karin madden

  • Home
  • Sunrise With A Six Pack (Blog)
  • Meet Karin
    • Truth In The Details {4×4 of 4 things about me}
    • Hear My Story
    • Food Allergies
      • Recipes for the picky ones
  • 31 Days Series
    • 31 Days of God’s Promises
    • 31 Days of Good Deeds
    • 31 Days Of Walking The Path
  • Essential Oils
    • What’s The Deal With Essential Oils?
  • DIY
    • DIY Deodorant
    • DIY {easy} Facial Toner
    • DIY Liquid Laundry Detergent
  • Contact
  • Subscribe and Free e-book

October 24, 2013 by Karin 12 Comments

When We Begin To Get Over Ourselves

31 days of Good Deeds 31 Days of Good Deeds

(click here for the series)

~ Day 19 ~

I’ve been a mother for 12 years today.
Really, though, motherhood began 9 months before that (ok, we all know it’s actually 10).  When you carry the weight of the future on your bladder for any amount of time, you know the exact amount of time.  Down to the very minute.

What I didn’t know… the weight of the future was the very thing that would begin the release of the weight of my selfishness.

Motherhood.  The vessel He uses to get us over ourselves.

We enter into this place with a million preconceived notions of how we will play this whole thing out.  We step through the door holding this perfect breath from God and we think we might have a clue.  This is where it all begins.  We have no idea.  The thoughts in our minds give way to the crashing wave of pure love.  This love washes any idea of who we think we are… away.  We come face to face with someone we want to die for – again and again.  But, first, we have to die to ourselves.  And this is the rub.

The battle – my thoughts, my ideas, my wishes, my dreams collide… with His.

Holding tightly to the holy moment of birth is just the beginning of letting it all go.

This is when our hearts begin to take residence – outside of our bodies.  With each baby, over and over again, we die to ourselves… and open up to Him.  Only God would begin this slow and often painful death to our selfish natures through the birth of something so breathtakingly exquisite.  New life wrapped in the sweet aroma of innocence cradled in our unsuspecting arms.  The best of us is yet to come.

Sometimes, though, he lets us begin our journey into selfless love much earlier.  Sometimes He allows to exercise these muscles of you-before-me when we are much younger.  Perhaps even as young as 11… soon to be 12.

And, sometimes He surprises this unsuspecting mama with a story of an unselfish good deed.  A good deed that mama didn’t have to prompt or prod or produce.  Sometimes He lets us know we are doing this motherhood thing a little bit right.

It's always better with two

I was away on a trip (a small miracle in itself, thanks to my gold-hearted warrior).  Dad decided to take our six pack to a carnival.  The bravery in that task is another story entirely.

The pumpkins, rides, and treats thrilled this young crew of ours.  Most of all, of course, the rides and slides were mission number one.

Tickets bought, treats ingested, it was time.  The kids rode and squealed and lived it up.

Our four-year-old discovered quickly that some thrills look better from the ground up.

It’s too scary! I don’t like it!

Our red-headed summer warrior shrieked.

Sometimes bravery is just knowing what you’re not ready for.  And saying so.

Tickets dwindled and energy faded.

With only a handful of tickets left to thrill these little ones, my warrior offered them one more ride.

The big kids, ready to tackle the most thrilling ride, grabbed their chance and took off.

Our normally brave little summer girl exclaimed,

But, I want to go on those swings. I’m too scared of that ride.

Daddy stood holding the baby, knowing the only way she would go was with a companion.  We don’t really want to go this alone, do we?  It’s always better with two.

The kids want to ride that one, sweetie.

Then, the part that bursts a mama heart.  All these years of do-this-don’t-do-that-be-nice-share-love-each-other.  All the refereeing of siblings.  All the times of it’s-not-about-you.  Then, this one time.  It takes root… and I wasn’t even there.  I can’t take credit (but, I can give plenty to my warrior).  I can’t even begin to think it had anything to do with what I told my boy to do.  He just did it.  And my heart explodes.

I’ll go with her, dad.

C’mon, little sister, I’ll take you on the swings.

Now, the swings… they go round and round, not up nor down.  Pretty lame for an 11, almost 12-year-old.

They spun in circles, she squealed with glee, and my heart melts.

We teach and train and cajole and plead.  We bark and bellow and beg.  We hold and hug and pour ourselves out… day after day.  Then, God.  He gives us a glimpse.  A momentary whisper of,

Job well done.

The pouring out… from a big brother to a little sister.  This.  

This whole new soul dying to self and giving to love.  And my heart wholly fills.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:13

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 

Karin signature

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Related posts:

  1. Just When You Think They Don’t Hear You
  2. Why Don’t You Play More?
  3. Seeing the Fruit
  4. It All Counts Here
  5. When you feel like you have royally screwed up

Filed Under: A Day in the Life, Brothers and Sisters, Family, Good Deeds, Love, Motherhood, The Good Stuff, Together Tagged With: dying to self, family, motherhood, siblings

Comments

  1. April says

    October 24, 2013 at 4:33 am

    I sit here at 4:15 am reading this with a tear stained face. 38 weeks pregnant with my 5th blessing and unable to sleep, I read this message. The message of how God uses each of our little ones to help us die to ourselves. Then, your sweet boy, giving up his ride for his baby sister. Oh the joy we get as momma’s when we see our kids doing an act such as this. Yes, we are doing something right. Yes, they do see beyond themselves.

    Reply
    • Karin says

      October 24, 2013 at 12:58 pm

      Oh I wish I could hug you, April. Yes, they do see beyond themselves. Thanking God for every one of them. Hug your belly, girlfriend, you are doing something right. The best is yet to come. xo

      Reply
  2. Shannon Cochran says

    October 24, 2013 at 6:42 am

    Breathtaking post, dear Mama Karin.

    “Motherhood. The vessel God uses to get us over ourselves.” Aaamen.

    Praising God with you for the budding beauty of godly fruit, watered and rooted through tears and training. Fruit now blossoming in your Happy Birthday 12 year old swinging his squealing sister.

    Reply
    • Karin says

      October 24, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      Thank you so, sweet Shannon. You are a blessing and I love that we can be mothers-in-arms.

      Reply
  3. Daddy says

    October 24, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    You done good momma!

    Reply
    • Karin says

      October 24, 2013 at 1:17 pm

      And now my heart just really exploded. YOU are the best. Wow. Always surprising me, my warrior. I love you.

      Reply
  4. Beth says

    October 24, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    “Then, God. He gives us a glimpse. A momentary whisper…” Oh Karin I got goosebumps reading this. He has given me those glimpse’s…that momentary whisper. This was filled with all sorts of goodness.
    Many blessings to you.

    Reply
    • Karin says

      October 24, 2013 at 2:52 pm

      Thank you, Beth. You are so encouraging. I love the whispers from Him. I find myself waiting for them all the time, and He still catches me off guard. Bless you, friend.

      Reply
  5. Kathy Butler says

    October 24, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Karin

    Heartwarming! God’s gift of family is so amazing! <3

    Reply
    • Karin says

      October 24, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      Thank you, Kathy! Yes, family is just the greatest gift. Hugs to you!

      Reply
  6. Laura Passmore says

    October 24, 2013 at 11:33 pm

    Crying. So true, so heartwarming. Beautiful. It is what life is all about. Way to go, B. Way to go, Mama and Wee.
    Love to you all.

    Reply
    • Karin says

      October 25, 2013 at 1:16 am

      Yes, it IS what it’s all about. Thanks, beautiful mama. Love you so.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Karin

Hi! My name is Karin Madden. Writer. Warrior wife. Mom of six pack. Homeschooler. German-blooded southerner. Welcome to the place where I explore what it means to grow stronger - spirit, soul, and body. I write to inspire and encourage - to remind you we are not alone. By being bold with grace and speaking truth in love, we can become who we are meant to be. I'm glad you are here.

Connect With Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search the Sunrise

What I Write

Sunrise Archives

Pinning at Sunrise

Visit Karin's profile on Pinterest.

Recent Sunrise Posts

  • When You Have A Promise To Keep November 9, 2016
  • When You Are In The Secret Place April 21, 2016
  • When You Need To Hear – Do Not Be Afraid April 6, 2016
  • The One List We Need To Write January 1, 2016
  • The Dance May 29, 2015

Sunrise on Facebook

Sunrise on Facebook

Copyright © 2025 · Executive Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in