As a mom, I have days where the smallest thing blows up to huge proportions ( is that just at my house?). I become wrecked with emotion and feel like my heart just can’t handle anything else. When this happens, Satan attacks my heart as a mom. I feel guilty, overwhelmed, and anxious about the choices I make. I don’t see the joy in motherhood, I just see the hard. I’ve only been a mom for three years but the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is to let go. If I don’t loosen my grip on life, I’m not going to enjoy it. Mothers are created to live joyful lives even when we experience hard times.
My heart needs protection from Satan’s attacks. Does your heart need protection too?
The best protection I’ve discovered to prevent a heart attack isn’t a pill, exercise or a healthy diet.
It’s laughter.
Laughter lightens my heavy heart, reduces my stress level, and alters my viewpoint. Suddenly, the smallest things remain small and the heavy stuff is guarded.
Here are five ways laughter protects a mother’s heart:
- A good laugh is sunshine in the house. — William Thackeray. As mothers, we are often the C.E.O’s of the house. If we are leading our home with a gloomy attitude, our children (and husbands) are going to catch our bad moods. But, when we find something that makes our hearts smile (especially on the really bad days), this change in attitude will help us lead our homes more cheerfully.
- Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. — Lord Byron. Laughter really does make us feel better. Doctor Paul E. McGhee says, “Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health.” If your heart feels sick, go to the doctor but also make an appointment to laugh.
- A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. — Phyllis Diller. While advice on motherhood overflows like water boiling on a stove, I still don’t know what the heck I’m doing half the time. We can barely make it out of our home, into our car, and arrive at our destination without forgetting a shoe, a phone, or Lord help us, our Dora doll. For some reason, I thought motherhood would come with an instruction manual but it honestly comes through trial and error. We have to smile and believe that motherhood is an adventure and our kids will turn out okay (even if they are missing a shoe!) because they know we love them.
- As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul. – A Jewish Proverb. Laughter is cleansing. It scrubs away our dire outlook and helps us to start over fresh. When we laugh, we release endorphin’s (feel good chemicals) that clean our souls and allow us to feel well. As a young mom, showers don’t always happen…just like laughter doesn’t always happen. But, showers and laughter really should be more of a priority (for the sake of my soul and the way I smell!).
- From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere. — Dr. Seuss. Usually at my house, toys are from there to here, here to there, and everywhere. And, I don’t find much humor in this. I really do wish my home could look like the homes on Pinterest but the reality is I live in a house where pillows become forts and our playroom resembles a Gap store after a clearance sale. While I think it is extremely important to teach children at a young age to clean up after themselves, I really do better if I view my home as a funny mess instead of fuss and fume.
If most days as a mom feel like a heart attack, consider taking a “Did I Laugh Today?” Challenge. Laughter is infectious, protecting not only your heart, but those around you too. Laugh today, mama. Your heart will thank you.
Question: What makes you laugh as a mom?
Christen Price blogs at Illuminate, where she seeks to brighten, reveal, and make clear the uncontainable truth. As wife to her high school sweetheart and mother to premature twin girls, she’s learned to trust God’s plans even when life (or her house) is messy. Christen is the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at her church, a lover of exclamation points, and gets way too excited over food and fabric. You can find her on Facebook and Etsy, or on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter @chris10price.
IF YOU LIKE THIS POST, OR IF IT HAS ENCOURAGED YOU, PLEASE SHARE
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER too!
SUBSCRIBE to receive your FREE copy of Overwhelmed today!
AND/OR
SIGN UP to BEGIN a M.O.M. Initiative Mentor Group in your area! You will also receive a FREE copy of Overwhelmed and as a ministry tool, please feel free to make as many copies as you need.
- Ch…ch…ch…CHANGES Are Coming in 2017 for TMI - December 27, 2016
- What New Thing Are You Ready to See God Do in Your Life in 2017? - December 26, 2016
- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
