A Gift for Mom! 🤍

I’ve Been There, Embattled Mama—Hang On

In: Motherhood

3 Minute Read

By Melanie Mogensen

Woman pushing IV pole — Image via Melanie Mogensen

I’ve been there, mama.

Sitting at the side of my child’s hospital bed, praying for a miracle.

I’ve been there.

Holding my loved one’s hand as they took their last earthly breath.

I’ve been there.

Watching helplessly as the surgeons wheeled my loved one away to have life-saving, emergency surgery.

I’ve been there, too.

RELATED: To the Moms Who Conquered Cancer

Lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to a cocktail of chemotherapy drugs, hoping with all my might this treatment will be the one that helps me reach remission.

So many times, my reality has felt like something I should be watching on TV, not experiencing in real life.

Like when I had to place my 4-month-old daughter’s life in the hands of a surgeon to repair a gaping hole in her heart when it was only the size of a walnut.

Or when I had to watch as the love of my life was wheeled away into 14-hour brain surgery to carefully remove an AVM in his brain that was threatening his life.

Or just three years ago when I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer right before the holidays.

I’ve been there, mama.

When all seems to be going wrong.

I’ve doubted my faith and my place in this world, too.

But throughout my life, I’ve also witnessed the impossible become possible.

All these real-life health emergencies have taught me life sometimes life hands us grenades.

RELATED: For the Sorrowful Heart When Struggle Seems Too Much to Bear: This Too Shall Pass

Life as we know it can be turned upside down in an instant.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but I’ve learned we can always control how we respond.

Navigating the uncertainty that comes with chronic illness and cancer has helped me remain calm in a crisis.

My journey has taught me that sometimes things have to fall apart, so they can come together better in the end.

Being pushed to my limits and coming face to face with death has brought me closer to my faith.

I’ve found many times, it’s the things that wound us the deepest that lead us to the most profound healing.

Although sometimes we doubt our own strength and ability to survive what’s in front of us, knowing others have walked this difficult road and survived, gives us hope we can too.

While I don’t know your story, our struggle is likely the same.

I’m here to tell you it will get better.

It may not be today or tomorrow, but things will change.

RELATED: Tragedy Changes You, But it Doesn’t Have To Ruin You

Bad things happen.

Emergencies and crises affect us all.

But things can always change for the better.

When you’re lost for words and what to do next,

Hang on to the hope that rises with each breath.

I’ve been there, mama but I’m HERE now.

And I’m so glad you are too.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Order Now!

Melanie Mogensen

Melanie Mogensen is a writer, wife, and mother of three who knows all too well how life can change in an instant. From becoming a young mom in her early 20s to managing twins and battling cancer, she is no stranger to adversity and God’s grace. Two years ago, in the middle of her own struggle with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she began sharing her story to help cope and let others know that even the most difficult times there is always hope and something to be grateful for. Check out more on her blog hopefulwarrior.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

In: Motherhood

For most of my life, I believed becoming a stay-at-home mom wasn’t just a choice, it was the ultimate goal. The kind of life a “good” woman was meant to want. The kind of life that meant you were doing things right. I grew up surrounded by that message. In conservative spaces, in church circles, in subtle conversations about what a “real” mother looked like. Women who stayed home were praised. Women who didn’t were quietly questioned. I learned, without ever being directly told, that a mother’s highest purpose was to center her entire world around her children and her...

Keep Reading

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

In: Motherhood, Teen

I was not prepared to be a mother of teenagers. Sure, I was warned by other parents about the difficult journey I was about to embark on, but I did not expect it to be this challenging. I remember these two sweet, innocent children who wanted to be with me all the time. Now they barely give me the time of day. How did we get here? Like many parents, we long to have that child who once, a long time ago, called us Mommy and Daddy and begged us to read them another story. Where are those kids I...

Keep Reading

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

In: Faith, Living, Motherhood

Praying for My Son Send a storm to stop him; Let his friends throw him out. May he drop to the deeps, But gently, please, Stubborn though he may be. If it could only take three days, How my mother’s heart would Rejoice in praise. From the hell you allow him, Let him cry to you. Is not Nineveh and mercy Exactly what he knows He needs— A mercy on enemies He fears You will concede? Please let all the shade wither If his is an angry soul; Humble him and help him follow Where you would have his purpose...

Keep Reading

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

In: Motherhood

It’s only the second week of summer, and, thanks to modern-day social media, I feel like I’ve already seen it all. Picture-perfect beach getaways, color-coded bucket lists, backyard neighborhood movie nights, you name it. And if I’m being honest, I’ve already caught myself wondering if I’m doing enough. More than once, at that. As a solo mom of two, I’m still adjusting to our new norm while trying desperately to delicately let go of any expectations tied to all of our past experiences…including summer vacations. I’m reminding myself that our summers won’t look like they used to. At least not...

Keep Reading

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

In: Baby, Motherhood

I’m not breastfeeding my baby. I wanted to. And I was able to for the first several weeks of her life. But as the days went on, I could tell it wasn’t enough for her anymore, so we started supplementing. And sure enough, without warning, she began screaming through nursing sessions, but was satisfied with a bottle. And that’s when I knew what I needed to do. A similar situation also happened with my first. She didn’t gain her birth weight back on my milk alone, so I had no choice but to supplement right away. And before I knew...

Keep Reading

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

In: Motherhood

When my last sibling moved out of the house, I watched my mom struggle in a quiet, almost unspoken way. It wasn’t something dramatic or visible; it was something I could feel in her presence. For 40 years, her life had revolved around taking care of us—my siblings and me. Every season of her life had been shaped around our needs, our schedules, our milestones, and our growing up. Being a mom wasn’t just something she did. It was who she was—the structure of her days, the cadence of her thoughts, and the center of her purpose. So when the...

Keep Reading

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

In: Living, Marriage, Motherhood

I’ve written several times about how divorce has allowed me to find myself again, and how that version is even better than the one I was before I was married. All of that is still true. I am happier than I’ve ever been. More confident and sure of myself. I understand my emotions and how to handle myself when things get tough or scary. I am more grounded and calm than I’ve ever been. Truly, I have come out on top. I’ve received comments about how happy I look, how I’m “living my best life with kids only half the...

Keep Reading

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

In: Baby, Motherhood

Woman looking through closet of baby items

It’s easy to think of multiple sayings and mottos about how invaluable earthly possessions are. “It’s not what you have, but who you share it with” “Worry less about things and more about experiences” “Who cares what you have, you can’t take it with you when you go” And trust me, I know these to be true. I am not a hoarder of hotel pens or mini shampoo bottles or every receipt and coaster from my favorite restaurants. I don’t care much for name-brand shoes or designer purses, yet there are a few things I just can’t easily let go...

Keep Reading

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

In: Motherhood

Vintage photo of mother and three young kids

We moved a few years ago, and we had a closet that needed some reworking. In doing so, my husband found some old photos. He pulled out an album that held this vintage photo of my mom, my sisters, and me. It was probably circa 1983 when prints were made from Kodak. I actually don’t remember seeing the photo before. But I love it. In the photo, my mother’s eyes are shut with a blink because those were the days when blinks weren’t edited. It’s beautiful, and I can’t stop thinking about the captured connection. She was showing us something...

Keep Reading

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

In: Motherhood

When I was pregnant with my son, everyone warned me of what was to come. “Just you wait,” they’d say with an underlying schadenfreude, “you’ll never sleep again.” I fully expected sleep-deprived days and long, unrelenting nights, calming my son down from tantrums, trying to keep the peace with my marriage. But I got lucky—my son sleeps through the night, doesn’t throw tantrums, and my marriage is stronger than ever. I didn’t expect that, especially because I struggle with my own mental health and assumed I’d be in the weeds during my postpartum period. Now that my son is almost...

Keep Reading

I'm Giving My Kids an '80s Summer

Kids

I'm Giving My Kids an '80s Summer

Learning to Live Without My Mom is the Hardest Thing I've Ever Done

Grief

I’ve Been There, Embattled Mama—Hang On

RELATED: To the Moms Who Conquered Cancer

So many times, my reality has felt like something I should be watching on TV, not experiencing in real life.

I’ve been there, mama.

RELATED: For the Sorrowful Heart When Struggle Seems Too Much to Bear: This Too Shall Pass

We can’t always control what happens to us, but I’ve learned we can always control how we respond.

While I don’t know your story, our struggle is likely the same.

RELATED: Tragedy Changes You, But it Doesn’t Have To Ruin You

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Melanie Mogensen

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

I’ve Been There, Embattled Mama—Hang On

So many times, my reality has felt like something I should be watching on TV, not experiencing in real life.

I’ve been there, mama.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but I’ve learned we can always control how we respond.

While I don’t know your story, our struggle is likely the same.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

Previous Post

Next Post

You May Also Like