Be You, Bravely.

So the theme of this years MOPS is "Be you, bravely."

And I'm not lying when I tell you that this phrase may be one that has influenced me the most this far in my life.

I don't know about you, but the idea that I can be who I am bravely, and the freedom that comes with accepting yourself "flaws", baby weight, stretch marks and all is so....amazing. Its like a breath of fresh air. 

You see, I'm guessing that if you are like me, then you aren't always happy with how you look or act or maybe you are super self conscious when you see women or moms that look like they have it all together. 

But can I tell you a secret? 

You are unique and so very very beautiful. I really mean that. Because you see, your "flaws" don't change your worth. And just because someone may be better in certain areas than you, doesn't mean that you shouldn't be who you are. 

For example, there are a few mom bloggers that I absolutely adore following, and sometimes when I start drafting another post or think about my own blog, I start feeling really inadequate. I start psyching myself out thinking that I'm not nearly as wonderful a writer or a mom and what can I say that people haven't already heard a million times? 

But this idea of being who I am and doing it bravely is helping me to accept myself and realizing my own self worth. 

Just because I don't have a few hundred or thousand followers or write in a way where it feels like we are face to face doesn't mean that I am any less of a writer or that I should stop doing what I love because someone else is better at it. I can, and should, still do what I love and be who I am.

You see, I believe that this phrase "Be You, Bravely" is about you bravely getting over your self consciousness and fears and being who you are. Because we all know that as women we tend to be our own worst enemy.

So that is why this phrase has been so important to me. I'm finally starting to be me, bravely. And my dear friends, I hope that this encourages you to accept yourself and Be You, Bravely.

Xoxo,

Samantha

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess is the name of the MOPS theme this year... I also feel as though it's the description of my life. 

Let me elaborate a little. In MOPS we are told that each woman is beautiful, as is her story. Even though our lives and our day to day may be messy, we are still beautiful and we should embrace our "Beautiful Mess." 

Sometimes..well almost all the time, I feel like a mess. My backstory isn't a typical christian upbringing, it isn't neat and clean and wrapped with a bow and neither is my marriage. Oh and motherhood definitely isn't either..incase you thought otherwise. I think that I have touched more boogers, swallowed more drool, also have seen and smelled more poop than I ever have in my 22 years of existence! 

I do have to admit though, that it is all worth it. Everything. All the sleepless nights, dirty diapers, all the dirty dishes and spilt formula. To hear my daughter giggle when we play with her, to see her light up when I walk in the room, everything is worth that. Especially now that she is starting to say Mom!!! (I'm only a little excited if you can't tell..)

So what about you my friend?
What about your beautiful mess? Will you accept that your life might not be neat and disinfected? Can you recognize that your life is a beautiful mess, that you are treasured even though you aren't perfect? Perfection isn't our end goal. 

The reason we are on this earth isn't to be the perfect daughter, wife, or mother. It isn't to be the best neighbor, best baker, or coolest kid on the block. We are called to know Christ and to seek Him. 

So what about your story? When you look back at it do you recognize it for what it is? A Beautiful Mess, a story that is just as beautiful as you are. 

xoxo

Samantha