GRANITE VEIN

This post is to document and share with you what I learned from Lysa TerKeurst's Mommy Stress sharing just so that it can serve as a reminder for me in the future.  Also I want to document this just in case the recording will be deleted, archived, or moved to a different place that I can no longer access it.  :-)


Illustration: Granite Vein

Lysa talked about her new installed granite countertop that had something that looked like a crack or gap.  She was disappointed.  It looked like an eye sore to her.


When she called the store, the representative told her that what she saw was NOT a crack.  It was rather the granite vein.  And the vein is good to have on the granite because it indicates that it's an authentic granite.

[Click to enlarge]

Granite vein that looks like a crack or gap in Lysa's story

Granite vein can also look like a burn mark like this one at our home

Things that encourage me:

• We, moms, sometimes build the stability of our identity on the fragile choices of our children
• And when we do have bad moments (in parenting), we easily think of ourselves as a bad mom
• Each one of us has that "crack" or "gap" just like the granites do
• And our eyes tend to be drawn into that "crack" more than to focus on the entirety of the beauty, strength, and authenticity of the granite itself
• Sometimes the "crack" could be small; sometimes it could be big
• However, do NOT let the "crack" define who we are, label us, and impact our relationship with our kids (and spouse)
• Let the "crack" be the call to action through prayer to God
• Ask God to be our "portion" and fill that "crack" or "gap" for us
• Just because we just had a bad moment, that does NOT mean we are a bad mom
• As a mom, we shall focus on adding the QUALITY of our children's life and not the quantity as God has already numbered their days
• Our anxiety does not add or reduce the days God has numbered for us and our children
• Sometimes we as moms want to write the story for our kids no matter how old they are, what situation they are in, etc
• Be courageous enough to let God write our children's testimony

"My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:26

Though the sharing is more about parenting, I believe that this can also serve as a reminder for other parts of our relationships (with our spouse, family, friends, etc).  So I hope this encourages and challenges you as it did for me.


And to all moms who read this, if no one has told you yet lately, let me tell you that "You're doing AMAZING!!!!"

If you'd like to listen to Lysa's 25-minute recording, click here.