Jamie joined the blogosphere kicking and screaming. It took a visionary husband with a gentle nudge and neon signs from One above to convince her to add her voice to the multitude. Incredibly God showed up and blessed her efforts.
Jamie writes at Steady Mom about intentional, professional motherhood and at Simple Homeschool about a living education at home. She is a mama to three cute children born on three separate continents.
Jamie is the author of two books: Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood and Mindset for Moms: From Mundane to Marvelous Thinking in Just 30 Days. She likes writing about herself in the third person because she can make herself sound cooler than she really is.
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I took large, quick steps, pushing a double stroller around my neighborhood’s block of rural homes. The hot Texan sun blared down, but I hardly noticed. I was too absorbed in my own thoughts–and they weren’t happy ones.
“I can’t do this, God!” rattled my inner voice. My biological son Jonathan, 15-months-old at the time, had recently taken his first steps. Our eight-month-old, Elijah, had joined our family from Liberia, West Africa just two months before.
These babies adored me and wanted Mama at all times. That was the problem–there were two of them, one of me. The lies in my head taunted that I was far from equal to the task ahead.
When I arrived home I emailed a friend. “The boys think I’m the most amazing person in the world now, but one day they’ll find out I’m a big fraud.”
She wrote back, assuring me that motherhood did not require perfection as a prerequisite. That grace, love, and dependence on One far more capable was all that I needed.
She believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. And by speaking truth, my friend helped dispel the lies that had taken root in my thoughts.
At the time I didn’t recognize them as lies–isn’t it incredible how real those voices can seem? But in all honesty it was only my imagination that made me miserable that day. I chose to nurture worry instead of truth.
the moment our boys met each other for the first time
Back then I didn’t realize I had any control over my thoughts. I thank God for motherhood because it made me reach the end of myself.
God used my vulnerability to bring me to new levels of joy.
The discovery I began on that day seven years ago inspired me to write my latest e-book, Mindset for Moms: From Mundane to Marvelous Thinking in Just 30 Days. It represents a journey that has led me, not to perfection, but to greater freedom. The freedom that God wants to offer us as we follow Him.
What if we discovered that those programs on repeat play in our minds are not the real us after all, and that we can upload and run new life-changing programs in their place?
A Special Offer for (in)courage readers:
Any (in)courage reader who buys Mindset for Moms in any format (PDF, Kindle, Nook, or iTunes) can receive a FREE PDF version of my first book, Steady Days (a $9 value).
To take advantage of this offer, simply send me an email after your purchase with the subject line “I bought Mindset for Moms” and I’ll respond within a few days. Offer valid through July 31, 2012.
For today, let’s start by getting honest and completing this sentence:
“I tend to worry about ______, but what God wants me to do instead is ______.”
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment with your response below to be entered to win a copy of Mindset for Moms. (Two winners today; two winners tomorrow.)
My answer? I tend to worry about how my imperfections will affect my kids, but what God wants me to do instead is to trust. believe. and enjoy!
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Leave a Comment
Renee says
i tend to worry about the future but what God wants me to do instead is trust in Him!
~VA~ says
I tend to worry about my grades but what God wants me to do instead is trust him.
ElizabethL says
I tend to worry about “getting everything done”, but what God wants me to do instead is focus on loving my kids.
hsmominmo says
My biggest worry is that I am not good enough.
That is a very selfish statement, and shows a lack of faith, but that is what the wee-small-voice in my head tells me often.
Trish says
I tend to worry about everything, but what God wants me to do instead is depend on Him and trust Him.
JessicaD says
I tend to worry about what will become of my firstborn, What God wants is to just love him and trust HIM.
michele says
I tend to worry about whether or not I’m doing a good enough job as a mother but what God wants me to do is enjoy my family and relax!
Becky J. says
I tend to worry about my children’s futures, when what God wants me to do is enjoy this day, this very moment I have with them…I have wasted soooo many days gone by worrying about the future….I know that fear and worry do NOT come from God and He speaks against worrying about tomorrow….I am 44 and it is still a battle for me!!
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says
I tend to worry about tomorrowbut what God intends me to do is to live for today.
Diane Bailey says
My mind can be my worst enemy. Wonderful insights on this blog. Thank you for sharing.
Barbara M. says
I didn’t worry as much when they were small as I do now sometimes; they are 19 and 16, and I worry about where they are, when they are driving, who they are with, even though I know most of their friends. They live part of the time at their dad’s house, a few days a week with me, I have no “control,” but I can pray. And pray I do! Daily, nightly, esp. now that they are out later and driving home in a busy, dangerous city.
My oldest has told my husband some of his really bad choices; choices which have changed his life forever…but I pray that he still learns and grows and keeps God close in his heart, even though I know God isn’t important to him now. Now that he’s a college student and a part-time firefighter, he thinks he knows more than I. So enjoy your little ones; they grow up to be men and women and sometimes they follow what we taught them and sometimes they don’t.
YKP says
I tend to worry about what others think of me and my family, but what God wants me to do instead is to think biblically.
Janet says
I tend to worry about my boy’s salvation but God wants me to trust in His perfect timing.
Christina Burrell says
“I tend to worry about having a clean house, but what God wants me to do instead is love and play with my children and not be so uptight.
Denise says
I tend to worry about doing everything “right”, but what God wants me to do instead is rely on Him to do my best and trust that He will work it all out for good.
Krissa says
Mine’s the same as one above…I tend to worry about getting everything done, but what God wants me to do instead is just love and spend time with my kids.
Lynette says
I tend to worry if I’m preparing my children well for their futures, but what God wants me to do instead is to rest in him.
Lindsey Bell says
I tend to worry that what I do is not enough, but what God wants me to do is to trust him with the future.
Suzanne says
I tend to worry about planning for the future, but what God wants me to do instead is trust that he has my future in His hands so I can enjoy the beauty of today.
Deborah says
I tend to worry if I am making the best future decisions for my children and I, but God keeps reminding me to rest in the peace that He is in control. I am in a domestic situation with upcoming court hearings
Carly says
I tend to worry about my girls’ safety, but what God wants me to do instead is have faith in His perfect plan for their lives.
MamadeTres says
I tend to worry about my three innocent kids’ future, but what God wants me to do instead is trust in what He has already done for us in the past.
Linda says
I tend to worry about the mistakes I have made, but what God wants me to do is to Trust Him with their past, present and future. There is nothing I can do about the past , but what God wants me to do is to forgive myself for any past mistakes I have made, and commit them daily to God and trust Him with their future.
Melissa Jones says
I tend to worry about future conflict, but God wants me to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Caroline Starr Rose says
Oh Jamie, I said that? I have no memory of this. I’m again amazed how words you’ve spoken and I’ve spoken have reached into our respective lives and touched them for the better. So very, very blessed to call you friend. xoxox
Joyce M says
I tend to worry about my girls being safe in everything they do, but what God wants me to do instead is to trust that He will hold them in His arms of love.
leandri says
I tend to worry about my inablities and shortcomings and how that will affect my kids in the long run, but what God wants me to do instead is lean back in His ALL sufficient grace. To rest IN Him and let Him rest ON me.
Janelle A. says
I tend to worry about the outside world corrupting and hurting my daughter, but what God wants me to do instead is lean on Him and trust His guidance in her life.
Nikki says
I tend to worry that I am messing up my children greatly, but God wants me to trust Him and believe He loves them more than I do!
Rachel says
I tend to worry about making the “right” decision or making sure things happen the “right” or “best” way, but what God wants me to do instead is remember that He’s more interested in my relationship with Him, with the process, than with the product I’m able to create or what I’m able to accomplish.
(What Nicki posted is a close second, though!)
Monica says
I tend to worry that I’m not enough, but what God wants me to do is rest in Him so that He is enough.
Jennifer says
I tend to worry about if I’m doing everything right but what God intends me to know that what I’m doing is good enough.
Kaitlin says
I tend to worry about things that are out of my control anyways, but what God wants me to do instead is depend 100% on Him.
RJB says
I tend to worry about the future, but what God wants me to do instead is rest in trust of Him and His plans!
Deanna says
I tend to worry about money and being able to provide opportunities for my kids, but what God wants me to do instead is to trust in Him to provide exactly what my family needs.
Anonymous says
I tend to worry about the past and the future, but What God wants me to do instead is to live in the now.
Christine says
Oops, hit submit before adding my name!
Mel says
I tend to worry about the safety of my children but what God wants me to do instead is focus on His sovereignty and remember that He will provide me with the strength I need to get through anything.
Anna says
I tend to worry about how my children view me, but what God wants me to do is remind myself of the Truth of how He views me.
Casie says
I tend to worry that I am going to mess my kids up for life in some unknown way or because of my responses. God want me to trust Him and learn to walk in the Spirit.
Jessica says
I tend to worry that I’m not exposing our kids to enough of the ‘fun activities’ the world has to offer, but what God wants me to do instead is remember if I offer them myself and Christ’s love each day they are exposed to a life of true joy.
Kristina says
I tend to worry about “ruining” my kids by being a bad mom, but what God wants me to do instead is trust Him to shape my children – and me.”
Jessica says
I tend to worry about too many things to list!!! That is sad to admit. I know God wants me to trust in Him. I need to cast all my cares upon Him. Thank you for the reminder!
Erin says
I tend to worry about my mistakes, failures and weaknesses , but what God wants me to do instead is rest in the TRUTH of the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ. Its so hard to apply this knowledge to my life, pray for that!
Jessica Mumford says
I tend to worry about funding our adoption of Ethiopian siblings, but God tells me to simply pray and trust!
Alaina says
I tend to worry about how I will cope if I have to move again, but what God wants me to do instead is trust that I will have what I need provided (friends, community, strength, etc)
Jessica says
I tend to worry that my shortcomings as a mother will ruin my children but God wants me to trust Him when He picked me for this job! He will equip me to meet their needs,
Hetty says
I tend to worry about not making enough of a difference in the world, but God wants me to
Just stay in the present & give my best to what’s real & in front of me – especially my family & those with whom I work.
Sharon says
I tend to worry about repeating the past but God tells me “go forth”.
Cori says
I tend to worry about being too tired to make
It through the day with a toddler and a new newborn but God wants me to rely on his strength instead of focusing on how tired I am.
Diana says
I tend to worry about getting everything done (and having the energy to!), but I know God wants me to rest in Him instead.
Julia says
I tend to worry about how my husband’s relationship with our son with autism will progress as our son gets older, but God wants me to trust in His mercy and His ability to bring the healing love of the holy Trinity into our family relationships.
Monika says
I tend to worry about the progress in school my three adopted children have,because they learned so late how to read and to write, but God wants me to believe in their capacities.
Katheryn F says
I tend to worry about being perfect, but God wants me to find His grace instead!
Katheryn F.
http://www.outoftheboring.com
Eliz. K says
I tend to worry about the future for my little family, but God wants me to trust Him (the author and care-taker of that future) instead.
Steph says
I tend to worry about my inability to protect my children adequately, but God wants me to trust Him for discernment and grace through whatever He ordains,
Sarah says
“I tend to worry about whether I’ll have any time for myself, but what God wants me to do instead is serve others and seek my rest in Him.”