You're doing a good job mama, especially in the trenches of the difficult days

"Motherhood is a choice you make everyday to put someone else's happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you're not sure what the right thing is...and to forgive yourself over and over again for doing everything wrong." - Donna Bell

Today was one of those days as a mom, you know, the days where you're constantly busy but you look back on your day and you feel like you accomplished absolutely nothing.

You put your kids to bed for the night and you finally have a chance to breathe, and it's then that it hits you, you did everything today.

You made breakfast for the kids (though you can't remember if you ate any of it), you changed more diapers then you can count, and you disciplined. Your self-care routine maxed out at brushing your teeth and spraying an unhealthy amount of dry shampoo in your hair because you had a toddler throwing a fit at your feet the entire time.

You cleaned up the never ending mess of toys left around the house on the floor only because you couldn't stand the pain of stepping on just one more. You got a workout in at the gym but only because they offer free daycare and you needed a mental break from momming. You took both dogs on a walk while pushing the stroller, you did the dishes, made lunch for the kids, made dinner when your husband got home from work, and somehow balanced your full time job and community involvement commitments simultaneously.

All of these activities just barely scratch the surface of everything you accomplished today, but most importantly, you kept the tiny humans alive.

Motherhood is the most difficult, yet the most sanctifying part of life that I have ever experienced. It teaches you strength, patience, persistence, and doing what needs to be done even when you don't have the strength or energy to to do any of it. It teaches you to fully rely on Gods providence in the big and small decisions.

I remember when I was a brand new mom - adjusting to nursing, lack of sleep, my post-pregnancy body, and trying to understand the different cries of my newborn baby girl. I felt so overwhelmed and so engulfed in being a mom that at times I felt like I had lost myself. I felt as if no one saw all of the sacrifices I made every minute of every day. It was hard.

And then it hit me when my husband looked at me out of the blue and said, "You're doing a good job." It was like I got hit by a semi truck. Ok , maybe it was partially the hormones and overwhelm taking over, but I didn't realize just how much I needed to hear that.

Motherhood is hard, it's a balance, it's a daily sacrifice, it's life-changing, and it's an incredibly important job.

Motherhood is the most difficult, yet the most sanctifying part of life that I have ever experienced.

But it's days like today, the especially difficult days, when we need to recognize that we are doing the best we can with what we have been given. So, be kind to yourself. See yourself through the lens of your children. They see you as a superhero, dictionary, wealth of knowledge, and so much more. To them you are everything they need, and that's what matters.

On the days where you feel invisible, like your sacrifices have gone unnoticed, always remember that God sees. He sees every little sacrifice that you've made. And that, mama, is truly the most important piece of motherhood.

Since I always like to leave you with practical tips on each topic that I cover, here are a few things that have helped me get through the day, especially the difficult days, as a mom:

• Working out - This started for me truly as a cherished hour or two of free daycare at our gym, getting in shape from a workout was simply a secondary benefit at that point. Being at the gym nearly every day then led to me to getting in shape and developing a routine of healthy eating and taking care of myself. I don't always want to go to the gym or get my workout in, but boy do I notice the difference in my energy and outlook when I don't!

• Getting outside or going for a walk - Before I was cleared by my doctor to workout after delivery, my husband and I started taking our daughter and dog on a walk every day. Some days, especially the difficult days, this turned into multiple walks a day. When my daughter was fussy and I was on the verge of a breakdown, I would stick her in the stroller and out the door we would go. There's something so amazing about getting outside, it calmed both of us and helped re-center my perspective for the task at hand.

• Be kind to yourself - This is something I still struggle with. As a mom you have to silence the inner critic, and all of the negative self-talk going on in your head. The voice that says you aren't good enough, fit enough, or patient enough is lying to you. You are enough, rest in that. Philippians 4:8 says, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things." I can 100% guarantee you that your negative self talk or doubt do not fit into any of those categories. Rest in God's strength and grace, and He will give you the strength to do what needs to be done for you and your family each day.

• "Tomorrow will be better" - I sent my cousin a "Welcome Baby" card when she had her daughter and I wrote this advice in it. I didn't think much of it, I just found it was something that helped me get through the difficult days. She told me recently that it's always stuck with her, and she finds herself saying this often. So, when you are having a difficult day as a mom and you're struggling to get through, tell yourself this. Tomorrow is a new day full of new opportunities, so have hope that tomorrow will be better, and it will somehow give you hope to keep pressing on today.

• You're doing a good job - You are amazing mama, and you accomplished exactly what needed to be done today. So now that the kids are in bed, grab yourself a treat and kick your feet up. You deserve it!

I am in your corner mama! You're doing a good job, and you are leaving a legacy. My mom raised six kids and I didn't tell her nearly enough how much I appreciated her, and yet she still left a legacy. No matter how much you feel appreciated or acknowledged, or how deep in the trenches of the difficult days you are, you are leaving an incredible legacy.

God-centered women - may we know them, may we raise them, may we be them.

Shine on,

Lisa