The smiles, the tears, the laughter, the exhaustion, the surprises — all blend together to to paint a picture of a journey unique to every mom. A once blank canvas gets covered in memories, adventures and lessons learned.
No two canvases are the same.
Each canvas represents a story. A significant story.
Sometimes as moms we feel small; other times we see our impact. Sometimes our canvas appears dull; other times its bursting with color.
The peaceful cuddles, the sticky hands that don’t mind the mess, the sweet phrases that make the sun peek through grey clouds — refresh our canvas with life.
It’s no wonder we often say that our kids are our world — their fingerprints fill every nook and cranny of the canvas. They forever change us. They give us a reason to get up every morning, shower or no shower, and embrace the awaiting day.
They need us. And the Great Artist knows that we need them too, because sometimes they are our greatest teachers.
The canvas of motherhood is ever emerging; each brush stroke weaves together, creating a picture that is a part of a greater story.
His story.
(C) 2014 Pocketful of Motherhood, All rights reserved.
Pocketful of Motherhood 
Hannah, this is beautiful! Great point that our kids need us and we in fact need them, too – my son has taught me so much in the last 1.5 years!
Amy @ http://www.livinglifetruth.com/
Thanks Amy! My son has taught me a lot too, over the past few years!
Beautiful as always Hannah! It seems your canvas is very full and absolutely gorgeous!
Aww, thanks Rachael! I think yours is too…your love for your boys is a beautiful picture!
Beautifully said Hannah. I agree, children are often our greatest teachers.
Thanks so much! Kids are such a gift in so many ways. 🙂
What a blessing to read this, Hannah. Thank you for reminding us that our journeys are unique and that each day brings us to and through new challenges. God often uses our children to make us more holy – at times by squeezing the unholy right out 🙂 Your canvas analogy is wonderful. May the Lord continue to bless you as you paint portraits of His grace for us in your posts.
You are so right, Heidi — He does often use our children to make us more holy. It doesn’t always feel good at the time, but He knows exactly what He’s doing. 🙂 He can create beauty out of anything. Thanks as always for your insight and encouragement!
Oh, this is so beautiful Hannah! What a PERFECT illustration to this life of being mom.
Thank you Sasha! I actually started out with a different idea for this post, but then as I began typing, God gave me this visual of a canvas — and the words just seemed to flow!
They truly are our greatest teachers often times!
They are! I’m really in awe of how much a little soul can teach me.
Hannah..I love ur post..! I totally agree….being a mother has definitely made me a better person..this post definitely reminds me of the cute saying..”I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me mommy ❤ "
What a sweet quote! And so true. Motherhood is a life changing journey. What a blessing it is to be called mommy! Thanks for your words! ❤
Hannah, this is absolutely beautiful. I saw in your comment to Sasha that you felt the visual of a canvas was given to you. I do not doubt that in the least. Your analogy touched my heart; it was so simple, yet powerful and accurate. My canvas today felt dull. I felt that my son was trying to dump his colors in all the wrong places; all the colors felt black. But you are right, shower or no shower, I wake up for my boy. And I’ll wake up tomorrow with the hope that the sun will peak through the grey clouds and that our canvas will be bright. Thank you, Hannah! 🙂
Marla, your words always touch me. Thank you! I picked the picture of my son with paint covered hands before I knew I was writing about a canvas — God must have known that the picture would fit the words that soon would follow. I have the dull moments too and they can be hard. I’m grateful that with God, the grey clouds don’t have to stick around forever. The sun will shine again. The vibrant colors eventually come to life. Thanks Marla, for your transparency and thoughtful words. You always encourage me!
Such sweet words here … and sweet pictures of you and your son! 🙂 I love the idea that motherhood, while messy and chaotic, is a true work of art. You reminded me that I have to step back and enjoy the view more often. 🙂 Wonderful insight here!
Thanks Kim! I love that we have a God who creates beautiful artwork out of each part of our journeys. 🙂
What a wonderful way of looking at motherhood, as art being created on a canvas. Thanks for the post!
Thank you! It was a new thought for me. Motherhood keeps teaching me so much!
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