Mommy Mondays: A Mom with Multiple Sclerosis

Thank you so much Jenni for sharing your story though it's been a difficult journey! Please leave some love for Jenni & thank her for sharing her story with us today!

Hi Giggles, Glitz and Glam readers! I'm Jenni and I blog at Ragamuffin Beauties, about being a homeschooling Momma of two, a wife to my high school sweetheart and my love for Jesus with his amazing grace, sprinkled in with a few fun yet less important topics. My blog name has changed a few times and I finally settled on Ragamuffin Beauties, because it so a reflection of who I am in Christ. He sees me as his beautiful child, yet each day my life looks more like a ragamuffin.

When Jana first mentioned needing guest posters for a series on motherhood I was all on board. I mentioned I had Multiple Sclerosis and we decided to run with that. In preparing I thought it would be great to get my kiddo's perspective. What I had not prepared for was what their answers would be. What it did reflect was that I am not being the face of Jesus to them. As a Mom, I was crushed as this is (in my opinion) my most important role. {You can read about my MS story here to get the back story of where I am at physically and spiritually on this journey.}

I want to first say, that I am not holding back and this may just be one of the hardest posts I have ever written. I won't ask you for grace, because He has poured out more than is sufficient and without the truths I found in my sweet babes voices I would not been on a path to healing and improvement as a Mother.

1. What is the biggest change you have seen in Mommy since being diagnosed?

• attitude is worse, argumentative with Daddy, not as playful/nice, stressed, mad easier, cuss more

2. What are your feelings about MS?

• sad/mad/upset, not as active, happy you are better

3. What do you want other kids to know about being a kiddo with a sick Mommy?

• enjoy that she is alive, be thankful for her, pray for her, help, obey, do chores

Earlier, that day we studied in Ephesians for church and two verses stuck out to me:

" Be completely humble and gentle; be patient;
bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:2

" Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29

Can I tell you what an encouragement to my soul it was to know God was preparing me not only for that conversation, but for the changes that are unfolding. The truth is Multiple Sclerosis is hard. Being a Mother is hard. But, I do believe God gave me a chance to experience both to be his hands and feet. When I allow my MS to dictate the way I mother I will always fail. I would be remiss if I didn't say there are days when choosing joy feels harder than facing the hardest of obstacles, but as a Mommy it is worth it. More than anything my children are looking to me to see how I respond to this disease. Do I seek the Lord, do I trust his ways, am I reflection of his love? Hearing their answers may have saved my life. I don't mean to be dramatic, I truly want to be transparent with how God can use Mothers faced with some of life's challenges. I want to encourage you Mommas to dig deep out of that place of pain. Maybe you don't have MS, maybe you are battling depression, or finances are affecting you, maybe this season of motherhood is especially trying...whatever your story, HE wants you to know HE loves you, HE is for you and you will always deserve His grace and comfort. My life verse is,

" Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12

It's a reminder of what to strive to be, because Lord knows it is a work in progress! I pray my story encourages you to know that you are not alone and that He can carry any burden you are facing. May you find joy in the journey of motherhood!

Thank you Jana for letting me spill my guts to you and your readers!

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