Meeting Recap- Carole Watkins

Breathe, Receive, Believe

by Carole Watkins

written by Mentor Mom Jan Jung

I find part of the fun in showing up to our MOPS meeting is that we never quite know what we will be doing, or what topic will be discussed around our tables.  I think with each passing week each of us feels more and more like we are surrounded by friends that are beginning to know us more and more.  There seems to be more safety in sharing and more expression of thoughts.  This week was no exception. 

 This past Wednesday Melanie opened up our time sharing thoughts on turning 40 and what a big role friendships have played in her life.  She wanted all of us to realize how important friendships are and to not let this time in MOPS pass by without being intentional in pursuing friendships. 

Our speaker, Carole Watkins, was with us to share her story as it was her close friend, our mentor mom Kathy Van Dyn, who knew of Carole’s  miracle of  incredible healing and recovery after living thru many dark days of a tough life.

Carole was very transparent with us to share the deep struggles of her life.

Carole walked us thru being uncomfortable in her own skin,  her struggles with raising kids, her fear, doubt, insecurity and the need to be in control.  I think we could all identify with at least one of Carole’s struggles.  Maybe our situations looked different but these issues are the same. 

Control was the issue we could all identify with at our table.  There are some absolutely wonderful things about wanting to do things well and keep your child’s environment in control.     But we recognized thru our shared conversation that control can get out of hand and even isolate us.  We somehow move from wanting to keep control over our child’s life,  to needing to control all of our life. 

We almost all identified that we think we have to do everything on our own, or we are not performing our role as wife and mother well.  It reflects on us if something is not done to a Pinterest standard, at least in our own minds.   But that adds pressure and isolation as we often don’t accept the help from others, that we actually can use at times.  This becomes exhausting and very unsatisfying   You are never at peace with your life if you are trying to control it all.  Carole’s  story took her to a place where she had to let go and surrender the need to be in control and get outside help for her son. 

After this tough journey Carole said she learned when you are going thru tough times you need to stop and take time to breath deeply and don't try to do it all by yourself.  Be willing to receive help from others, it’s ok to get help. And believe that God will be with you as you look to Him and ask for His help.  Turning to God still doesn’t make it easy.  Life is just difficult.  But trusting that He will turn this bad thing into something good, gives you hope for your future. 

I loved her last thought about how important having gratitude in your life is.  It is something that needs to be practiced regularly as it strengthens your hope for the future.   I have to agree with this thought of developing your gratitude.  It is when you practice the habit of being thankful, you begin to notice God’s love for you and His daily provision that you can miss if you are not intentionally looking and giving thanks for your blessings which fall upon you daily.

I want to close by giving thanks for all of you young women who make an effort to gather together to stretch yourselves to become better wives and moms, and friends.  Seeing smiling little ones running around and muffin crumbs on the floor tells me sweet life is happening in our midst and I am so very blessed to be there to see it all.

Thank you again Carole for sharing your life with us and Kathy for asking you to come. 

~ jan