Even in the Messy Moments
Vera Smoker

Written by Vera Smoker

October 5, 2020

Parent Blog

Even in the Messy Moments

The end of the day… It feels so wonderful! It was one of those days where it felt like I had to breathe in grace with every breath so I could exhale that over my surroundings rather than my frustration.

Heat, humidity, biting off a little too much schedule-wise and then trying to balance it all while still easing into school routine…gah! A mom’s life still gets me some days! But slowly, I’m learning to allow His grace to get me more than my too-high expectations and the noise and feisty realness that comes with raising kiddos. I want to see them and myself like God sees them. On days like this I wonder what that really looks like? I long for just a glimpse of what I’m believing for myself and them. Then I see the painted sky in the evening, and I think I get a partial answer. It’s allowing all the colors of mom life and mom days to blend together and create a beautiful masterpiece all its own…a blend that no other mom and her kiddos could create. It’s not living life perfectly together, but rather breathing in grace and allowing the imperfect moments to blend in with the ones that seem more perfect. It’s believing at the end of the day that where you did your best and still feel like you missed it that grace will cover both you and your kids.

You aren’t big enough to wreck it in one single day—especially not when you hand all the pieces over to the One who is bigger than the messy minutes of the day. He blends the pieces you give Him together beautifully and adds a silver lining. I. WILL. TRUST. HIM. For myself and for my kiddos. That’s a choice I get to make at the end of every day. And I still choose being a mom.

They just crashed my contemplative musings here… Sarah danced up on the porch breathless to show me her creation basket with all the different mosses, mushroom, and other varied nature pieces that each have some kind of significance to her. Johannes proudly pointed out the porch and driveway he voluntarily cleaned up. Maybe we’re raising more than ragamuffins after all… Tomorrow’s another day. It is now long past sunset as I wrote between many interruptions, but tonight’s sky…tonight’s sky was REALLY beautiful. The mosquito bites I’m sustaining now…not so much.

Time for bed for me. As I go, remember to look up at the sky, breathe in deep breaths of grace, and be reminded that He has a way of making beauty out of everything.

Butterfly on Finger
Butterfly on Finger

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Smoker Family

by Vera Smoker

Hi there! I am Vera, blessed wife of one and mom to three wonderful little people who make my world go round. I am an unashamed lover of Jesus, passionate about authentic relationships rooted within the identity that comes first from my relationship with Him. I’m a lover of good books, fat journals, sunsets and sunrises, long quiet country walks, and time with my family around campfires or on our front porch. Growth and mentorship are high on the list of values for me and I always thrill when I get to celebrate the wonderful journey of growth and discovery with others. The Hubs and I both love hosting so come relax with us sometime and we will chat the time away and connect over a good cup of coffee or chai!

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