A Movie’s Impact

John and I were long overdue for a date night. I called the sitter and we headed to see Moms’ Night Out. I had heard great things about the movie, and the idea of laughing until my belly ached was quite appealing.

John’s coworker had shared with him that the main character reminded him of me.

I wasn’t really sure what that meant. Was that good or bad?

So with popcorn, a pretzel with cheese, and a Dr Pepper in hand (don’t judge) I got comfortable and prepared to laugh.

I didn’t expect to cry.

During the opening scenes I leaned over to John and whispered, “It really is me.”

A mom.

A blogger (who gets discouraged when she looses followers).

A neat freak.

And like Allyson, reality doesn’t always match the dreams that were in my head.

Allyson’s daughter dreams of being an artist.

Her husband wanted to be a basketball player.

“I dreamed of being a mom,” Allyson says. “This is my dream.  I’m living it and I’m not happy.”

Motherhood was my dream.

Being a reporter, writer, and author were always secondary.

I wanted to be a mom. Now that I am, it’s not as glamorous as I envisioned it would be.

I thought it would come easy for me since it’s what my heart had so desperately wanted. The truth is, it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

I’m Allyson.

I freak out when toys are scattered and dishes are disgusting.

I put too much pressure on myself.

I let guilt weigh me down when I make a mistake.

I’m guilting of finding my value in tweets, likes, and followers.

Motherhood is harder than it’s supposed to be because of the expectations I place on myself and my son. {Tweet This}

Sitting at the local jail after an eventful night, Allyson confides in a tattooed biker dude named Bones.

“I’m a failure.”

The unlikely confidant has a few wise words for the stressed-out mama.

“I doubt the good Lord made a mistake giving you the kiddos He did. You just be you.”

Motherhood isn’t about being a perfect mom, but a present one.

It’s sticky floors and sticky hands.

It’s magic marker on the wall.

Motherhood is hard and messy and glorious and wonderful.

Reality doesn’t always live up to our dreams, but there’s no doubt God chose us to star in this role.

Just the way we are.

So today, if you feel like you are less-than, remember Allyson’s words.

“I’m a mess. But I’m a beautiful mess. I’m His masterpiece, and that’s ENOUGH.”

This post was written as a response to Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart link up prompt: For more encouragement click here. I am also linking up for Three Word Wednesday. You can join the fun here.