The One Where She’s Losing Herself In Motherhood

Life Letters, Vol. 2

This is the second post in a series I’m calling Life Letters—personal, unfiltered words written in the style of an old-fashioned letter to a long-distance friend decades ago. For less than the price of a latte a month, you can now support my writing and read these extra letters by becoming a paid subscriber.🤎 (Don’t worry, my Tuesday newsletter is still free.)

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Motherhood has taught me more than any experience or book or sage advice ever has.

Raising humans is a beautiful, brutal, soul-opening and wounding and healing and captivating and humbling process.

Before I gave birth to my first daughter, I always told myself I wouldn’t “lose myself” in motherhood.

But I did—and I am, daily—losing myself anyway.

But, I’ve come to learn that I think that’s the point.

I think Jesus was onto something when he said “whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

Whoever loses their life will find it.

I’ve never felt so empowered and purposeful and fulfilled than in moments when I’m giving myself away to others—and that happens daily as a mother.

I’m finding myself as I lose myself.

I’m learning the meaning of life as I surrender my life.

It’s not always pretty, but it’s worth it. I’ve experienced too much joy and purpose than to live any other way than this—with my arms stretched open, surrendering to God and loving people.

I thought I’d use this week’s letter to share three things I’m learning in motherhood that make losing my life feel like finding it.

Let’s get into it.🤎