(painting by Mary Cassatt)"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling...It is not something you do if you can squeeze the time in, it is what God gave you time for."
One of my friends put this quote on Facebook this week and it really stuck with me. I love that I am now a full-time stay-at-home mom. And I love that while my sweet little one is in preschool and when she's napping, I get to spend my time at home painting.
I feel SO much joy in my life right now because I know that this is exactly where God wants me to be. And, as I'm learning to slow down and cherish this special time, I feel happier and more content with life. I am enjoying life and motherhood more than I ever have.
Last night, when I got in bed and was working on a sewing project, I kept smiling and giggling to myself - remembering all the cute, funny, sweet things that my daughter did that day. I find myself doing this a lot now....I'm laughing more, there is a bounce in my step that hasn't been there for a while and I go to bed looking forward to the next day. This is NEW to me! Not long ago I was exhausted, working a job I hated, stressed, grumpy, impatient with my daughter and not wanting to get up each morning and start again. I am LOVING the new change! I know this is what God wants for us in life -- to have the joy of the Lord!
I am guilty many times of feeling like motherhood is a "chore"....but I really do feel now like it IS my calling (at least one of them) and I'm SO blessed by that realization and by being able to shift things in our life to make this happen.
"Remember, the direction of your life is more important than it's speed."
My husband sent me this quote yesterday and I love it. I am so used to moving so fast through my days that I end up completely missing them. I try so hard to get so many things done (impossible things) and I wind up disappointed when it doesn't happen.
One thing I've been struggling with this last month is how to follow my dreams and passions but at a pace that works for our family. I have BIG dreams of having a successful art business, teaching, helping others discover their own creativity, writing a book, using art as a form of self-discovery and therapy, getting my masters degree, owning my own art studio, etc.... My struggle is that I want to do ALL of these things NOW. When, in reality, that's just not possible.
I am learning to take things one step at a time. It's not about how fast I get there, it's about the process...as long as I'm headed in the right direction then everything is fine and I'm happy.
And, when I think about my life, I realize that WHO I AM as a person is way more important than what I do and this is the greatest gift I can give to my daughter. To show her an example of a woman who is true to herself, living life abundantly and loving the journey!
