«In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you» (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Becky Keife is an American mother and writer. I had the privilege of interviewing her to talk about motherhood and gratitude. Becky has three sons: Noah, Elias, and Jude. After she became a mother, Becky noticed that she often felt completely overwhelmed. «l felt alone and insecure. I wondered if God had made a mistake in giving me three boys. I was convinced that another woman would do a better job than me,» she confessed. Becky was so overwhelmed that she no longer felt gratitude and happiness, but exhaustion. «l realized that although I was not complaining audibly, I had very negative internal dialogues. There was a record in my mind that I repeated: This is too hard. I don’t have enough time. I don’t have enough energy. I had three children in three and a half years. I felt that I had lost myself in their needs, that I was a breastfeeding, washing, and cooking machine.» After reflecting on this, she realized that her attitude was part of the problem. «Motherhood is difficult, I don’t want to minimize this, but having a victim mindset doesn’t help. Our attitude can completely transform the experience!»
Becky decided to start practicing gratitude. She did not deny the challenges or pretend that everything was perfect, but appreciated the beauty of the moment. «l began to be thankful for the leftovers of yesterday’s dinner so I didn’t have to cook today; for the fragrance of my baby just out of the bath . . . And I discovered that unless I slowed down and thanked God at the time, the stress of the day would rob me of those details. I began to write them in my prayer journal, and over time, gratitude changed my life.»
Becky realized that God was inviting her to give thanks in difficult times, to use gratitude as a counter-attack weapon. When she felt tired and hadn’t slept enough, God invited her to give thanks for what she did have: a plate of food. When she didn’t have time to answer all her emails, she could give thanks for the two she had managed to answer. The more intentional she was in her gratitude, the more God filled her with joy and energy, because «exhaustion is an opportunity to experience the power of God.»
Dear Lord, when I feel I am collapsing because of the demands of the day or am tempted to adopt a victim mindset, help me to slow down and appreciate the blessings.
#WomensDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Perez & Angelica Cuate
