Suzanne Hadley Gosselin - Grit and Grace: Devotions for Warrior Moms

From Suzanne

I would like to thank my husband, Kevin, who champions my dreams and enables me to use my talents both inside and outside the home. You are the one my soul loves and my favorite coffee dateI am so very thankful for you.

Thank you to my children, Josiah, Sadie, Amelia, and Jackson, who provided ample inspiration for this book. You teach me every day about the Fathers deep, unconditional love for me. And youre some of the coolest humans I know.

To my parents and siblings, who showed me what it means to be an imperfect family loving Jesus and growing in grace. I see now how blessed I was to grow up among youin a place full of fun, love, and laughter. You have never stopped encouraging me, and I thank God for you!

To my husbands family, whom I have only known for one short decade, you have blessed me, and us, in countless ways and are an important part of our lives. I could not have asked for a better or kinder support system.

To Carol, an extraordinary and beloved babysitter. When people ask me how I wrote a book with four young children in the house, my answer is, Carol. Every warrior mama needs a good babysitter, and we are blessed to have you.

Thank you to my college roommate, friend, and coauthor, Gretta. When God made you my roommate, I received something precious. As different as we are, you wereand arethe perfect friend for me. Little did we know that God would one day give us the same dream to encourage other mamas.

Thank you to my editor and friend, Kathleen Kerr. Though we have worked on many projects together, this is the first time Ive had the opportunity to officially thank you. You encouraged this project from the start, and I am so grateful for your investment. Never forget that what you are doing is changing lives.

Thank you to Betty, Jessica, and the rest of the team at Harvest House. You have been exceedingly gracious, and it is a joy to work with you.

Most of all, thank You, Jesus. You are my hope and salvation. Thank You for allowing me to live out my dream of being a mother. You have done great things, and I praise You for all of them.

From Gretta

A huge thank you to my dear husband, Jay. Without your unending encouragement, I never would have had the courage to attempt writing a book. I love learning and growing together and pray our home will forever honor our Savior. I choose you today and always.

To my three precious gifts, Kaia, Titus, and Koen. Thank you for giving me my favorite name evermama. God continues to use you three to teach me about love, grace, and patience. I pray you follow God with your whole heart and are mighty warriors for him. I love you to the moon.

Thank you to my parents, Dwight and Sarah, for teaching me what it looks like to be a woman of grit and grace. Thank you for giving me the gift of a Christ-centered home and modeling a loving marriage.

Thank you to my husbands parents, Clayton and Marlene, for your support, care, generosity, and for your faithful dedication to all of us.

To Suzanne, my dear friend, this book is a testament to Gods incredibly gracious work in both of us. I am encouraged by the depth of our conversations and how you always point us back to Gods Word.

Thank you to our editor, Kathleen Kerr, for your immense encouragement and patience with me as I dove into uncharted waters.

And my deepest gratitude belongs to my Savior, Jesus Christ. He knows me more fully than I can ever imagine and still, because of His unfailing love, He chooses to call me His own. Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to be a wife and mother. I am blown away by Your gracious love, Your immense holiness, and Your unfathomable forgiveness. I will praise You forever!

Suzanne

M y five-year-old loves to play this game with her younger sister.

Amelia, when Im seven, youll be five. And when Im ten, youll be eight. AndMom, how old will she be when Im fifteen?

I gulp. Thirteen. I try not to panic or melt down, picturing my little girls as teenagers and realizing how quickly they will get there. In the pressures and hard work of mom life, I sometimes forget to pause and remember that this season is limited. It will come to an end sooner than I can imagine. We get approximately 936 weeks from the time our child is born to the time he or she leaves home. That means I have about 667 weeks left with my kindergartner in the house. Gulp.

I remember when my coauthor, Gretta, was in the throes of the little-kid years. I was single at the time and would visit her at her cozy home in Oregon. Toys and blocks were strewn across the living room floor, random articles of clothing along the hallway. Shed serve me a tuna melt and carrot sticks, multitasking as she fielded dozens of questions and interruptions from her toddlers. I marveled at how she seemed to take it all in stride, how she patiently spoke to her young children and attended to each little need. The selflessness I saw was astounding.

Last winter Gretta and her family were driving by my town, and we met at a pancake house along the interstate. Those three once-littles sat at the booth with us, engaging me with witty conversation and tales of their road-tripping adventures. I could barely believe the little toddler with the sprout of a pigtail was now the responsible young woman before me. The boy who had attended my wedding as a grinning six-month-old now told me knock-knock jokes. Gretta, still patient and wise, could utter a calm request and enjoy instant obedience. Pregnant with my fourth child, I marveled again. This time at how time flies.

I have heard it said that in mothering the days are long and the years are short. Though they dont always feel like it, these years of mothering young children are fleeting. I recently saw one mom I know post pictures of herself and her youngsters at a theme park. These are the best days of our lives! she said. Im sure of it. As a mom who has taken her littles to a theme park, I can say that those days dont always feel like the best ones. But I believe she is right. An empty nester once told me hed pay $10,000 to have his adult children young again for just one weekend.

The reality that your time with your little ones is limited shouldnt depress you, Mama. It should empower you. It should empower you to sit longer snuggled on the couch, reading just one more book. It should empower you to set aside your to-do list to watch your tutuclad princess perform her original production for you. It should empower you to leave the dishes in the sink to go on an impromptu family adventure.

Psalm 90:12 says, Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom ( NKJV ). Numbering our days leads to wisdom. When you recognize that you only have a certain number of weeks and days with your kids, you will likely be inspired to make the most of each one youre given. Soak it all in, Mamaevery moment. You have been perfectly placed for such a time as this. No need to look too far into the future. Simply enjoy what will likely turn out to be the best days of your life.

Lord, thank You for the gift of my children. Help me appreciate each precious moment I have with them. Teach me to number my days so that I may be a wise mommy. Help me make the most of today as I love each precious little one in my care. Amen.