You’re the best! Thanks for understanding, for validating and for encouraging!
I’m now a grandmother, plus a caregiver for my mom.
I still have self doubt about spending time writing or painting, as if I’m wasting time or neglecting someone or something.
Every once in awhile I threaten to give up on my book. I get cranky with my family when I can’t find time to write. I am frequently jealous of Herman Melville who could shut his office door while he wrote and someone took him his meals on a tray.
Thank you SO MUCH for this, Jonathan! I was one of those young mothers asking about the tension between creativity and motherhood/homemaking during the conference. This was so encouraging. And when I read it out loud to my husband, he was saying "Hear hear! YES! Amen!" the whole time 😂
This is so timely and encouraging. Thank you, Jonathan. It’s such a tricky balance — I see Christian influencers who are writing and posting and growing a huge following while also parenting 4 kids and I think — why can’t I do that? But that is not how God wired me. Even in the space of creativity, we mothers tend to compare and compete with those who seem to be doing it all. I love this encouragement to create — and I also see the need for balance. Praying I (and others?) will find that space to create without feeling the need to perform and gain success. So tricky.
I’ve read this before and I’ll read it again. I always love to hear this perspective: witnesses to the hope in us, being sub-creators and Christ-bearers to the world. …and letting the other family do their own laundry!! Yes!!
Thank you for sharing this. I think I read it the first time around, but it is a message that I need on repeat. It is right up there with Sarah Mackenzie at RAR reminding me that my children need to “catch “ me reading for pleasure. If I tell my children that reading or creativity is important, but they never see me pursuing those goods for myself, then I will look like a hypocrite. Thanks for the reminder to live out my humanity.
I don’t think I’ve ever read an essay I needed to read more than this one. Thank you, Jonathan!
Same.
You’re the best! Thanks for understanding, for validating and for encouraging!
I’m now a grandmother, plus a caregiver for my mom.
I still have self doubt about spending time writing or painting, as if I’m wasting time or neglecting someone or something.
Every once in awhile I threaten to give up on my book. I get cranky with my family when I can’t find time to write. I am frequently jealous of Herman Melville who could shut his office door while he wrote and someone took him his meals on a tray.
I appreciate your note to mothers!!
Tricia Hinely
Wish I had read this when my children were small! Thank you for these words.
Thank you SO MUCH for this, Jonathan! I was one of those young mothers asking about the tension between creativity and motherhood/homemaking during the conference. This was so encouraging. And when I read it out loud to my husband, he was saying "Hear hear! YES! Amen!" the whole time 😂
This post was great in 2020, and it's still so great now. These are good words and muchly needed! Thank you!
This is so timely and encouraging. Thank you, Jonathan. It’s such a tricky balance — I see Christian influencers who are writing and posting and growing a huge following while also parenting 4 kids and I think — why can’t I do that? But that is not how God wired me. Even in the space of creativity, we mothers tend to compare and compete with those who seem to be doing it all. I love this encouragement to create — and I also see the need for balance. Praying I (and others?) will find that space to create without feeling the need to perform and gain success. So tricky.
As one raised by my mother and grandmother, this is wonderful.
I’ve read this before and I’ll read it again. I always love to hear this perspective: witnesses to the hope in us, being sub-creators and Christ-bearers to the world. …and letting the other family do their own laundry!! Yes!!
Thank you for sharing this. I think I read it the first time around, but it is a message that I need on repeat. It is right up there with Sarah Mackenzie at RAR reminding me that my children need to “catch “ me reading for pleasure. If I tell my children that reading or creativity is important, but they never see me pursuing those goods for myself, then I will look like a hypocrite. Thanks for the reminder to live out my humanity.
So encouraging! Enjoyed meeting you and LouAlice at Glen Eyrie. Enjoyed contemplating how to ‘tend my plot’. Thank you.
Thank you for this.
“…you are modeling for your children the importance of creativity.” Yes. Thank you for this reminder and encouragement.
Thank you Jonathan. I attended the Glen Eyrie writing conference, and it’s refreshing to read what you e written.
Thinking of my itch to write as a way to express the hope that lies within me is such a revolutionary thought to me. Thank you!
Sharing this with my daughters, two creative but very busy young mothers!
Thank you :)