I am a ‘never stops moving’ sort of person. If you do find me sitting down, I’m probably knitting. I even knit while I am homeschooling my kids. Knitting or a really good book are for the most part the only things that make being still appealing to me (the big exception being snuggling a newborn. I can totally do that too.) So of course, that is the mom that my kids know: high energy, up and about mom. However, for the past month or so I’ve been pretty much knocked down, unable to do much at all. This is hard on all of us. Previous pregnancies have had their share of aches and pains, but I was always able to sort of push through it somehow. The problems I’m having this time around can’t be ignored or dealt with in the same way. I’ve learned to measure my steps carefully, because if I take too many I end up becoming a crying mess over the pain which isn’t good for me or anyone else in my family. I’m not going to pretend that I’m handling this in a consistently graceful fashion. Things often feel chaotic and out of control and I pretty much hate those feelings.
Last week we had a day that ended with Beatrix deciding that she was going to work in opposition to everything I asked. Generally speaking she is a very strong willed little girl so I am accustomed to her ways, but this was extreme. We were at the end of a day that had been particularly difficult for me, and evidently it was affecting her as well. She was determined to make a giant mess, and I quickly became very frustrated and did not handle things well at all. I couldn’t think clearly enough to recognize that my current state is proving to be very hard on her and her behavior was a result of that. I was having a hard time seeing beyond my own pain to hers. She went to bed crying that night and my heart was broken over the whole situation.
There is a danger in letting myself sink too deeply into thoughts revolving around how I feel and how hard this is. Typically that makes me feel worse. Of course I must take care of myself, but if I can find small ways to continue to meet the needs of my little ones I am ultimately going to be happier and so are they. On that rough evening, once Beatrix was asleep, I really wanted to sit down and knit while I collected myself. But I knew that the key to turning things around with her was in my finding some ways to creatively meet her needs and spend more time with her. So that night, rather than knitting, I sat down at the kitchen table and planned out some simple activities. I vowed to make sure to give Bea special attention the following day and to do my best to continue to do so in the weeks to come before the baby is born.
I was still feeling a little sad when I crawled into bed that night, and looking for encouragement I pulled my familiar copy of Small Steps for Catholic Moms off my bedside table, turned to the day’s meditation, and this is what I read:
Think :: “The great danger for family life, in the midst of any society whose idols are pleasure, comfort, and independence, lies in the fact that people close their hearts and become selfish.”
Pray :: Dear God, make me keenly aware of the needs of others today. Use me as your instrument to meet those needs.
Act :: The first time you want to take some “me” time today, turn your attention instead to the neediest member of your family. Open your heart wide to her needs and pour yourself into meeting them.
And those small prompts gave me just the positive reinforcement that I needed. I went to sleep feeling good about my plan for the following day. The next morning when I woke up I called Beatrix into my room and she crawled in bed next to me, obviously still a little upset. We talked for a few moments before beginning our day, a day that included extra reading time along with a couple of simple crafts. I’ve been more mindful of her needs ever since, and it has made all the difference for both of us.
Small Steps for Catholic Moms, written by Danielle Bean and my dear friend, Elizabeth Foss, has been a source of inspiration to me for nearly three years now. It gently encourages spiritual growth without overwhelming. For each day of the year there is a brief meditation in the form of scripture or a quote, in addition to a prayer and a gentle suggestion to act on. It only takes a few moments to read each day, and then it’s up to you to use it to fit your needs. You can pick it up every day, or once a week. This book is truly a gift. Small Steps has just been republished, and as part of a blog tour being hosted by CatholicMom.com I have two copies to give away today. I am so glad to have this opportunity to share the gift with you! If you would like a copy, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll randomly select two winners on Friday so that I can get the books in the mail this weekend. Comments are remaining open on this post, however the winners have already been selected and notified. (And because I’ve been asked before, no, you don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy this book!)
If you’re interested in winning a complete set of the CatholicMom.com books (including Small Steps) be sure to check out the “Five Minutes Alone” contest going on right now. Share the funniest way you grab five minutes alone in order to be entered to win.
The two winners of the Small Steps for Catholic Moms books are:
“Wow, thanks for the chance to win! I’m thinking of you during the last few weeks of pregnancy. I’m been struggling for a few weeks with my two (only two and I’m not pregnant!), and this book looks really good to me right now. I am Catholic (but attending a Presbyterian church right now), and love connecting with you when you post about your faith.
Peace,
Megan”
and
Rosemary: “Thank you for this giveaway … this book sounds like a treasure.”
I would love a copy of this book!
It seems like God has a funny sense of humor lately. I have been aching for something to help me out of my mood. It has been so long since this feeling has settle on our home that it has become the norm.
I too have done the same exact thing this week to both of my children and I am not pregnant.
God has been speaking to me through many vehicles lately.
Thank you for being one of them
God Bless you and your family.
This may be just the thing I need to help me through a difficult relationship with my step-daughter. Thanks for the chance to win!
Would love to win this for my sister – mommy to 8 joys!
Thank you for sharing this. We have had some struggles in our family lately as well, and this meditation was just what I needed this morning. Glad things are going a little better for you.
Small Steps is a wonderful book! I would love to win a copy to give to another mom friend.
Thank you! It sounds like I could learn a lot from this book!
I am so grateful for your site. You share real life and thoughtful words that encourage your readers. Thank you for that!
What a lovely giveaway. Thanks, Ginny for hosting it, and I’d love to win a copy of this book.
May the last days of pregnancy be lovely and blessed for you.
I’m not catholic, or much of anything in the department really. But I have needed some encouragement lately. The small selection you posted today was very nice. Thank You for the opportunity to win a copy of this book.
Your family is so beautiful, thank you for being open and honest. We all have hard days sometimes, you help me to know I am not alone when I have one with my family.
Thank You!
Ha! I was wondering if it was specifically geared to the Catholic faith 🙂 I didn’t think so based on the excerpt, but glad you cleared that up.
I would love to have a copy….thanks for the opportunity.
I would so love to win a copy of this book. If I don’t win I will put it on my Christmas list.
This book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance!
Looks like this would be a good fit in my life – reminders and nurturing. Thanks for the opportunity to win :).
I am amazed at how our Heavenly Father speaks words of life to us when we just are not sure about what to do. I am encouraged with how truly detail oriented our God is that when you need encouragement to love on Bea, He gives it to you in the form of words written by women who love and honor Him. Thanks for sharing your God story!
I really need this right now. I might buy a copy if I don’t win. It’s great to have a sister who owns a Catholic bookstore!
Thank you for this giveaway … this book sounds like a treasure.
I’m always looking for encouragement on this motherhood journey! Would love to win – it was Elizabeth Foss’s blog that led me here to Small Things. What a blessing!
Thank you for telling us about this book; looks like just the thing I could use right now too!
I could use this right about now. Thanks for the chance to win.
This definitely sounds like something we could all learn from. Hoping to win it, and if not, I’ll be looking to buy it! Thanks for the opportunity
Hi Ginny,
What a lovely thing to do. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I’d love a chance to win this.
I hope the last few weeks of pregnancy are peaceful and lovely.
I would love to read this!
My initial thought was, no idea for me to participate I am lutheran, but it seems, it could be something for me as well!
I recognize your feelings about, not beeing able to be agood mom all the time, but a wise person once told me, the best mom for your child is always you! It used to comfort me on days when I felt I was not living up to my standards of what a mother is supposed to be!
Take care!
Thanks for the giveway, what a wonderful gift
Me fascinaría leer el libro, pero ¿me lo mandarías a Uruguay? Yo puedo pagar los gastos de envío. Un abrazo en Cristo, saludos!!!!
The book looks lovely! I’m not a mom myself, but I know several that I think would love this.
I would love to read this book! I too have a very strong willed preschooler and from time to time need to stop and reevaluate how best to guide him and myself throughout each day. Lots of love is key!
Oops. Sorry to comment twice. My email address was missing a letter in my last comment. Just delete one I guess.
I would love to win that book. It does sound promising…
Oh I need this. I need something that forces me to take a moment to stop and reflect. I too rarely stand still. I know the verse that says to Stand still and see the glory of the Lord and still I don’t. I would love a daily reminder.
It is hard to get beyond “self” isn’t it? I think that is a daily struggle as a SAHM because so much of it is taking care of others.
I would love to win. Thanks for the give away.
I’d love to be entered! Thanks, Ginny!
I just sat in a parents meeting last night for my oldest daughters 1st reconciliation. It made me so excited to go threw this sacrament with her and learn all over again the love of God and his forgiveness. It is amazing how children help us to see things clearer.
This book looks very interesting, I definitely need to check it out.
I’d love this book! Thanks!
Hi Ginny! I am a catholic mother of 3 kids and would LOVE a copy of this book! Thanks for the inspiration Ginny and for you being “you” and not pretending to be something else. We all struggle and I appreciate your honesty. I love your blog!
I’m a Catholic mom of three rowdy boys, and I can ALWAYS use a liitle encouragement, and a LOT of guidance! I would love a copy!
I love finding the exact right words in the moment that I need them most. What a blessing. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love that this book is titled, “small steps….”. So often I try to take on too much at the beginning of the day and wind up getting overwhelmed and frustrated. Reading this book would be a great way to start the day and remind myself to take small steps all day to get more accomplished.
I’ve been looking for a book similar to this. And even though I am not a Catholic, I was raised in the Catholic church, and many of the teachings still resonate with me. I’d love to own a copy of this book.
Oh my goodness, this is such a beautiful reminder. It is so easy to get caught up in life, homeschooling and the big picture that we forget to get down on our knees and meet our little ones face to face. Our three year old is really needing more of that these days and will receive more today thanks to this post.
This book is the prompting I need to focus on the way I need to be.
i would very much like a chance to win this book. thank you. of all the mom/devotionals for moms books i’ve seen, read or been given, i think this one speaks most to my needs. the example you shared only confirms that. 🙂
I’m a Catholic mom of 3 and one on the way. I’m always looking for great books to deepen my faith, thanks for the chance to win.
Wow! It’s amazing how closely the words from the book that day matched your needs. That could only be divine intervention. After I asked you about this book, I sent it to my friend, and she called me in tears a few days lat telling me how even the day it arrived, its thoughts for that day spoke to her immediate needs and problems.
I could really, really use this! Being so new in my faith I struggle a lot with simple things and it looks like this book would help me to refocus.
This sounds like a book my DIL would love. She comes from a very devout Catholic upbringing….is raising 5 young ones and balancing a part time professional job on weekends and on the one day my son has off during the week to watch the children. It’s an extremely busy, stressful life (as if I have to tell YOU that!!!!)…..she is now thinking about homeschooling. I’ve referred her to this blog several times….but I don’t think she’s found the time to hop in!!! (She had 5 horrible pregnancies….each ending in c-sections. Each ending in adding another joy to their lives that we all couldn’t imagine life without. Hang in there, honey!!!)
I love this wonderful book and would love to win a copy to pass along to a dear friend!
I was so excited when I heard this was being reprinted. I would love to win a copy! Thanks for the opportunity.