Parenting Endurance

By Carissa

I’ve been training at high intensity but it’s not the kind of training you would expect.  I’ve been running a race, a marathon of sorts without even lacing up my shoes.  My race is the kind Paul talks of in Romans 12:1, “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”  My marathon is the race of life.

My heart longs to share with you openly why I have been training with intensity and yet my story is the kind that gets shared over a cup of coffee not a running blog. 

Running has fallen to the bottom of my list.  Seasons like this have a way of stripping away free time and hobbies.  Instead I “train” when I go to doctors’ appointments, stock up on parenting books, rebuild our tool box with better systems, and learn from those who have walked this road ahead of us.  My “training partners” are the friends and family that are faithfully lifting my family and I up in prayer.

One Shot

by Jodi

Well hello.  It's nice to see you.

Having Sole Sisters is a blessing and - in my opinion - a must for every woman.  We need friends we can be vulnerable, raw, intimate, and open with.  This week Carissa and I spent some time talking about parenting.

Between the two of us, God has blessed us with seven biological children and one semi-adopted, grown-up child.  I would lay down my life in an instant for any of my kids.  But that doesn't mean they don't challenge me to my core at times.  I know Carissa feels the same way and was feeling very challenged at points this week.  So after we talked, we prayed - for our kids and for each other as moms.

Carissa mentioned later that some of the input I gave her was really helpful and that maybe I should write a post for our blog about it.  What she didn't know is that I had already written what I shared with her early this year and posted it on my personal blog.  We decided to link you to it in the hopes that you will find encouragement to stay the course in your parenting, just like you stay the course during a race.

We only get one shot at this thing called parenting.  We need the help of our Savior to do it well.  But we also need each other.  After all, we are running through life together.  You can do it!

Happy reading.  Happy mothering.  Happy running.

It's a privilege to join you on the journey.