Motherhood has been teaching me lately that no matter how carefully I plan, kids are wildly unpredictable. Life unfolds on its own accord. As a mom, I’m learning that trying to force a moment into a shape I imagined usually leads to frustration. Instead, I’m practicing how to breathe, release the fear that rises in the hard moments, and remind myself: not everything is mine to control.

Because the truth is, in motherhood…

the unexpected is guaranteed.

There are days when everything feels like it’s unraveling — when one spill turns into four, the laundry never ends, someone suddenly gets sick, and the entire day flips upside down. And when that happens, dwelling on the “wrong turn” doesn’t help anyone. So I’m learning to take life as it comes, one moment at a time, adjusting, embracing, and sometimes laughing through the chaos.

Lately, I’ve been stretched thin by middle-of-the-night wakeups with my toddler — teething, nursing for comfort, needing me more than sleep. By the third or fourth wake-up, I’m exhausted before the sun even rises. Those are the extra large coffee cup mornings. And yet… even while tired, grace shows up.

Because motherhood has also been growing gratitude in me — deep, everyday gratitude.

After our season living in the bus — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stretched — I hold onto thankfulness much more closely. I praise God for the simplest things:

• warm food

• a washer and dryer

• a home filled with space to breathe

• older kids offering a helping hand

• morning sunlight in the kitchen

• a moment to shower

• a nap that gives me time to create

• the beautiful way my children are growing

Every day with them is a gift — even the messy ones.

The truth grounding me right now is this:

Tomorrow is another day.

God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

On the hard days, that truth brings hope.

On the good days, it brings even more joy.

There’s always something to look forward to — always something new to notice, to savor, to thank God for.

And if another mama is reading this today…

I hope you feel a deep breath rise in your chest —

and a slow, peaceful exhale.

You’re doing enough.

You’re growing.

You’re not alone.

Just take it one day — one moment — at a time. 🤍