Guest Post: Mandy from She Breathes Deeply

Mandy is the author of one of my favorite blogs She Breathes Deeply. It was one of the very first blogs I ever started reading and I loved following her journey through her first pregnancy this time last year! I'm excited to have her guest post on my blog, so without further ado...

Hi, all!  My name is Mandy and I run a blog called "She Breathes Deeply."  I am a new(ish) mama to a little girl named Lily, and wife to a wonderful man named Kyle.  So, in honor of Noelle expecting her first baby, I thought I would share some thoughts on how my life has changed since becoming a mom.

Nothing in the world can prepare you for becoming a mother.  I nannied, babysat, and had friends with small children.  I thought I was the expert on having babies and raising children.  Ha!  Having my daughter helped me realize how little I knew.  I never would have imagined my heart could grow in love so much for such a little person.  I never knew how humbled, overwhelmed, frustrated, and overjoyed I would become- all at once.  

Having a child has taught me how to embrace "messy."  Not just messy in a physical sense, but in all aspects of life.  Before having my daughter, my life was pretty uptight and put together… at least somewhat.  Having a child has made me let go of my preconceived notions of who I should be, what I should look like, and how others should view me.  It has made me fall flat on my face before my Maker, and seek HIS strength like I never have before.  Becoming a mom has made my flaws a lot more apparent, but it has also made me a much stronger individual.  

When you first have a baby, it does feel like you loose your identity somewhat.  That is understandable; every waking moment is dedicated to taking care of someone else.  I went through a kind of grieving period for a while, feeling like I had lost my identity entirely, all the while feeling insanely guilty that I was wanting an identity along side of being a Mama.  

But here is the truth:  you do loose your identity somewhat when you become a mother… and you gain a whole new AMAZING purpose.  No, I don't have the time I used to spend pursuing some of my hobbies… But becoming a mother has made me a better person, and it has helped me narrow down my pursuits to what the Lord has called me to do (which is to be a mommy, a wife, and to teach Christian Yoga).  I feel much more focused these days.  

Beyond re-purposing my identity, I have found my identity deeply rooted in Christ since becoming mother.  When I have been at the end of my rope, I have found my redemption in falling into Jesus's arms and embracing His peace that surpasses all understanding.  

So, to wrap things up… Motherhood is such a gift… It can be painful, and it can be beautiful.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

-Mandy

www.shebreathesdeeply.com