I have a friend named Amy who is teaching me how to be a good mom. She is the real deal. When I implement the practices she teaches me, it completely changes the environment in my home. It holds my children responsible for their choices and their consequences and allows me to be the facilitator, instead of the evil villain.
An example is a little something like this:
(using “boys” in plural to protect the innocent)
Me: Hey boys, it’s time for dinner please come help chop the cucumbers.
Boys: Ughhh, not right now, we’re almost finished with this set. We’ll be there in a minute.
Me: That’s no problem. Boys who don’t come help make dinner don’t get a session of evening electronics. Totally up to you.
Boys: We’re coming! (and they actually are)
That’s just one example of many, but I can’t tell you how much hope Amy has given me for being able to raise responsible human beings, instead of entitled little adults. That hope is why it always hits my heart at the end of her little training videos.
She ends every one with, “There’s always hope.”
And I believe her.
That hope gets me through the days I think I have no idea how to be a parent. The nights I’m at my wit’s end. I can hear her voice in my head saying, “There’s always hope.” What a gift.
I woke up thinking about that this morning.
HOPE
I wondered if you have anyone telling you, that there’s always hope.
Whether you’re struggling with raising strong-willed kiddos, staying married in a turbulent time, making enough money to pay the next bill, figuring out what in the world your next step should be, or even getting out of bed this morning. Please hear this.
There is always hope.
We find hope in caring people. It may not seem like it at times, but there are people who care about you and your situation. If you’re needing hope on any level today, please reach out to someone. Find a friend, a neighbor, a family member, a teacher, a therapist, a church small group leader or pastor. If you just share that you’re needing a little hope today, I’m trusting you’ll find it.
We all need to be reminded of that every now and then, no matter what our situation. So I’m saying it to you today.
There is always hope.
To more love,
Crystal
