As I sat there in the pew, I began to think about what had caused the dents in my shield. The times I tried to live my life on my terms and had ignored red flags placed to warn me of wrong decisions being made.
Being a mom has added dents to the shield multiple times in the last three years. I rush through the day sending up pleas and pleading prayers when things got challenging with my strong willed son instead of leaning on God’s promises or even taking time to listen to the answers to them.
During three year old tantrums, I feel my stomach knot up and I try to remain calm. The outward appearance of calm isn’t usually carried inside to the tense feeling I get when I want to handle them with grace and words that I don’t what to come back to haunt me.
I am going to be making a considerable effort to take the time to work on my faith in the coming weeks. Raising a three year old is hard. There are many more dents that will be appearing in my shield in the future. I do hope that I can hold fast to want I believe. A three year old or life in general can wear you down and lead you make decisions that you wish you hadn’t in moment of frustration or doubt.
When I look back at each of the dents in my shield, I don’t want to cling to the frustrations or failures that they might represent. I do want to look at them and see how God looked out for me and carried me through them.
It’s through those dents that our faith becomes stronger!
Loved the post, but not a mommy yet… we shall see and learn.
thanks
Leontien
Awww, reminds me of the seven I went through:) Enjoy every moment of everything with him. The years will fly by and the dent’s won’t seem so bad at all…
Thanks so much for your visit. Glad that you enjoyed my bromeliad painting. Yes, I like to layer, as well as mingle my colors.
Yes, the kids can leave dents, but they make you stronger.
Barb
Great post JD’sMom. I always picture that shield so strong, but I forget that it gets hit all the time. When I think about those dents, I cherish what they have taught me–God can fend off anything, if I let Him, and if I keep a tight hold on that shield. Thanks for this today.
So many dents in my shield…but that is what protective armour is for, right? Thankfully God is there to help deter some of the harder knocks in life. Loved thinking about this…reminds me of David and Golliath…big armour and little armour, it still protects us the same way! 🙂
Love this post,When I worked out side the home before I retired,every morning while driving to work I put on the “Whole Armour of God”,and you know God protects us every minute,we may stumble but he is always there to pick us up and we can dust off the feet shod with the preparation,the loins girt with truth having on the breastplate of righteousness,the shield of faith,the helmet of salvation.
You know sometimes when I’m out shopping or in town,It sounds crazy but I feel naked,so I remember,OH!…I need to put on the “whole armour”
Thanks for this reminder!
~JO
LazyonLoblolly
Love your writing, JD’s Mom. I thought about writing on Faith too for the Alphabe Thursday, but then settled with Forgiveness. They’re related though. My dents on Faith shield are plenty and big ones. Keep up with the good work as a mom and with your blog.
There is a great Joyce Meyer quote that says “God’s light shines through a cracked pot better than one who has it all together:)”
Sometimes the dings are great learning moments! Hugs:)
I’ve got a few dents also and I treasure all of them because they have brought me to the place I am in now…
lovely lovely post
xxoo,
RMW
aren’t the dents part of life? without them, we wouldn’t be consider vulnerable or human.
have a sweet day.
I liked this post very much.
You’re right: raising a three year old is hard. Recently I’ve wondered, “When will it feel easier to raise Tobin, my three year old? When will we stop with these battles of will? When will he see the joy and blessings and safety that come from obedience?”
People talk about the challenges of two year olds, but three year olds can be pretty tough, too! 🙂
You know, not only is your shield of faith protecting you, it’s also protecting your son. Whether he knows it or not, he’s crouched down there beside you, and as you hold up the shield, you’re taking care of him, too.
Someday, he might realize that…and maybe even thank you. 🙂
I enjoyed this time with my son, it unfortunately stops when they start to think that mom becomes boring. It started with 13, lol !
Hang in there! Kids never grow up to be completely perfect but they are usually much easier to live with than three-year-olds. 🙂
I am not a parent, but I’d say I still have a few dents in my shield. Wouldn’t trade them for anyone else’s, that’s for sure… they make me who I am today, and I like me just fine. I wonder how my mother handled the dents that come having five children.
My shield too has many dents, and have been tested way too many times. This is food for my thought, “When I look back at each of the dents in my shield, I don’t want to cling to the frustrations or failures that they might represent.” Love it!
Oh, it is so hard. I need to work on my patience.
This is such a sweet post! You are a wonderful mother, my dear!!
“When I look back at each of the dents in my shield, I don’t want to cling to the frustrations or failures that they might represent. I do want to look at them and see how God looked out for me and carried me through them.”
I absolutely love this quote. I’m going to try and remember it for when I’m feeling like I’m about to lose it as a mom. (Which is pretty often! 5-year-olds are hard too. :/ )
I see that the dents are making a more conscious, stronger you.
Parenting is teaching me to trust.
My daughter tantrummed ALL. THE. TIME. when she was 2 and 3. It was awful! I promise you, it does get better when they get older. Honest!
Hi again! Bit late this time-pressure of work!
Great ‘F’ post! A belated Happy Alphabe-Thursday!
Have a great weekend & look forward to *seeing* you again next time,
LOLA:)
Wow. What a thought provoking post this is.
Sometimes I fear that my dents will never disappear…there are days when they just get deeper and deeper.
But on we go. Hopeful that our shields will continue to protect our hearts when we most need it.
Thanks for a fabulous link to Alphabe-Thursday.
A+
what a great post!
i think my dents just remind me of what i have learned! 🙂
What a beautiful metaphor. My faith has been badly shaken these last few years. I still believe in God, but have stopped going to church. I feel lost sometimes. Your post gives me hope. Thank you.
Visiting from BWOMM’s TTT. Thanks for stopping by A Wide Line!