Growing up I never thought I wanted to be a mother. I didn’t like to babysit for friends or neighbors, I hadn’t ever changed a baby’s diaper until I was nearly 20 years old. How fortunate for me that I wasn’t the maker of plans. 

IMG_1988 “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,“plans to prosper you and not harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.”

– Jeremiah 29:11

Looking back I cannot imagine my life without my children. They are certainly not the only source of joy in my life, but God has taught me a great deal through the trials and tribulations of motherhood. It’s remarkable to me how it is much easier to make positive choices in our lives for the better of others, than it is for our own good. 

 

“We should never permit ourselves to do anything we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.” – Brigham Young

IMG_1991

Being a parent is a remarkable responsibility, but it is a far greater blessing than burden. Having a front row seat to the discovery, the triumphs, the lessons, the gifts that our children will experience is better than ANY victory we could achieve for ourselves. Having a hand in sending another human being out into the world to make a positive difference is inspiring! 

I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is.” – Oprah

IMG_1992

Parenting isn’t accidental, it must be done with purpose. It isn’t something that we are instantly good at, and parenting every child requires different talents and techniques. The expectations and consequences are the same or very similar, but how we teach them may differ. Some children are born pleasers and they will almost always put their best foot forward, others may challenge you even when they don’t doubt the lesson being taught. The key is to parent on purpose, not just call it a good day if they are fed and alive at sundown. Use each day as if their life depended on it, because it does! The amount of effort you put into your children has a direct correlation on how much they will have to offer the world! 

 

 

“Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day a month or a year, but for all eternity.” – Rose Kennedy

IMG_1990

Each year on Mother’s Day, I find myself overwhelmed with Gratitude. God has given me so much. Being a mother has brought to me tremendous blessings and through mothering, God has molded me into a better person than I would have been without the journey. I took some time this week to look back through pictures, previous posts, gifts and cards from my children and I was reminded of how VERY great being a mother is. It’s a difficult job, there is NO doubt about it, but the benefits FAR out way the challenges! 

I know without a doubt that my faith is stronger for having shared it with these little beings and I cherish every lesson, hurt, challenge, triumph and beautiful step along the way. I am blessed to have an AWESOME  partner in life, my husband and best friend makes me a better mother, friend, Christian, and woman. Darby, you have allowed me to see myself through YOUR eyes and your love has made me bloom! Thank you Taylor, Liam, Payton, Caden, Jackson and Darby Jr for ALL you have brought to my life! My prayer for each of you is that you will first and foremost keep your faith and that no matter what life throws your way, you will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are loved deeply and unconditionally! 

IMG_1987


IMG_1986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so should you love one another.” John 13:34

Blessings and Happy Mother’s Day!

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Traci Runge

Traci was born and raised in San Diego and has called Kearney, Nebraska home for the past 18 years. She is married to Darby Runge and together they have 6 children. They own and operate Pro-Tint, a window tinting business. Along with being a full-time mom, Traci is also a Manager and Certified Trainer with SendOutCards, she works with businesses and individuals to build relationships and grow their income through Relationship Marketing. Traci works hard to balance her roles of mother, wife and business owner. She strives to help make the world a better place through kindness and love and leading by example. Traci is committed to her family, church and community and can often be found volunteering in some capacity. www.sendoutcards.com/tracirunge

A Big Family Can Mean Big Feelings

In: Faith, Kids, Motherhood
Family with many kids holding hands on beach

I’m a mother of six. Some are biological, and some are adopted. I homeschool most of them. I’m a “trauma momma” with my own mental health struggles. My husband and I together are raising children who have their own mental illnesses and special needs. Not all of them, but many of them. I battle thoughts of anxiety and OCD daily. I exercise, eat decently, take meds and supplements, yet I still have to go to battle. The new year has started slow and steady. Our younger kids who are going to public school are doing great in their classes and...

Keep Reading

Motherhood Never Stops, and Neither Does My God

In: Faith, Motherhood
Daughter kisses mother on cheek

I’m standing in the shower rinsing the conditioner out of my hair with a toddler babbling at my feet, running through this week’s dinner menu in my head. “Hmm, this meal would be better suited for this day, so what should we do instead?” or “Maybe we should save that for next week since it’s easy and we will be busy with baseball starting back up. I can work something in that may take more effort in its place.” Being a wife and mother, running a household, it’s about the small moments like this. There’s something about it that is...

Keep Reading

So God Made a Sunday School Teacher

In: Faith, Living
Woman sitting at table surrounded by kids in Sunday school class, color photo

God looked around at all He had created, and He knew He would need someone to teach His children. So God made a Sunday school teacher. God knew He needed someone with a heart and desire to teach children God’s word. God knew the children would act up and made Sunday school teachers with patience and grace to guide them when they step out of line in class. He also made Sunday school teachers with a touch of discretion to know when the stories of a child may be real or imagined. God knew this person would need to be...

Keep Reading

But God, I Can’t Forgive That

In: Faith, Marriage
Woman holding arms and walking by water

Surrender is scary. Giving in feels like defeat. Even when I know it’s the right thing, yielding everything to God is scary. It also feels impossible. The weight of all I’m thinking and feeling is just so dang big and ugly. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes I cling so tightly to my fear I don’t even recognize it for what it is. Bondage. Oppression. Lack of trust. Oh, and then there’s that other thing—pride. Pride keeps me from seeing straight, and it twists all of my perceptions. It makes asking for help so difficult that I forget that...

Keep Reading

Dear Dad, I Pray for Our Healing

In: Faith, Grief, Grown Children
Back shot of woman on bench alone

You are on my mind today. But that’s not unusual. It’s crazy how after 13 years, it doesn’t feel that long since I last saw you. It’s also crazy that I spend far less time thinking about that final day and how awful it was and spend the majority of the time replaying the good memories from all the years before it. But even in the comfort of remembering, I know I made the right decision. Even now, 13 years later, the mix of happy times with the most confusing and painful moments leaves me grasping for answers I have...

Keep Reading

God Redeemed the Broken Parts of My Infertility Story

In: Faith, Grief, Loss, Motherhood
Two young children walking on a path near a pond, color photo

It was a Wednesday morning when I sat around a table with a group of mamas I had just recently met. My youngest daughter slept her morning nap in a carrier across my chest. Those of us in the group who held floppy babies swayed back and forth. The others had children in childcare or enrolled in preschool down the road. We were there to chat, learn, grow, and laugh. We were all mamas. But we were not all the same. I didn’t know one of the mom’s names, but I knew I wanted to get to know her because she...

Keep Reading

God Has You

In: Faith, Motherhood
Woman hugging herself while looking to the side

Holding tight to the cold, sterile rail of the narrow, rollaway ER bed, I hovered helplessly over my oldest daughter. My anxious eyes bounced from her now steadying breaths to the varying lines and tones of the monitor overhead. Audible reminders of her life that may have just been spared. For 14 years, we’d been told anaphylaxis was possible if she ingested peanuts. But it wasn’t until this recent late autumn evening we would experience the fear and frenzy of our apparent new reality. My frantic heart hadn’t stopped racing from the very moment she struggled to catch a breath....

Keep Reading

My Husband Having a Stroke at 30 Wasn’t in Our Plans

In: Faith, Living
Husband and wife, selfie, color photo

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) This verse in the book of Jeremiah has long been a favorite of mine. In fact, it’s felt relevant across many life events. Its simple, yet powerful reminder has been a place of solace, perhaps even a way to maintain equilibrium when I’ve felt my world spinning a bit out of control. In this season of starting fresh and new year intentions, I find great comfort in knowing...

Keep Reading

She Left Him on Valentine’s Day

In: Faith, Marriage
Husband kissing wife on cheek, color photo

“Can you believe that?” Those were the dreaded knife-cutting whispers I heard from across the table. I sunk deeper into my chair. My hopes fell as everyone would forever remember that I had left my fiancée on Valentine’s Day. Maybe one day it would just dissipate like the dream wedding I had planned or the canceled plane tickets for the Hawaiian honeymoon. Some bridesmaids and guests had already booked plane tickets. It was my own nightmare that kept replaying in my head over and over again. I had messed up. Big time. To be honest, if it made any difference,...

Keep Reading

God was In the Room for Our Daughter’s Open Heart Surgery

In: Faith, Motherhood
Child's hand with IV

I’ve had a strong faith for as long as I can remember, but I always felt bad that I never had a “testimony.” I had never gone through something that made me sit back and say, “Wow, God is real, He is here.” I have always felt it to my core, but no moment had ever stopped me dead in my tracks to where there was no denying that it was God. And then, that moment happened to me on December 5. After five months of fervently praying for a miracle for our daughter, the day came for her heart...

Keep Reading