Jasmine, on Love. Sling Diaries, Vol VII.

The Sling Diaries, Volume VII. A photo-documentary chronicling the art of baby wearing in the lives of families around the world. Over the course of six months, Sling Diarists will create their own Sling Diary though a series of diary entries interpreting a unique theme given to them each month.

Meet all of our Sling Diarists here.

ON LOVE

To the Mother whose baby does not follow the rules, to the one whose squishy newborn did not read the ‘how-to-baby manuals’ before arriving earth side. To the Mama who found themselves walking a road so unpredicted, and filled with valleys so low, you feel there is no where worse for you to possibly walk. To the one whose hands are so full, it is overwhelming your heart.

Sweet Mamas, this one is for you.

When you, in your motherhood, find yourself feeling completely undone, hopeless and at your breaking point, don’t let go, don’t give up.

Don’t let that feeling of powerlessness overtake your soul. Though this season may be the hardest of your life, though you may find yourself in moments of complete surrender, knowing that there is nothing left in you to give. There is one thing you can be absolutely certain of, that this is but a season; and according to nature’s law seasons change; from winters dark and lifeless chill to the blossom and hope of spring. Know this my dear sweet friend; this season you find yourself in today too will surely pass, as sure as summer makes way for fall.

Cling to love and let love guide you.

I promise you, there is a joy that will come in the morning. It won’t be this way forever, as cliché as it sounds, and as unsatisfying as that answer feels in the storm, it is truth.

Don’t compare, don’t let your heart be deceived that you are missing out, or that you have drawn the short straw. Shield your heart from the lie that you are not strong enough to overcome. I see in you strength birthed in battle.

No man becomes a warrior at home, wielding a sword in his backyard. He becomes a warrior at war, defeating an enemy. You are warrior, you will overcome that which has tried to destroy you and steal your joy.

Love looks like a life laid down. There is a point of surrender in love. Where you find yourself undone, your heart exposed, weakness on display, but you choose to say yes to love any way. I see in you a raw love fleshed out in a life laid down.

Learn to breathe in silence. Find peace in the stillness, in the tears, in darkness and chaos. Trust love more than the fear of the unknown. Trust that despite your inabilities, you have power to overcome. Trust His love is enough for you, it is not a fleeting feeling or emotion. You will realize that what you thought was your limit, is actually the point where you will began to see how deep the roots in your life have spread.

If you look you will see people, in love, watering your roots. They are the ones that give you air when you feel suffocated. The ones who tend to the weeds you have no strength to pull. They are the ones who give and pour out of their little, to help you to keep standing.

Let Love lift you.

 

Love makes perfect sense to the lover, and yet, to the by-stander it looks like complete foolishness. That one would willingly choose to lay down and surrender their life for another. I am yet to experience a season that so depicts a life surrendered in love the way motherhood has. But what greater joy will we find in our lives, than to see the ones that have captured every part of our affection, succeed, to see their joy overflowing?

Your overcoming will become the banner of your life.

When no man has answers or hope we are seeking, when we can find no quick fix, we cling to God. He is the source of Love that empowers us to carry on.

God is love.

May you be one who rises despite your circumstances. May you be one whose roots run deep and wide holding and grounding you even when it feels impossible.

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Follow along with Jasmine over on Instagram, @the.russells, and The Sling Diaries on Pinterest.