Moms, Do These Things Cause Our Joy?

What might we think brings joy in motherhood - but really doesn't. . .what might we mistakenly believe is necessary before we "find" joy? These things can affect our perceived happiness and our feelings of satisfaction or security, but really cannot make us joyful.

• Does our good or bad "performance" as mothers make or break our joy? Are you in a stage of mothering where you are feeling really good about the job you are doing, thinking this is the source of your joy in motherhood? That is a precarious position, destined for a fall at some point. Are you at a stage where you think you are doing a terrible job as a mother? Our effort and achievement do not bring lasting joy.
• Do we believe if only we could be more organized, better housekeepers, or had more help from husbands or grandmothers . . . then we would be joyful?
• Do we think if our kids were better behaved, more cheerful, more helpful - perhaps more like someone else's kids . . . then we would be joyful?
• Do we think if our house was more beautiful or bigger or had more storage or was in a better neighborhood . . . then we would be joyful?
• How about more willpower and self-discipline . . . would we then be joyful?
• Does our joy depend on our feeling good and secure in regard to money, health, joy, future outlook?
• Does our joy depend on having life proceed according to our plan? Or having others approve of us?
• Will the small and large stressors of life (inevitable) prevent our joy?

Lasting Joy is a gift of God and a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is from him and through him and a response to him in motherhood and all of life.

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