Purpose

I am stubborn.

I am determined.

I was a difficult toddler (so my mother tells me).

BUT God made me that way on purpose.  The difficult toddler part is debatable but that is what you get when you combined those qualities with early brain development, lack of life experience and immaturity.  I love Sally Clarkson (recommend her for every mom), she recently said,

"Godly character takes many years and a lot of hard work, be patient with your toddlers, don't expect too much too quickly."

I'm finding that Godly character takes a least 40 years, maybe longer, I'll let you know when I'm 50.

I cringe at the first-time obedience concept.  That idea caused me SO much stress in my early years as a mom.  I think patience, grace and mercy go much farther with children than putting adult expectations on them.  That said, even adults need patience, grace and mercy and thankfully that is what God extends to us. (I HIGHLY recommend Grace-Based Parenting, best parenting book I've read.)

I could go on and on but enough of that, back to my stubbornness and determination.  

These past few months I have been going through a trial, a HUGE trial.  The trial isn't quite finished but what I have realized is that...

I am stubborn.

I am determined.

I refuse to give up and want to walk this trial to the end.  I am a women who is seeking God and wants HIS best, an outcome that will glorify HIM.

Dear Mom, 

There was a reason for how difficult I was.  You see, God gave me qualities that are serving me well today.  Qualities HE wanted me to have, qualities that are challenging in young children, qualities HE could use to bring about good works, a spreading of HIS love and HIS truth.

Love,
Ingrid

As a mom, I have 2 of those stubborn, determined children.  I'm striving to LOVE them, grasp that those challenging qualities will serve them well someday.  It's hard but I know that God can use my boys in mighty ways.  I just keep praying and asking God to help me do my best in raising them, guiding those qualities and pointing my boys to Jesus.  It's hard but...

I am stubborn.

I am determined.

I am a mom on a mission!