a lie that the days feel like years but the years feel like minutes. The days feel like minutes too. Those go so quickly! Hold on to each one. Be all there, through the exhaustion and the spit-up and the explosive diapers. Flood that tiny babe with kisses and cuddles, songs and stories. Hold him close and tell him over and over again of the goodness of Jesus.
Momma full of joy as you chase your child through times of play, I see you. Those smiles as big as dinner plates, the giggles that echo throughout the house, and the bikes parked haphazardly in the front yard. Soak it up. Revel in it, and store away those grins for later. Share that joy with others. Remind those mommas around you who are in the valley that a season of joy is coming. Encourage them. Take a meal. Babysit. Arrange a girls' night out with your hubby as babysitter for all. Drop off some groceries. Show Jesus in your season of plenty.
Momma with empty arms, I see you. I see your struggle and your pain as you ache for a time when your arms won't be empty. Babies gone too soon, babies that just won't come. It's not fair, and it's ok to remind us. Will you let your friends come alongside you? Will you let us pray for you and over you so that we too can glorify Jesus as we watch Him unfold your ashes into beauty in His time?
Momma with the rebellious 8th grader who doesn't want to do his work, I see you. That flippant attitude and poor report card grade do not reflect you. Don't believe that lie. These kids, they have to make their own choices and learn the consequences sometimes. Keep loving that wild boy, that strong-willed girl. Keep praying. Turn that child over to Jesus each day. He's listening. Talk to her teachers. They know you're doing all you can, and they're doing all they can. Overwhelm that kiddo with loving firmness. Jesus alone can fix what you can't. Rest in that.Momma with new-found freedom from discovering an empty nest, I see you. The struggle to find yourself again, the joy in not having triple the amount of laundry, the bittersweet realization that dinner is just for two tonight. Rest. Soak up the warmth of seeing your fledglings take wing. They'll come back. That lonely table will be full again, soon with littles and double the joy and laughter. Love on a younger momma. Share her joys and her fears. Allow her chicks to fill your need for chubby hands and sticky hugs.
I hope you come visit me over at The Ozinga Outlook!
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