Welcome to our bi-monthly Hope Notes, a newsletter to meet you at the intersection of faith and intergenerational mental health written by Jennifer Magnano, founder of Moms for Mental Health and a team of amazing co-writers. Each note contains glimpses into and wisdom from a myriad of experiences in the often-unseen world of real, raw, wild motherhood.
She stayed and she saw life.
Dear one, it’s that time again. This weekend is our live, virtual Moms for Mental Health conversation. And you are invited to the table. Will you join us for a guided journey into who we are beyond the motherhood journey this month?
She Stayed will be an honest look at darkness and light. We see so much false imagery on social media - and in real life! - around the ease of a rather complicated life space. Loves, motherhood is not a walk in the park for many of us; and often, when we get attached to the identity of mom life can get much harder!
We lose ourselves to ourselves and to them - our miracles… and we wonder, who am I? Who am I here? Now?
For me, this experience has led to multiple “dark night of the soul” moments. Crises within a crises that led me through recovery and into an often-light-filled place and space within.
"dark night of the soul" - n. in Roman Catholic spirituality describing a spiritual crisis in the journey toward union with God
Side-ish note.
Why talk about darkness when we desire light?
September is suicide prevention & awareness month (take the Please Stay Pledge here), and
Sometimes - oftentimes - we learn from others pain. It’s said “pain when shared is halved” and I for one believe this.
Motherhood is a complicated place and space for many of us.
Take a moment.
Take a breath.
We’re with you.
We are with you.
Grab your spot for MFMH this Saturday at 10am PST/1 pm EST here.
And grab some words to help you keep breathing below.
A prayer for doubt.
Dear God
In the midst of
the I can’t moments,
the doubts
the questions
the I am not enough
Help me to remember this:
You are Emmanuel - God with us
Help me to listen to the sound of what is genuine in me
The whispers of you
The grace and beauty of the present moment
Let not my past mistakes, my present worries, or my fear of the future
Keep me from remembering who I am and who I am meant to be
Your child
Deeply loved
Accepted
Enough
Help me to sink into your extravagant love and rest
Seeking fruit.
What if the fruits being birthed of the motherhood journey need a little fertilizer, dear one? What if the fertilizer is God with us? God in us?
“When we realize that we don’t have to control, but rather release our ideals and expectations so that we are walking this out with the Holy Spirit as our guide...it is then that the necessary fruit will grow…” - Melissa Manion (read more)
This read was good for my soul and the space I am currently in with parenting. (Another season where I have to dig deep to see “the fruit” with one of my precious kids.)
What if God is here in this desert too?
What if? Oh, Nikki’s social media post was good for my soul this week, loves. Ending today with a beautiful reminder from Nikki Thompson (above):
“What if the world doesn't end when the fears come true?
What if we have what we need to make it through?
There is manna from heaven and mercies new
What if God is still here in this desert too?” - JJ Heller, God is Still Here
Loves, I believe God is still here.
After a whirlwind these last few years, I really do.
I’m hoping the same belief rises up in you.
And if not, lean hard.
Lean hard into others who can and will believe.
We need each other.
We need each other so much.
With you & giving thanks for you always,
J.
Jennifer Magnano
See you Saturday, in our local groups, and online always, dear soul.
P.S. I am honored to be on the launch team for a pretty special book & I'm letting you know pre-orders for this holy work are available right now. Pre-orders are a big deal for authors. They make or break books. (I get it.) Also, PRAYERS are a big deal for parents. I'm coming to believe they make or break us. Anyhow, I encourage you to check out some of Kayla's prayers and decide if this book will fill the gap between your knees and the floor.
P.P.S. Have a request on what you’d like to see more of in our next newsletter? Email our team.