“We all feel the heat”
God, there are days when I get this all so wrong.
Welcome to the Mothering Spirit newsletter! Each Saturday morning, you’ll receive a round-up of the week’s posts—perfect for your weekend reading.
This week on Mothering Spirit
Jess Rozga-DeBoni speaks truth about anger in motherhood: “The anger that can throw cutting words without intention is the same anger that is used to encourage others, to show up fully in word and song, advocating for safety, creativity, and inclusion for all.”
Kimberly Iglesia prays (in both Spanish and English) for forgiveness after lost tempers: “God, there are days when I get this all so wrong...Help us show each other grace and compassion."
In Friday’s resource round-up, we asked readers: What do you do with your anger as a mother?
Share your answers here.
Want to help support & grow Mothering Spirit? Find out more here.
Join us on retreat!
Did you hear our big news? Mothering Spirit is offering its first virtual retreat on Nov. 4-6. Sing A New Song: A Birth Story Retreat invites you to pray through your birth story in the light of faith.
Through live sessions on Zoom, optional small groups, and our retreat e-book full of Scripture, prayers, and resources to help you reflect on your experiences of birth, you’ll get the chance to bring this sacred story to God.
Learn more here and check out our FAQs. (Patrons at the $10/month level get 20% off the virtual retreat, so if you’d like to join our Patreon for a month, the math works for a great discount!)
From our sponsors
This week’s sponsor of Mothering Spirit is Brazos Press, publisher of Rewilding Motherhood by Shannon K. Evans. Mothers long to experience a rich inner life, but they rarely feel there is enough time, energy, or stillness to connect with God in a meaningful way. Rewilding Motherhood helps mothers see the challenges of motherhood as an opportunity for a vibrant feminine spirituality and a deeper knowledge of God and self.
Readers respond
Which parenting moments give you perspective on what matters most?
I parent a highly sensitive 21-month little lady who constantly needs to move her body. My little lady is often too busy to snuggle with me...she's constantly on the move and very independent!
Last night Hurricane Ian rolled by my city. Thankfully there wasn't any serious damage or devastation near my home but there were some trees down in the surrounding area. We lost power for a part of the day, and often the lights continued to flicker as we heard the loud sounds of the wind and rain outside. My daughter Rosalie was on edge for much of the afternoon and evening and she was afraid to go near the windows. She would nervously say "Storm! Storm!" and "Rain! Rain!” She was scared, and I could see it in her little eyes and her little body.
Like I mentioned—she is usually not very cuddly and is often too busy for long hugs... but last night she clung to me and I was her safe spot. I held her close as her little arms wrapped around me. There was one point where she didn't even want to lift her head out of my neck. She was frightened and I was able to hold her, soothe her, and bring her comfort. I thanked God for that moment to be her safe place—her home. I think about how my womb was her first home and how last night she clung to me—needing reassurance and comfort...returning home.
I think about myself and how I often go through life feeling anxious or fearful. I would love to have the heart of a child—to cling to my God even when I am afraid—knowing that my Lord is there to comfort me and be my refuge. This special time holding my daughter helped me to remember where my true home is, and it is with my God. And so I hope to cling to him next time I feel the fear or worry of life's many storms.
From Jessalyn Kustusch
Want to share your story in a future Mothering Spirit newsletter? Send your response to this week’s question to newsletter@motheringspirit.com for possible inclusion in a future newsletter (400 words max).
A final word for reflection
“But what would happen if we got curious about our anger, if we decided to follow it for a while and see where it leads? What might the anger of women—of mothers—have to teach us about ourselves and our societies? What if, as author and activist Austin Channing Brown has said, ‘Your anger points to what is wrong and what could be made right?’
…Your anger does not get to steer the ship, but it can be an illuminating lighthouse to help you find the shore.”
From Rewilding Motherhood by Shannon K. Evans.