“I’m Living My Dream…..” (Allyson: Mom’s Night Out)

When I was really young if you asked me who I wanted to be when I grew up, with a big beaming dimpled smile I would reply, “When I grow up I’m going to be a very Very VEry VERy VERY famous actress.” Since I loved musicals, whether shown in the theater, the cinema, or at home on VHS, singing was naturally included. At least in my mind. I loved being in the school plays but I was never one who begged for attention or felt the need to be the absolute focus of the spotlight. Believe it or not, I was shy.
As I continued to grow and transitioned through a big family relocation I became comfortable in a supporting role. I helped. I assisted. I supported.
After a while, women in my life found themselves pregnant, all in various ages and stages of their lives. While they were happily and nervously preparing to be single mothers; I found myself assisting, supporting, encouraging them.   I could complete a baby registry with the main essentials, set up a crib, diaper change a baby extremely quickly and accurately even while blindfolded.

I look back at those times, and know that it wasn’t just me helping them. It was me “going to school.” Me being taught. My education. Yes, even the blindfolded diaper changes during baby shower games.
It was God preparing me for the desire of my heart. My own family. Me mothering and nurturing my own children.
While even as I dreamed of being a “very Very VEry VERy VERY famous actress,” I always knew I would have an amazingly loving husband and a few children, beginning with a son. Somewhere along the line my dream shifted, adjusted, became re-prioritized.

When I gave my heart to the Lord,
He gave me a new desire for my heart.
So now, I AM living My dream.

And this heart is more full than I ever imagined.  Despite certain circumstances, God has allowed me to thoroughly enjoy the process of each of my three pregnancies. He not only blessed me with my first born son, but I have birthed three amazingly handsome sons (who look just like daddy).  Don’t get me wrong. Motherhood is not all roses and daisies.   Motherhood is hard. Let me say that again:

 Motherhood Is Hard!   But, it’s worth all the work.
Many people know that 1st Corinthians 13 says
“Love is Patient, Love is Kind….”

But it also says “Love Bears all things, Believes all things,
Hopes all things, Endures all things. ”
Motherhood is ALL those things.
Motherhood requires ALL those things.
Being a mother requires Patience.
Being a mother requires Kindness.
Being a mother requires Bearing.
Being a mother requires Belief.
Being a mother requires Hope.
Being a mother requires Endurance.
Being a mother requires Love.

Motherhood IS Hard.   But, mothers Love Harder.

Until next time, remember:
You’re Growing Greatness.