. As a mother, I’ve experienced the incredible joy and fulfillment of raising children, but also the intense challenges and stress that come with it. I try to keep the house picked up, but sometimes it feels like a hurricane has swept through. Breakfast dishes pile up, spills happen, and my sons love to make forts out of all our pillows and blankets. In those moments, I feel overwhelmed. . Some thoughts that run through my head are: I’ll never have a clean house. I’m depressed. I can’t do this. I give myself about 60 seconds to think this way, then I purposefully stop myself. When I choose to think different thoughts, my mood immediately changes. . I’ve learned that I have a choice in how I respond to the thoughts. I choose to focus on gratitude and joy instead of stress and negativity. When I start to feel down, here are two things I’ve found that are helpful. Scripture: “I can’t do this” is replaced with: “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). “I am depressed” is replaced with “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be … Continue reading How to Find Joy in the Mess of Motherhood