I was waiting for the twins to be born, caring for a toddler, and I was so scared. How was I going to care for three under three, two newborns and a toddler?
Three in diapers.
Three in car seats.
Three that would need me 24/7.
I was sharing my concerns with someone I then saw as a mentor. Her response?
“Heather, this is yours to figure out.”
I hope my face did not reveal the shock I felt inside. I shut down, became more guarded, and resigned myself to the idea that help was not coming and that I needed to do this alone.
I soon discovered that having three babies to care for was the easy part of my life. All hell broke loose six months later and I’ve been fighting for my family since...those babies kept me going when I would have rather given up.
And, I prayed I would NEVER forget to see young mamas.
Tired mamas.
Depressed mamas.
Lonely mamas.
Warrior mamas fighting secret battles.
I encourage you to LOOK!
SEE!
Some mama needs a kind word or deed, a night of free babysitting, a meal, free house cleaning, etc. If we all do a little, it will be enough!
And, mamas...ask for help when you need it and accept it when it is offered.
Three in diapers.
Three in car seats.
Three that would need me 24/7.
I was sharing my concerns with someone I then saw as a mentor. Her response?
“Heather, this is yours to figure out.”
I hope my face did not reveal the shock I felt inside. I shut down, became more guarded, and resigned myself to the idea that help was not coming and that I needed to do this alone.
I soon discovered that having three babies to care for was the easy part of my life. All hell broke loose six months later and I’ve been fighting for my family since...those babies kept me going when I would have rather given up.
And, I prayed I would NEVER forget to see young mamas.
Tired mamas.
Depressed mamas.
Lonely mamas.
Warrior mamas fighting secret battles.
I encourage you to LOOK!
SEE!
Some mama needs a kind word or deed, a night of free babysitting, a meal, free house cleaning, etc. If we all do a little, it will be enough!
And, mamas...ask for help when you need it and accept it when it is offered.
My counselor looked at me from across the room and spoke words that would forever change me.
"Heather, the best gift you can give your sons is your own healing."
At that time, I was sick, sick, sick.
Sick in my body.
Sick in my mind.
Sick in my spirit.
I was 41 years old and had endured abuse almost every day of my life.
She said her most common client demographic is women in their mid-thirties to mid-forties.
Why?
We take care of everyone else and neglect ourselves.
By this age, we are wounded, weary, and worn.
We simply cannot do all the things for all the people anymore.
She knew those words would motivate me like no other words, because she knew that my sons were...are...my greatest treasures on this earth.
Almost five years ago, I was stricken with a debilitating disease that put me flat on my back for months on end.
Those months turned to years of barely being able to function.
I could no longer care for my sons, I could no longer be creative in their homeschooling, I could no longer care for their basic needs, I could no longer volunteer for the ministries that I believed in, I could no longer stand up long enough to lead worship, I could no longer serve the ones I loved...
Through a series of events, I came to realize that my body wasn't the only broken part of me.
Suddenly, I was made aware of realities like C-PTSD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, gas-lighting, spiritual abuse, layered on top of a complicated medical diagnosis.
Separation and divorce.
Parental alienation and empty-nesting.
Betrayal.
The ones who were called to love me and stand by me walked out when I was at my lowest.
My body was broken.
My mind was broken.
My spirit was broken.
I heard her words that day and I decided I would do anything in my power to experience healing, for the sake of my precious boys and the generations to come.
I would do the hard work...the heart work...to welcome deliverance, restoration and freedom into my bloodline.
Several years have passed and I assure you, I am not the same person I was when I first walked into that counselor's office.
My body is stronger and healthier than it has been in 30 years.
My mind is focused and clear.
My spirit is alive.
I am grateful for each part of my journey.
The good.
The bad.
The ugly.
My pain is not in vain if it helps others gain their healing.
If you would like to learn more tips for every day living, join us on Facebook at Learn More About Health and Wellness.
If you are a Christian woman who is rebuilding after an abusive marriage, join us at Held & Healed, a beautiful community of survivors.
Check out my online coaching course, Rebuilding: Body, Mind & Spirit!
"Heather, the best gift you can give your sons is your own healing."
At that time, I was sick, sick, sick.
Sick in my body.
Sick in my mind.
Sick in my spirit.
I was 41 years old and had endured abuse almost every day of my life.
She said her most common client demographic is women in their mid-thirties to mid-forties.
Why?
We take care of everyone else and neglect ourselves.
By this age, we are wounded, weary, and worn.
We simply cannot do all the things for all the people anymore.
She knew those words would motivate me like no other words, because she knew that my sons were...are...my greatest treasures on this earth.
Almost five years ago, I was stricken with a debilitating disease that put me flat on my back for months on end.
Those months turned to years of barely being able to function.
I could no longer care for my sons, I could no longer be creative in their homeschooling, I could no longer care for their basic needs, I could no longer volunteer for the ministries that I believed in, I could no longer stand up long enough to lead worship, I could no longer serve the ones I loved...
Through a series of events, I came to realize that my body wasn't the only broken part of me.
Suddenly, I was made aware of realities like C-PTSD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, gas-lighting, spiritual abuse, layered on top of a complicated medical diagnosis.
Separation and divorce.
Parental alienation and empty-nesting.
Betrayal.
The ones who were called to love me and stand by me walked out when I was at my lowest.
My body was broken.
My mind was broken.
My spirit was broken.
I heard her words that day and I decided I would do anything in my power to experience healing, for the sake of my precious boys and the generations to come.
I would do the hard work...the heart work...to welcome deliverance, restoration and freedom into my bloodline.
Several years have passed and I assure you, I am not the same person I was when I first walked into that counselor's office.
My body is stronger and healthier than it has been in 30 years.
My mind is focused and clear.
My spirit is alive.
I am grateful for each part of my journey.
The good.
The bad.
The ugly.
My pain is not in vain if it helps others gain their healing.
If you would like to learn more tips for every day living, join us on Facebook at Learn More About Health and Wellness.
If you are a Christian woman who is rebuilding after an abusive marriage, join us at Held & Healed, a beautiful community of survivors.
Check out my online coaching course, Rebuilding: Body, Mind & Spirit!
