I couldn’t tell you the color of her hair or shape of her face. I don’t remember how old her granddaughter in the backseat looked. I do, however, remember that feeling that crept over me, the awkward notion that I had caught the attention of a stranger. A feeling of watchful eyes.

Sure enough, after I had buckled my three young boys into their carseats, doled out snacks and cups, and hoisted our double stroller and my oldest son’s bike into the back of our SUV, she emerged from her car and looked at me.

“Excuse me,” she began. I bent low to pick up empty fruit snack wrappers that had escaped from the bottom of our stroller. “Yes?” I responded.

“Do you run a daycare?” She motioned to the boys now strapped into the backseat. I nearly burst into laughter. I restrained myself and offered a kind smile instead. “No, they’re all mine.”

“Well,” there was a seriousness to her tone as she kept my eye contact, “You’re doing a great job.” I managed to speak through my shock to offer her a simple Thank you. And with that, our short exchange was over, but her words would settle somewhere deep within me for safe keeping. Those five words spoken in an empty parking lot of the playground would stand as one of the most paramount conversations of my parenthood to date. It is when I realized that five of the most important words for parenting are not actually for our kids at all, they are for us.

You’re doing a great job.

Parenthood wrings us dry. It squeezes us tight and demands everything we have to give—and then some. And something so incredibly powerful takes place when we come alongside of each other as fellow sojourners and offer these words: “You’re doing a great job.”

“We’ve got this.”

“Don’t give up.”

“Hang in there, you’re doing awesome.”

Whether they roll off the tongue from a dear friend or a stranger in the parking lot, these words hold the power of life. They keep us going on the darkest of days. Often in my most trying moments of motherhood, I think back to those brave words offered over a painted line in the parking lot from a stranger. You’re doing a great job.

A Big Announcement!

 

This is exactly why I wrote 936 Pennies. It is also why I am so, so excited to make a big announcements today. You see, I’ve had this dream for a while now, budding beneath the surface of this book, and it’s time to bloom.

Over the past few years of writing, my husband and I began to dream about bringing together parents to discuss and journey through the truths presented in the 936 Pennies book together. We wanted to see those words, “You’re doing a great job”, take on flesh and form as parents and grandparents discuss together what it looks like to joyously raise our children with deep intentionality. And we’re ready to take the first big step!

Our prayer is that as we kickoff the first Online Book Club for 936 Pennies, that it will be a sweet space of deep encouragement and community.

We want to invite you to join together with fellow parents (and grandparents) and discover the joy of raising your kids, through the 936 weeks we’ve been given, with deeper intentionality, purpose, and joy! Click Here to learn more!

As a member of the online book club, you will…

• Receive weekly reflection questions to guide you through the book
• Receive free resources for digging deeper into the truths presented
• Take part in fun book and gift card giveaways
• Participate in group discussions through live Facebook videos with the author, Eryn Lynum
• Be encouraged through community with fellow parents seeking to parent with deeper intentionality. Cover one section of the book each week in this 10-week study.

So please, wherever you are at right now, soak in these words: You’re doing a great job. Just the fact that you are reading this and desiring to parent with deep purpose, that speaks so much of your heart for your children. Take this next step, come along with us, and discover the joy to be found in intentional parenting!

The first online book club kicks off on March 30th, and space is limited, so sign up now! Click here, then click “Join” on the Facebook Group!