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.”
This would be a wonderful resource to have, thanks for introducing it to me.
Small steps are the best way to accomplish anything, I think. Thanks for the opportunity to read this book!
What a nice post! Would love a copy of the book!
A daily meditation is the best way to start the day!
I’d love a copy to read!
Fingers crossed!
This sounds lovely – thanks for the chance to win!
Ginny,
Isn’t it amazing how God Redeems? I have had horrible back pain during
my last two pregnancies that didn’t allow me to do much. With the past
pregnancy we had a 2 1/2 yr old and a 5 year old and a husband in his
last year of medical school. Life offen felt way out of control and it was
So hard to see how my pain and limitations effected everyone. I just
Started following your blog this past summer while looking into
homeschooling. We are homeschooling now and I am often blessed
by your blog. I’m praying for you and your family. I read 1Peter1:6 tonight as it was my
Scripture of the day on Bible gateway. I hope it
Blesses you like it did me tonight.1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I would love a copy of this. Today was a definite off day with my very spirited two year old, and this post really touched me.
I’ve been following you for a while, since Heather Sanders (I think it was her!) linked to your blog. I’m a homeschooling Mama of 3 boys on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Have just finished reading all your adoption posts as well. Seems like a good time to introduce myself. I’m not Catholic, but that book looks incredibly refreshing.
I so needed to read this today. Thank you for recommending this book!
I would love a copy.
I too am a Catholic homeschooling momma….we currently live in South Korea (military) and that has presented a whole slew of different challenges on the spiritual homefront. I would love to own this book.
Thank you for sharing your life with us on this blog. It inspires me to look deeper into our own lives and make them better.
I would really like this, too. I enjoy your blog, and find many a comfort here.
This sounds like a wonderful read and inspiration- which I could use more often lately.
What a blessing! This sounds like just what I need! Thank you for offering it!
Would love to win! Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m not catholic, but I’m a Christian homeschooling mom to five little ones. I can definitely identify with you and Beatrix!
I think the small steps book is really what I need right now.
Praying that your pain eases. Your honesty is so inspiring to me. I am a Catholic mom to 4 boys way down south in Africa. One of my sons has special needs and so often I should take this advice and give that me break time to him instead. What powerful advice! Thank you! Such an incredible book I hope to read one day. Blessings to you and your beautiful family.
Wow – I’m not familiar with this book, but know it is great if written by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss. It would be so much fun to win it. Thanks for offering it. I subscribe to your blog and love seeing what you are knitting and reading, the beautiful photographs and lovely children and husband. Am remembering you in my prayers for an easy delivery. God bless you.
I would love love love this! I’ll definitely add it to my wishlist if I don’t win…
I would love to read this book! Thank you!
This book sounds good. Thank you for sharing, Ginny.
Yes. I needed this. Like 10 minutes before I got frustrated with a mischievous toddler, a cranky baby, a husband who doesn’t listen and an in attentive tween. Between working on the same small round for a stocking hat for 5 hours and fighting exhaustion from a no sleep week, I was at my limit and snapped.
The world stops when mom yells, doesn’t it? Then tears flow and nothing good comes out of the situation.
Then, I opened this blog up. And it spoke to me.
Thank you.
Kathie Josey
I’m not a Catholic Mum but boy would I get a lot from this book. I have been reading your blog for a few years now and absolutely love it. We live on the opposite side of the world, we only have two children, we public school and we are not Catholic but I get so much out of what you write. And of course your photo’s are always so beautiful.
Isn’t God’s provision in our times of need amazing!!! Thank you for being so generous!
This sounds lovely, and it seems that its messages are both Catholic and “small c” catholic. I would love to win a copy.
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
I could use this book!
This would be a wonderful book to win…it has been on my to buy list for a while now!
I hate those days when I feel like I have done nothing but crush his tender spirit. But mommy gets tired, sick, and overwhelmed too. Would love something to help me with this.
If I don’t win..this will be a book I will soon buy. I need this also! Bea is so blessed to have you for a mother.
Oh the daily challenges of trying to not only be the best mom, but the best human being we can. Your blog is inspiring, if you recommend this book then I can only hope I can get a copy either by winning or from my local catholic shop.
I’d love to be entered, but if I don’t win, I will probably buy this anyway. We’re converting to catholisism, and are pregnant with baby 5 (first boy), and it’s HARD! My oldest is almost 7, and just when I’m ready to crawl into a corner, and weep, I try to remember to pray, and keep going. Not surprising to anyone who has been there, that’s usually when things get a little better, a little calmer, but I always forget. Always. :). Thank you for hosting this giveaway, (and thanks for the link to catholic mom, I probably wouldn’t have found it otherwise).
Thankfully…since I am not Catholic…you addressed what my question was at the end of the post.
Love the “Act” and pouring out wide and deep to the neediest little one first.
xoxo
Thank you very much for the encouraging words.
Would love to have for my daughter and her new baby…..and for myself. Thanks.
I would enjoy reading this book. I think my daughter would benefit from it as well!
What a lovely book. We can all use some direction to get us through the journey! thanks!!
I’m a Catholic Mom. I would love to read it.
Thank you for hosting the give away.
Thank you for the opportunity! Much needed in today’s world 🙂
May God bless you! Know that you are in God’s hands, and you are right where He needs you!! Thank you for your candid sharing – it brought tears to my eyes, and you will be in my prayers especially in your last few weeks!
I’ve never heard of this book, but it sounds like something I need. Thanks for sharing!
Oh I would love a copy of that! Thanks for offering the giveaway. God bless!
If ever a person needed that book, it’s me! If I don’t win, I’ll just have to buy one. Thanks for sharing. I struggle so much not to get caught up and I always fail. I get caught up, and I forget what’s really at stake and what really matters. Seems like this book could work a miracle in my life 🙂
What a delightful-sounding book. There are often times when I feel too busy for devotion, but that’s the sort thing that I could always fit in.
I would like to read it. I am a catholic mom living very far from you. I enjoy reading your posts, thank you!
Noeh and 4 kids from central Europe
Thank you for being so open about the roughness of life. I may have to buy this book one way or the other. Small steps, yes!