UPDATED: The randomly selected winner of the Raising Generations ticket was Comment #53 Emily – an email is on its way to you!
My kid came and hugged me good night last night and put his nose up close to mine and peered at me through his glasses – “You’re a great mom,” he grinned up at me.
A great mom.
It’s funny how easy it is to believe the opposite.
My next-door-neighbor is becoming a second home for my boys. If they’re not at my house, they’re at hers. And she and I stood in her door way last night as the snow was blowing in and just shook our heads over the mystery of raising kids. This strange dance. This aching growth.
I’m no parenting expert.
You might be surprised how often I doubt myself. Or then again, maybe you won’t. Because you’re a mom too. And you know that self doubt comes with the territory.
So if you asked me my best parenting advice – it would be this.
The best thing you can do for your kids is to encourage their mother.
Remind her that she matters and that as exhausted or defeated as she might feel some days, she matters.
Moms matter.
Moms matter because they feed us the good stuff. Great big helpings of who we could become. They mix us up into themselves and knead us through with answers we may not want to hear and tears we do not want to cry.
Moms matter because they model courage before we are even old enough to recognize it. They get up in the thankless dark and offer bottles, chase away our fears, drive to work, wait on midnight homecomings and keep vigil over sick children to the second and third generation.
Moms matter because their words can crack or cement the foundation of who are – no matter how old we are.
Moms matter because they show us by doing. Their lives echo throughout ours and we will still hear the voice of their living long after they are gone.
Moms matter because they were made to matter.
And if you wish your mom didn’t matter so much. If you wish someone could soften the blow of her impact or soothe the ache of her loss. If you’re a mother who hasn’t figured out her motherhood, oh friend, I would rock you if I could. But instead let me offer my hand. For I would lead you to the One who has always said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”
The Christ who was born of a woman, for a woman, from a woman. The Christ child who became the Christ man who spent his dying breaths still loving on his mother.
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27 (New International Version).
He knows what it is to love a mother. He knows what it is to lose a mother.
Moms matter because they matter to Him. In all their righteous and wretched vulnerability. So, on the hard, confusing days let Him be the one to rock you.
Because even grown ups need lullabies sometimes.
And on March 21 & 22nd I’m going to be sharing this and more at the Raising Generations Conference in Corning, New York.
Raising Generations Today is a brand new conference designed to equip and inspire moms to reach the hearts of their children for the glory of God. Through providing valuable resources, inspirational speakers, practical teaching materials, and the connection of moms in every season of parenting, Raising Generations Today will offer hope to women so that they may embrace and thrive in their roles as moms.
I’m so looking forward to being there to encourage fellow moms, because sometimes that’s the best thing we can do for our kids – encourage their moms.
If you’re local, I’d so love to meet you there. The speaker line up includes some of my favorite motherhood mentors, not to mention music and worship with Shaun Groves of Compassion International.
GIVEAWAY: And today I get to give one ticket* to Raising Generations to one of you!
There are three simple ways to enter:
- Click here to leave a comment sharing why you’d like to attend an event like Raising Generations.
- Like Raising Generations on Facebook (and leave a comment saying you did so).
- Click to tweet this (and leave a comment saying you did so): A conference for moms in Upstate New York! Join me at Raising Generations Today!
OK, your turn. Leave us a comment sharing why you’d like to attend an event like Raising Generations.
*Giveaway is for conference registration only and does not include travel or lodging. Winner announced on Monday.
Aside from the fact that most words that you wrote above spoke loudly into my weary mama’s heart, I love the opportunity to interact with others who’ve gone before and are coming after on this journey through Motherhood. I am deeply nourished when I get the chance to be encouraged by and be an encouragement to other mamas! This conference would be just the thing!
I actually have my ticket but would love the opportunity to gift a friend with a ticket and bring her along!
I like the Raising Generations Facebook Page!
I tweeted about the conference!
I liked Raising Generations on FB!
It looks to be like such a great opportunity to be encouraged in the most important calling we have. It is far enough for me but close enough to maybe make it work. I have liked the Raising Generations today FB page (I am not on twitter).
This mama needs a jump start.
I tweeted.
I liked on FB.
I’m currently pregnant with our “rainbow baby” after losing a baby to miscarriage. Pregnancy is rough for me as I struggle with severe morning sickness and I still have three little ones who need me day in and day out. I’d love to attend this conference as a way to refresh and encourage me on this sometimes rocky road of motherhood.
Love you, Stephanie!! I hope you are able to be there!!
I LIKE Raising Generations on facebook.
I feel like a horrible mom. I feel like all I do is tell them to do stuff and scream at them when they don´t. It is horribe. My divorce from their father will soon be finished and though he gets them everyweekend I sometimes enjoy those weekends alone but need things to fill my time. I need help!!!!!
This looks like a great opportunity to meet other Christian women in fellowship!
I also like the FB page!!
I want to attend this conference for a half dozen reasons: Jessie, Erin, Andie, Brynn, Cole, and Jaime. I’d also be ever so grateful to meet you, Lisa Jo, and thank you for the many, many times you’ve blessed me with your words.
I would LOVE to attend to be encouraged AND to be better equipped to encourage other Moms!
I liked Raising Generations on Facebook.
Oh – and I DID like the Raising Generations Today facebook page!
i tweeted about the giveaway.
I would love to attend raising generations! I have 2 biological, 1 foster darling, and my grandpa lives with us. I need inspiration”
I’d love to meet more Christian moms and attend this conference :)
Hey Lisa-Jo,
Don’t enter me in the giveaway – I’m not able to go. :( But I just had to tell you how much I love this post. Especially your invitation to those who’ve not had positive mom-experiences. It’s incredible how committed the Father is to re-parenting our hearts, to filling in the gaps left by our parents. He is SO good at that. And your reminder of His goodness at that just really blessed me.
Thanks. :) xo
I could use some help!!!
I’d like to attend simply because I’m a Mom and I need it. I feel it would help me with my relationship with my 10 yr old. We’ve come leaps and bounds in the last 1-2 yrs but she’s entering her teen yrs and I’m scared to death. With God by my side, I KNOW I can do this!! And, that this fear is from the enemy but it doesn’t make it any less real. May God bless each woman at the conference in a MIGHTY, MIGHTY way. I pray lives and relationships are changed, forever!! Amen.
p.s. — I don’t know how to TWEET but I did “like” the “Raising Generations” FB page. I hope I’m still able to enter the contest even though I can’t TWEET. =(
Yes ma’am – you’re entered :)
some days it is so hard to believe that I am a great mom… like when my kids are all around me talking at the same time and asking for help with their homework and I am shushing them and putting them off because I’m trying to read a blog post and enter a giveaway for a conference ticket that will help me be a better mom!! ;)
(and now that homework is done, I’m trying again) I would love to attend Raising Generations Today because this mama needs a lullaby… and I’m pretty sure that weekend would be a lullaby to my heart and soul!! and because I love connection with other moms!!
I liked their facebook page!!! (a long time ago :)
shared on twitter!
What a wonderful post today…and one that I needed to read. Today I am feeling very inadequate in my role as a mommy. Self-doubt always creeps in when we are at our most vulnerable. And I honestly try to give myself a break, but oh…that is sometimes so difficult! I would LOVE to attend the “Raising Generations” conference because…simply put…I have SO MUCH to learn. And raising my son is one of the most important things I will ever do in my life. I need all the support, information, and direction I can get. :-) Love your blog and the things you have to say! Many blessings!
Thank you, Lisa Jo, for your post and this giveaway. God has richly blessed you with ways to make words more than words. They are feelings and emotions that come to life off an electronic page…ones that speak deeply to our Mama hearts.
Thank you.
I would love to sit in His presence at this conference. To soak up the richness of wisdom and advice and encouragement and to go home powered up to keep being His servant in this my Kingdom role.
I liked it on Facebook! :)
This was great. Esp the part about wishing your mom didn’t matter so much sometimes. Sigh. I guilty. I would love to attend and be enriched and encouraged to continue my mothering journey with joy!
Liked on fb
As a mom of two months, I would love to attend and begin this adventure as equipped as I can be.
And I liked the Facebook page. :-)
I have been deep prayer about attending this event. I have three children, a 13 year old son, and 5 and 3 year old daughters. This school year has been extremely difficult for our 13 year old and I feel at my whits end on what to do next to get thru to him as all of our attempts have failed. I feel that this conference would be so beneficial on getting some insight on how other mothers are able to overcome these obstacles and still keep a peaceful home.
Lisa-Jo,
I am so looking forward to hearing you at this conference!!! I will be sharing this with my friends, but please don’t enter me in the giveaway. I am praying that someone who is not able to attend because of the ticket price will be the recipient of this giveaway.
Praying for you!
Becky
It will be great to see you there Becky!
I have been a mom for 21 years and still need encouragement. Now as an adoptive mom, I have a new challenge in changing the generations!
I absolutely love your blog. It makes me feel as though I’m not completely out of the normal. That everyone struggles. And today’s post is something I need to hear on a daily basis. I would love nothig more than to go to this conference!
I would love to go to this conference to refresh my spirit and my soul.
I would love to be able to attend this conference because I live in a remote area of Canada and we have no opportunities or resources like this. We are often in desperate need of fellowship. I’ve had my eye on this conference for a few months. :) Enjoyed hearing you at Allume and would be blessed to hear you again!
I’m going over to “like” Raising Generations. Thank you for this opportunity!
I read this as I hang up the phone at 9:40 p.m. and my daughter has just phoned from dance practice, which is now over, and the plans I made for having her picked up fell through. And no one called to let me know. And my child is waiting for me and I am 20 minutes away and I feel like a big, fat failure as a mom right now. Thank you for giving me permission to forgive myself and to encourage myself. As much as I would love to attend the conference and get away, I am way down south and couldn’t attend. If by chance I win, please gift the attendance to someone else :)
I’ve liked the Facebook page. :)
I tweeted! –> https://twitter.com/kaitlyn_bouch/status/425887362506178560
Okay sooooo we both know I’m not a mom, and my mom and her best friend are already headed to RGT. I’m so thankful it all worked out and I’m happy to be giving this fun time to mom for her birthday! But I would super love to win a ticket so that her sister could come, too! They’re very close, but finances won’t allow it at this point. Fingers crossed. :)
Lovely words, Lisa Jo!
I would love to attend this conference and soak in all of the encouragement I know is there! It is probably the closest one to me- it is about a four hour drive from my house
I liked them on FB!
I tweeted!
because parenting is my full time job!
I want to go because our job as moms is supremely important. I want to do it well.
Liked them on FB!
Tweeted about it just now. :)
My daughter Grace is the love of my life (in addition to her three siblings). She is a 5’10” 15-year old with so much generosity of spirit. But she fights me over everything: what time to turn off her phone, the “no tv on school nights” rule, how to fold laundry, and even what door to leave the house through. She knows all my buttons and has a PhD in pushing them.
Every night I pray “dear God, help me to learn to speak Grace’s language so she can know how much I love her.” I’m listening very hard for the answer, but my other three children are also calling to me for love and attention. And they are so much more receptive to my touch than she is. So I remind myself that Jesus didn’t surround himself with people who were easy; people who looked and spoke like him. He gave his time and love to Grace and the others who were difficult to reach. I am so trying to follow that example.
I’m so excited for this conference… truthfully, not a lot of conferences come near Syracuse, NY. I’m so blessed to know that amazing moms have agreed to give up some time to come and minister to us here in CNY. My husband and I have 2 boys under 6 and have just started homeschooling and I work fulltime. There’s so much guilt and comparison and worry if I’m not anchored in The Rock each morning, but another great help is to surround myself with other moms doing the day-to-day with me. Thank you for bringing encouragement to CNY!
Indeed moms matters.
I homeschool my 3-year old daughter, and nanny for 4 1/2 year old twin girls. I am surrounded by tutus and tiaras each day, and would love to find some resources to encourage them toward the Light!
Just liked Raising Generations on FB. Would SOOO love to go to this conference, and a free ticket would truly be a gift from God, since I would not otherwise be able to go.
I loved this. Sometimes I forget how important my new job is. Thanks for the encouragement!
It’s so easy to believe that sweeping up Cheerios doesn’t matter. Or that kissing boo-boos doesn’t matter. Or that tying shoelaces — for the thousandth time — doesn’t matter. But every miniscule moment in the life of motherhood multiplies into a magnitude of love. Moms matter.
Thank you, Lisa Jo, for taking on the mantle of encouragement to the hearts of moms. I’m looking forward to hearing you speak at Raising Generations Today.
I would love to attend this conference. My girls are young right now but as they grow, I want to be able to encourage them in their faith and walk in a way that makes sense to them. I’m always looking for inspiration and creative ways to expose them to what it is to know and love Jesus.
Last year was a very difficult one for me as my son died when I was 33 weeks pregnant and then I had a surprise ectopic pregnancy. I would LOVE to meet and fellowship with the ladies at the conference and sit in for Kelly’s sessions in particular.
I liked the Facebook page!
I almost didn’t read this. (time and all) but I did and it is good. A small group of local women are meeting tomorrow morning to start a Bible study and I’m going to share this. Thanks :)
If you want to eat pizza, deserts or whatever your personal vice may be,
you can. A person with VATA prakriti should avoid dry and light food items.
All sweet fruits integrate with each other as well as one starch as well as cheese (fresh), view Group C.