The Joy Factor, Moms, and Our Souls

Room for two or more!

We are hearing so many crazy things these days, but this one should put a smile on our faces. Currently, there is a “growing market for double strollers…reflecting a shift in American lifestyles” as reported by Gretchen Livingston, a former senior researcher at Pew Research. To add to this fact, older mothers (45+) also had the highest twin birth rates in the United States (statista.com). Life does, in fact, go on for moms whether this is a first or multiple-birth pregnancy.

   

The birth of every single baby, multiple or not, is a miracle because not only does each person born on this earth have numerous and intricate body parts, but every single person has a soul too. Unfortunately, many people never even give a thought to the fact they not only have a body to care for while on this earth but also a soul. It comprises our "total being" from the time we are born. "Each unique human soul begins at conception." Click here if you are curious: Questions Anyone? 

   

Center of Everything

So why is it so important that the human body should even have a soul? First, in Hebrew where the word soul comes from, it means "life, self, breath"--a necessary component the same as a heart. And in the Bible, Jesus says, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. . ." (Matthew 10:28 NLT). In other words, our souls cannot be destroyed. They are that important!   

Second, our soul is the center of everything--all our good and not so good decisions. Truly, it's the "integrity" center of our being and it plays a part in helping us understand truthfulness, faithfulness, goodness, and morality to name but a few. This probably sounds familiar because as single-again women we have dealt with many of these human characteristics over and over.  

Our unique soul helps us face not only the major life-sustaining determinations that can change the direction of our life, but also warns us about every silly choice, indulgence, and worthless gain before we make them. 

Sometimes (like all humans) we may ignore our internal warnings and go ahead anyway with a poor choice. This is when it's important to stop and realize how we may or may not be taking care of our soul. It's like perhaps "bruising" the soul on purpose. The soul, therefore, is affected by every choice, good or not so good. 

The Joy Factor

Now let's switch gears for a moment. Which would we rather choose as a single-again woman: joy or misery? Silly question, right? No doubt we would choose joy but, hundreds of people willingly give up what would make their lives the very best they could be and unwillingly choose the worst possible option without giving it much thought.        

For so many years as married women, we may have felt like there was just no choice available for us. And this is totally understandable. Sometimes with a serious and worse yet, dangerous situation in addition to no support from others, decisions seem impossible and lonely. 

Nothing better than peace

Now we can understand by the discussion in today's blog that no matter what happened in the past or exactly when our souls are still intact! They belong to only us and God. We made reasonable decisions to get to where we are right now, and nothing and no one can separate us from God's love--ever! 

God Is There for Each One of Us, Especially Now

In the coming days, weeks and months, women will continue to have their babies even through this health crisis. But it is a new norm. Hospitals may not be able to keep a new mom for as long as they would like but instead send them and their baby(ies) home for safety. And family may not be able to travel to support the mom. So, let’s help each other the best we can manage. There is always something we can do for our neighbors.

Remember, regardless what’s going on in this world, God holds our soul in His hand and now you can make it on your own with His blessings of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT). It's the JOY FACTOR! Hallelujah! Amen.  

     

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" (Matthew 16:26 NLT).

What Is Holding You Back Right Now?

Happy Colorful Balloons

When we were kids, many of us loved big colorful balloons, especially for our birthdays or other occasions. Some of us adults, still do because they simply make us happy just to look at them and their big bright colors. 

Of course, there are people that really dislike balloons of any kind. Maybe because balloons can be noisy if they POP! and surprise us. Or perhaps they have had a bad episode involving a balloon that reminds them of a scary or dangerous time in their past. Just the loud sound when they burst can trigger nervousness in us and make us jump. That's understandable.

There is a story of a little boy, named Karan, and his friends playing with their balloons each of a different color. They wanted to see whose balloon would fly the highest. Karan believed it had to do with the color of the balloon but his balloon never traveled the highest no matter what color he picked. 

"Karan asked the balloon seller, 'Tell me please, which balloon will go the highest in the sky? Is it the red, the yellow, the green or the blue one?'” The merchant explained it had nothing to do with the color but what it contained. To read the entire short story, click on the following link: Highest Balloon

How High?
What does that story have to do with us and our situation today? The author of the above story explains: "How high a person will rise in life depends not on his caste, colour or creed, but on his thoughts, confidence, values, and character."    

That is a great life lesson for us to remember. After all, we have been given another chance at life. It may not feel that way at this moment, but if we work at it, and don't give up, we will eventually see what lies ahead can be very good, indeed. We have an opportunity now to create momentum in our lives and change whatever we don't like.

Business Start-Up

There really is nothing we can't accomplish. But it takes determination and a clear head. How many times have you said, "I wish I could. . ." So, what is holding you back right now? 

Do you hate not having a college degree? There is no age limit on a college application. If that is too scary, start small at a community college. If that isn't what you want or it isn't important right now for you, that's okay. 

Do you want to start your own business? Look into how to do that the right way. Click on this link to learn more: Small Business  

Do you simply want to stay home with your kids? That's great, but don't hibernate; join a mom's group in your neighborhood or even online. Click on this link and be the best mom possible: Moms Are the Best

You Get the Idea! 
Once you start on this exciting track, you'll be amazed at what can happen. But don't forget to check in with your Teacher. He has the perfect plan for you. Find out what God wants you to do and ask for his guidance. He will never let you down, not ever. Just talk to him like a friend. You'll see!

"So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants" (Ephesians 5:15-17 MSG).

Special Moms' Day Edition

Mothers around the world sing nursery rhymes and read childhood stories to their children over and over. It’s comforting not only to our child but to us moms when we see the sparkling eyes of our child gazing up as he/she listens attentively to Mom’s voice. Sometimes if we play-act the sounds, this alone will quiet a restless one. This nightly habit is the first lesson we can teach our child in establishing a “quiet” time that can be used for a lifetime.  

Of all the many children's books in print, The Little Golden Books can still be found in most homes and these stories are remembered well into adulthood. Who doesn’t still enjoy with fond memories The Poky Little Puppy series, The Fire Engine Book, The Hug Book, or Richard Scarry’s Colors? Seventy-six years ago when they first began publishing these books, they only cost 25 cents!

Likewise, there are Five Star selections for our babies, toddlers, and beyond such as God Bless You and Good Night, I Prayed For You, Baby’s First Bible Stories, and The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible. All are excellent ways to bond with our children and grandchildren and are the most purchased books for kids. As God instructs parents, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)

Mothers Deserve a Break

It’s certainly not easy, especially for first-time moms, to know what to do to raise a child who values others and has confidence in their own gifts and abilities. We can only do our best with what we have. In celebrating Mother’s Day, we can relax in the fact that God has given us a special gift to hold in our arms forever.

We won’t always be able to protect our children and guard them as they get older. We can’t be with them twenty-four hours a day, so it’s okay to drop the “guilt trip.” They will most certainly grow and be off on their own one day. First during all the school years, and then into adulthood and their own family. We can only continue doing our best, listen to them, and support their ideas and ambitions.

What they learn as a young child, good or not-so-good, will affect their personality and become part of who they are forever. An excellent child development website called Facts for Life says,

“The first five years of a child's life are fundamentally important. They are the foundation that shapes children's future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community, and in life in general.”

For further information about this site CLICK HERE:

Teach Them Right

This site is just an example of the many that can give us numerous ways to be the best moms possible. We simply can’t know every single thing without educating ourselves. So, never give up! Our children are worth it. [Note: Fresh Start Momentum does not promote, endorse, or receive any compensation for suggesting a particular website].

One Last Thing

We can do every single thing we can think of to raise the most well-developed child and still, as an adult, they may go their own way and not pay attention to all that we taught them. We know ourselves that we didn’t necessarily take the wise advice of our own parents either, but instead did what we wanted. And that decision may have worked out for us and, then again, it may not have been our best choice.

The verse above from Proverbs 22:6 is not a mistake. It does say our child “will not turn from it” (our direction), but yet, some do. Just know, that at some time in the future--and it may be a very, very long time away--in the back of their minds, our grown child will come to recognize that the Lord, who is all-powerful, was, in fact, guiding our hand in raising them. They will then choose their own path in being the best parent they can be with the Lord’s help.

We will not keep them [stories] from our children; we will tell those who come later about the praises of the LORD. We will tell about his power and the miracles he has done. Psalm 78:4 (NCV)

Happy Mother's Day to each one of you!