Our family has a new motto. Ok, ok I have a new motto; hard has the potential to produce perseverance.
A couple weeks ago we entered the ice arena for my son’s weekly hockey clinic.
Maybe it was my brain exhausted from the holidays (it was 2 days post christmas), or maybe my brain remembered incorrectly so I would be in this exact place, at this exact time.
Whichever the reason, we were there – my son all geared up and ready to roll – but there was no clinic.
My son was heartbroken. He LOVES hockey, and I’m so thankful he has an outlet to experience joy and community and determination. However, the disappointment he displayed was ripping my mama heart into pieces.
As we sullenly walked back out into the abnormally mild winter, we ran into one of his coaches.
I said hi and, thanks to my catastrophic anxiety, confirmed with her there was no practice.
Im going to pause here for a moment.
Why?
Because everything following this moment happened so fast, I just need to preface the situation with this acknowledgement so that you can fully experience what I am attempting to help you envision.
Let me say this boldly so you understand the full effect of these 30 seconds and the remaining hour that ensued – I CANNOT SKATE.
Not like, “I can’t skate – well.”
No.
Like, I have never stood without holding onto the railing type of can’t skate.
Every red flag warning and internal alarm was blaring in my brain to say NO THANKS!
Ok, let’s resume.
His coach assured me that there was no clinic in Lou of holiday breaks. BUT, she said that they WERE having a clinic for MOMS to skate.
I told his coach I can’t skate and she insisted that this was for moms who can’t skate (bless her heart for being so kind and encouraging)!
Here is why this matters for todays topic – I looked over at Andy and he was watching me with such intent and inquisitiveness that I knew, without a doubt, and with all anxiety, I had to do this.
This here was more than just a moms skate night. This was a core memory, a lesson in perseverance and overcoming doubt and mental disabilities.
As I looked into my first borns bright and curious hazel eyes, I said – ok, let’s do it.
Andy let out a joyful shriek at the idea of mom skating (He is well aware I am no better than a gazelle on ice), and smiled larget than I think I have ever seen him smile (that’s saying a lot).
I am beyond elated to report that I did not fall once! I actually skated without holding the boards (although I held a stick), and I even pushed through hockey drills!
When told I didn’t have to complete the drills, I not-so-confidently assured the coach that I would complete the tasks, because that is what I would want Andy to do.
Why torture myself and the other lovely moms?
My son was watching. I do not tolerate him half hearting drills on the ice, so, I couldn’t either. But, honestly, I wanted to. I wanted to run off the second I was on. It was hard. But hard is not the same as bad.
New moms, new experience, new equipment – I hope I hid it well but I was in a full blown panic attack that entire hour.
I could have gotten off, but I persevered.
The other mothers were incredible and kind. They encouraged me, cheered for me, and geared me up with what I didn’t have (one mom even giving me her husbands hockey gloves).
And my son watched it all.
Yes, I could talk to him about perseverance, I could read him scripture. We could discuss and ponder and play out scenarios. I don’t know about you, but I always learn better when I witness the lesson in real life.
While that was probably the longest intro ever, I hope you will stay with me for a couple more minutes as we dive into a few other ways we moms can live out the power of perseverance to our kids.
Perseverance through Doubt
Motherhood is a journey filled with many unexpected twists and turns. There are moments when we question our abilities, doubt our decisions, and wonder if we’re doing enough for our children. Heck, some of these might be within the same hour.
I’ve been there, and if you’re reading this, chances are, you’ve been there too. But remember, even in the Bible, many of God’s faithful servants experienced doubt.
Take Moses, for instance. He doubted his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God reassured him and used him mightily (Exodus 4:10-12).
Similarly, God is with us in our moments of doubt, reassuring us that He has equipped us for this beautiful journey of motherhood.
So next time doubt creeps in, take a deep breath, say a prayer, and remind yourself that you are enough because the One who called you to be a mother is with you.
Perseverance through Disappointment
Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, and motherhood is no exception.
Maybe it’s the disappointment of a missed milestone, a parenting strategy that didn’t work, or simply the frustration when things don’t go as planned.
We’ve all had those days when the laundry pile seems never-ending, the kids are bickering, and the coffee pot is empty.
But here’s a nugget of wisdom from Scripture to hold onto: Romans 5:3-4 tells us that we can rejoice in our sufferings because suffering produces endurance, character, and hope.
These trying times are not in vain; they are shaping us into more resilient, compassionate, and patient mothers.
Remember the time when your toddler spilled their juice for the third time in a day? It was frustrating, yes, but it also taught you patience and the power of a calm response.
So next time disappointment comes knocking, embrace it as an opportunity to grow and model resilience for your children.
Perseverance through the Day
Let’s be honest, some days are just tough. From dawn to dusk, it feels like a marathon of meal prep, diaper changes, tantrums, homework help, and bedtime battles.
It’s in these moments, when we’re knee-deep in the trenches of motherhood, that perseverance becomes our lifeline.
The Bible offers us encouragement in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Each act of service, each moment of sacrifice for our children is sowing seeds of love and faith that will one day bear fruit.
So, when your day feels like a whirlwind of chaos, remember to pause, breathe, and persevere. Your daily efforts, no matter how small they seem, are making a world of difference in your child’s life.
Final Thoughts on Perseverance
You see, sisters, sometimes the most profound lessons we can teach our children come from the every day moments; the times when we’re pushed out of our comfort zones and forced to confront our fears, doubts, and insecurities happen all the time.
And in doing so, we model perseverance for our little ones.
In the face of disappointment, we have a choice. We can let it define us, or we can choose to rise above it, to lean on our faith, and to persevere.
That’s what I did on that ice rink. I chose to push past my fear, to embrace the challenge, and to show my son that even his mom can skate (or at least, try to).
So, as we wrap up this Motherhood Monday post, I want you to remember one thing: You are not alone in this journey of motherhood. Each struggle, each doubt, and each moment of perseverance is a shared experience. We are all in this together, learning, growing, and leaning on faith to guide us through.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can find strength in our shared stories, wisdom in our collective experiences, and encouragement in our mutual faith? That’s what this community is all about. And I would love for you to be an even bigger part of it.
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Stay blessed, stay inspired, and remember that, just like on that ice rink, you have the power to persevere through anything life throws your way. After all, we are mothers, and we are stronger than we think!
Until next time, sending you love, light, and blessings.
