Nancy M. - Breathe Deeply, Live Fully

 

My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done.

My mother taught me about religion; "You better pray that comes out of the carpet."

My mother taught me about time travel; “I’ll smack you into next week!”

My mother taught me about irony; “Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about.”

My mother taught me about genetics; “You’re just like your father.”

My mother taught me about anticipation; “Just wait until your father gets home.”

My mother taught me about justice; “One day you're going to have kids, and I pray they turn out to be just like you.”

 

It is okay to laugh.  It is good to laugh.  We have to laugh, and sometimes we have to laugh at ourselves.

 

Nancy is originally from the area in the US called the “Bible Belt”, which includes Oklahoma – her home state.  She also spent some time in Arizona where, at times, it's hot and humid and you can't breathe deeply without hurting.

 

During her second pregnancy, Nancy learned that she had asthma.  Asthma is a disorder that intermittently causes shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, and is suffered by more than twenty million people in the United States.  Later Nancy would learn that her third child also has asthma.  Breathing deeply isn't always easy, but it is necessary.

 

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. “  --Corrie Ten Boom

 

So when things get tense, breathe deeply and trust your engineer.  It will get better.

 

What does it mean to live fully?  Do not let any enemy steel the joy you have in living fully.  We are all mothers; we are mothers to our own children, yes, even to the children of others.  We are always mothers.  In order to live fully we have to relax, enjoy our family, and embrace motherhood.

 

Some of us are in a marriage that struggles. You might wonder, “how do I live fully”?  You put God first, family second, and you will live abundantly happy.  It won't always be roses, but we are here to support one another.  We (MOPS moms, mentors) are here to give you help; don't try to be the super mom.  Enjoy your family and laugh.  If you can laugh, you can see a way out, and you need to know that there is someone on the other side holding His (God’s) hand out for you.

 

MOPS is a safe haven for you.  You are always welcome here, and there is always someone here you can go to.

 

To close, Nancy shares this thought from Deuteronomy 4:9 (in the New International Version of the Bible); “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

 

Don't forget to tell stories.  Tell your kids what it was like growing up for you, even if it wasn't the best.

 

Dear Lord, Thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will someday be old.  Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.  Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.  Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy.  With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest, Lord, that I must have a few friends at the end.    --Ruth Bell Graham