It seems everything in my life has experienced a mechanical breakdown over the last few weeks. I wrote last week about our poison berry scare involving our precocious 2-year-old daughter. (Yes, she’s still fine.) Before this incident, we endured the breakdown of our car, my shiny new refrigerator, my computer keyboard, an aging garbage disposal, the front door (seriously) and my foot. Let’s just say that feeding a family of five for four weeks with a broken refrigerator was an interesting experience.
With each new trial, I’ve found myself struggling to rise above the circumstances.
How do you remain in a state of grace when everything seems to be broken?
My blog mission and personal goal is to weather the storms of life, motherhood and marriage with grace. This is a lifelong pursuit, and not an easy task especially when you want to cry, yell at someone (like, perhaps, the customer service folks from Lowe’s extended warranty program) or crawl back under the covers.
Thankfully, I have an arsenal of affirmative mantras. When I began my journey into meditation, I was intrigued by the Buddhist and Hindu methods of practice, but not so in love with the Sanskrit mantras. I have nothing against the standard Om or even Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (which means peace and is a mantra I use often). But, really, I spend my days with three small children and when I meditate, I prefer to use words that are familiar and powerful to me.
My amazing pastor, Dr. Kent Millard, suggests I use “Be Still, And Know.” That’s an easy one to do when your blood pressure rises and you feel like having a mommy meltdown. Breathe in … be still. Breathe out … and know. I’ve also found an amazing online resource, Wildmind, for more information about the finer points of practicing meditation, including the meanings to all the Sanskrit mantras.
What I’ve learned in the process of meditating is that grace is something available to us always. We carry it within us. Unfortunately, the trials of life close off our connection to grace and we must mindfully open our connection to experience it again. When we experience God’s grace within, we can move forward gracefully in our interactions with everyone around us. Grace is waiting on the doorstep. Now, if I could just get that front door open.
MOM DARE: You know, I was so rattled last week that the last thing I needed was another challenge. So this week, we’ll work on two. 1) Find your personal mantra and 2) share it here. Perhaps you already have one. It can be anything; a bible verse, words to your favorite song, something your mother once said to you, or of course you can delve into traditional Sanskrit mantras. But find those words that – when spoken mindfully – release the pressures of life and let grace and peace flow freely again.
Grace and peace. Grace and peace. Grace and peace.
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Moms with Grace 
Everything is as it should be.
Ah, another great one.
Two more I did not mention:
This too shall pass (My mom’s personal favorite.)
All is well with my soul. (As sung by Wintley Phipps will bring you to your knees.)