The Joys and The Challenges - by guest blogger, Heather

Being a mother of two girls is an amazing thing! I find in it such a broad spectrum of joys and challenges. It is an awesome responsibility to know that God has given me these two girls that I am to raise to become Godly women, wonderful wives, mothers and friends. I love that in their youth they are a challenge to me to be that very thing. They push me to be a better wife, mom, friend and woman because I know that they are watching me and learning from both my mistakes and my triumphs.

My oldest daughter has a matter of fact way about her. She is a lot like me. She loves to know what to expect, how things are going to play out, making lists and piles for even the smallest things. She loves shopping (I am not sure where she gets this from…not me!). She will put things in piles based on her varying degrees of how much she likes them. She also has a soft heart towards people. I love this about her. She loves to search out a friend. Her goal any time we go to the park is to make a friend. This at times can bring her sadness as she gets her heart broken easily. My hope is that God will show me how to mold this aspect of her personality in a way that will allow her to remain soft towards people, but keep her dependency in the Lord and not man. Her soft heart challenges me to not harden myself towards people and to keep an attitude of hospitality and friendship.

In my youngest daughter, I see a fierce determination in everything she does. She has a way of going from zero to sixty in one minute flat. Her intensity is something that if harnessed properly can make her a strong woman ready to face life’s challenges. She has a carefree spirit that makes you stop and enjoy the small things in life. She loves to stop and look at every flower and rock when we go on a walk. She wants for people to enjoy the things she enjoys. Her simplistic outlook on life is a reminder to stop from time to time and enjoy even the smallest things that God has given us.

I have an amazing mother. She raised six kids and did it without going totally crazy. As I go about the day to day routine of being a mom of three small children, I daily gain a new respect for my mom. When we were kids, she made life fun while at the same time teaching us the importance of Godliness. She taught me what it is to be a good woman, wife and mom. My hope and prayer is that I will be the same to my girls. That when they become moms, that they will say the same thing about me. For me, it seems something that is far reaching, but I pray that God will give me the wisdom to train my girls in a fun, loving and Godly way so that they may carry on the same legacy for their daughters.

I love the idea of this blog carnival. It really makes you stop and appreciate the blessing of being a mother. It reminds me of what my purpose is as a mom and to appreciate it even on the hard days when I just want to hide. It is an encouragement to be the best woman that I can be because my daughters are watching. Thanks, Sarah, for letting me guest blog and for the wonderful idea that reminds me of how precious a thing a mother daughter relationship is!

Heather is a young pastor's wife, mother of three, and all-around great person. Growing up as a pastor's daughter, and the oldest of six children, she has a unique insight that always inspires me.