An Open Heart Message: Beautiful Grace for Mothers
Recently God showed me grace in such an amazing way, I just couldn’t keep it to myself. So I’m going to share a story with you that happened to me last week as we traveled for vacation. It’s a story about God’s grace for mothers.
Grace for Mothers: A Little Background
We haven’t been on a vacation since my oldest, who is turning 5 this Spring, was 10 months old! We’ve had a lot of staycations and one weekend trip to the lake. But not a full week vacation. So I was more than excited about going to the beach with my family.
We decided to drive instead of fly. I know people fly with little kids all the time, but we wanted a vehicle once we were down there, and by driving we didn’t have to fight with uninstalling and installing then uninstalling and reinstalling car seats. My husband swears he loses 30lbs every time we move them haha!!
That being said, 14 hours in a car ceratinly has its disadvantages.
Day 2: Traveling with Littles
We were all tired from the first day of travel and the overnight at the hotel. It wasn’t a bad hotel or anything. But one of our neighbors opened and slammed their sliding glass door all night long, one kid was pushed out of bed at 1 am, and the other woke up and realized she was on the “wrong side” of the bed at 6a.
Much more eventful than most nights these days.
So we hit the road on Sunday morning. All a little more tired than the first day. A bit fussier and whinier, and much less patient about getting to the condo.
Our youngest ended up falling asleep. If you’re like me, at first you’d think, “Hurray! We’ll have more peace with one asleep!”
But don’t be like me.
It never even crossed my mind as a possibility that she would fall asleep so early on Sunday morning. Therefore, she didn’t have a diaper on. Now, this wouldn’t be an issue for a child who is fully potty-trained. But for someone who is only potty-trained during her waking hours, this may or may not turn into a problem.
Well, she woke up from her nap SCREAMING! At this point, I’m still oblivious to the fact that she probably had an accident.
She kept telling us her back hurt.
The first day of travel had everyone off their regular bathroom routines, so we assumed she was constipated. Unfortunately, when she woke up we were stuck in stop-and-go traffic. So as soon as we could we pulled into a gas station to let her have a potty break, hoping this would help alleviate some of this “back pain”.
The Potty Break
I finally got this kicking and screaming child out of her car seat to head to the restroom.
Mind you, the kicking and screaming hadn’t stopped after I got her out of the car seat. At this point, I’m not even sure if she could have told you why she needed to keep screaming.
She was so vigorous in her kicks that she actually kicked her shoes off. (Up to this point, I had yelled and made threats. But now I was exhausted and it was all I could muster to just get us to the bathroom.)
Thank goodness someone was there to help me pick up her shoes.
I finally got her in a stall and pulled her pants down.
BOOM!
I knew what was going on.
Don’t ask me how I missed it. Probably because I had been listening to nonstop screaming and yelling for the past 15-20 minutes while sitting in traffic.
All my threats, and yells in the car were a waste of my breath. She had in fact peed her pants while she was sleeping, and woke up with “a hurt back” because she had pee all over herself.
Feeling Like the Worst Mom Ever
Now we are both in the stall crying.
How didn’t I know what was going on?!
How did I miss it!?
And how could I yell at her for an accident that was more my fault than hers!?
Now that I knew what had happened I was taking a whole new approach.
Normally, when she has a fit like this, the one sure thing that will ALWAYS calm her down is me. Me giving her a hug and holding her. But this time she was pushing me away and screaming at me.
Then Grace Knocked On the Door
** Knock Knock **
I heard someone on the other side of the stall door say, “Ma’am, it’s me. The lady who helped you pick up the shoes.”
I opened the door to see what she needed and she said, “Do you mind if I come in?”
I could tell by looking at her that she was full of compassion and love. Her expression was not that of judgment. But I sure felt like I deserved all the judgment everyone in that gas station could possibly give me.
Opening the Door To Grace
After she was inside this tiny stall with us she helped me. She told my daughter about the school bus she drove (what small child doesn’t LOVE school buses), and she talked to my daughter about her grand-daughter. This sweet woman helped me calm my baby girl down.
Then she looked me.
I’m crying even harder now.
She looked at me and said, “You’re doing good! Everything is gonna be okay.” Then she reassured me that she had a child who would throw big fits sometimes and that it was just a phase and it wouldn’t last.
In this small gas station stall she gave me a hug and told me she would be praying for me.
After she left, my daughter finally sat on the potty without screaming, and she finally let me give her a hug.
**Knock Knock**
“It’s me again, Ma’am.”
This time when I opened the door I saw her standing there with a blanket (it was clear she had just bought it from the gas station). Then she told me it was too cold and rainy to carry my baby girl out to the car without something to wrap her up in.
She gave me another hug, reminded me again that everything was gonna be okay and that she’d be praying for me.
I literally melted in this strangers arms.
I didn’t have to be strong at that moment. She allowed me to let down my walls and all my fake strength and let her hold me.
God’s Grace for Mothers
It’s so easy to beat yourself up in motherhood. But, in spite of all the mistakes, at that moment when I had felt like the world’s worst Mom, grace showed up for me.
Grace came into the bathroom and knocked on the stall door. Then Grace walked into my mess and helped me pick up the pieces. It didn’t wait until I had myself and my child all put back together. But it also didn’t push its way in.
Sometimes I think it’s easy to miss out on the love and grace that God has for us because it feels safer to just sit behind the stall door crying alone.
No one can see me in here. No one can judge me in here.
But if I hadn’t opened up that door and let someone else come into my hot mess I know I would’ve missed an opportunity to experience love from a complete stranger.
Pin for the Next Time You Need A Reminder of Gods Grace for Mothers
My girls are so often part of my learning process these days. I shared a post about self-worth and value that I learned from the girls and I also shared a post about the most important elements to make a home just right. I also learned from my daughter when I built the boho-style picnic table.
I was recently reminded that we will always find what we are looking for. I’m forever finding God’s impressions and whispers through my girls. What are you always finding?
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the story, but more than that I hope you felt grace. Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram! Also, sign up to be apart of our newsletter so you never miss a post! Have a great week! XoXo
Open Your Doors,
Aliya
Aliya
Hi! my name is Aliya and I'm so glad you stopped by today! Truly you have no idea how much it means to me. I live in Ohio with my husband and 3 little girls. I believe that once we start opening our doors, that hearts will start to open around us as well. You can head over to the About Aliya page to get my whole story.
22 Comments
Jen
Oh Aliya,
I was literally in tears reading it. Your encounter with that sweet lady sounds like it was meant to be. She sounds like a heaven sent angel.
Aliya
I couldn’t agree more Jen!! I cried the entire time I wrote it. Honestly, I still cry when I think about her. She was a gift!
Julie Thornton
Isn’t it amazing how God uses others to swoop in at just the right moment? I’ve totally been there too. Thankfully, I had my phone to call my husband and then there happened to be a stranger to transport the needed change of clothes to me under the stall.
2 Corinthians 12:9 God works best in our weakness because we realize we really do need Him, and He’s enough. Just like our kids need us, we need our heavenly daddy. Thanks for being brave to share your heart. I definitely teared up too. So thankful for that lady. Definitely a reminder that everyone needs kindness, take opportunities to be that kindness and bless others, you truly don’t know the impact.
Aliya
I’ll be honest, after I had this post all typed up and ready to go, I chickened out and typed up a completely different post that was A LOT less vulnerable. Then I heard this little voice whisper “Just one.” And I realized that this post was for someone, and I didn’t want to let my fear of all the things stop God from doing whatever you wanted to do with this story. Thank you for your sweet words!! They mean more than you’ll ever know!
Jennifer
Such a beautiful testimony of God’s grace! What an angel that lady was! I want to be more like her! I could totally relate to your story! We travel to PA every year from MO, it’s a 13 hour drive…sometimes more. We used to try to split it up and stay at a hotel, but our experience was always similar to yours…now we drive straight through. It’s hard but worth it, so they can be closer to my husband’s family. Keep up the good work mama!
Aliya
Girl!! I agree! I want to be more like that angel who came to help me!! Soooo grateful for her. You’ll have to stop by my house in Ohio on your way one time!!! ;))
Marie
Omg I’ve had moments like this. Sometimes people helped and sometimes they looked on horrified. Once I was traveling alone with my son. He was so squirmy and the flight attendants wouldn’t let me stand in back to rock him. A woman came and offered to hold my baby so I could rest. I guess I looked tired. She then encouraged a young girl in a row by herself to switch seats with me so I could spread out. She got off the plane first & waited for me to help with the stroller! The woman you encountered sounds like an angel. The world needs more like her.
Aliya
It’s amazing how sweet people truly are! It’s so easy to let our fear cloud our vision and before we know it we feel safer all alone and hidden away. But the truth is most people are good. Thanks for sharing you AWESOME story too!!
Jennifer Dynys
Sharing today on my weekly round-up!
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Cara
Thank you so much for sharing this story. WOW, isn’t it amazing when a stranger is persistent in helping us? Sometimes people are so quick to look the other way or judge, but when a complete stranger is willing to step in and offer help, I think it means so much more to us. To know others have experienced the same things we are going through… and can show compassion towards us during these times…
I love this story!
Aliya
Cara, absolutely! This experience was such a big one for me. It reminded me that most people are good! In this crazy world we live in I find that it is constantly trying to get me to see the bad and ugly in everyone. But when put in the position I was in I saw that the truth is most people are good.
Liz
A wonderful article. And a good reminder to avoid judgement and offer assistance.
Aliya
Liz,
Thanks so much! It was such a hard and beautiful experience! But I’m so glad it happened
Leslie Watkins
I love how God provides what we need. Thank you for sharing…I’m sharing this on my Facebook page for all of my young mothers and those who have been there to hear. Happy Sunday!
Aliya
Leslie!
Thanks so much girl!! I hope it helps someone!
Vickie Ramey
Yesterday I saw a man named Grace speak to a losing soccer coach he’d never met to tell him how good he was being with his 8 year old players. That man named Grace then spoke to a very distraught losing player to tell him how good his skills were and to keep working hard. It’s amazing how straight the coach, the player, and the player’s mother stood as they walked away from Grace. May we all take time and make the effort to be a Grace.
Aliya
I LOVE this story!!! Yesss!!! I can completely relate to the way the people Grace talked to felt. Walking into the gas station I felt terrible, but walking out I felt like I had just received the great gift anyone could ever give. It was wonderful!! Thanks so much for sharing this story with me! I seriously LOVE it!
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