Comments on: Guest Post: Photographer Anne Gaskill on “Mothering” http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/ Nicole Unice is a fresh voice for the next generation. Part bible teacher, part community organizer, part busy mom–Nicole has the uncanny ability to relate to people in all ages and stages of life with her “keeping it real” approach to ordering a life around God’s word. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: The Stubborn Servant http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-256 The Stubborn Servant Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:16:53 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-256 Michelle- I have to agree that raising dogs does have much crossover in raising kids! Thanks for these insightful comments about the parallels. It's cool how God brings us many different kinds of situations (people, pets, etc.) to point us toward understanding Him. Michelle-
I have to agree that raising dogs does have much crossover in raising kids! Thanks for these insightful comments about the parallels. It's cool how God brings us many different kinds of situations (people, pets, etc.) to point us toward understanding Him.

]]> By: Michelle Calhoun http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-255 Michelle Calhoun Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:18:54 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-255 Well, I do not have children yet, but reading various blogs, articles, or listening to radio certainly can prepare me but I can imagine nothing would prepare me for the reality of parenthood. I do not have kids, but I do have two dogs that could very well pass as kids most times. Since this blog is called The Stubborn Servant, I wanted to add something too! In my walk with God, I can most certainly assure that he has seen me as stubborn at many different points in my life. Sometimes that stubbornness was used to His glory and other times only to my own detriment. In working with my dogs (both rescues with various emotional scars), I had moments where I felt how God must feel when He wants us to be obedient. I tell my dogs not to do something or to do something because I can see ahead, I know what is good for them, know what the consequences will be and don't want them to get hurt and I get frustrated and saddened when they ignorantly do what they want to anyway because they do not see. When they suffer the consequences, I'm there to pick up the pieces, lesson learned. Or when they bark at dogs behind doors or across streets or people unnecessarily who aren't bothering them, I ask why they use up energy paying attention to distractions rather than focusing on the path ahead. I've often thought that this must be how God feels when I am disobedient in my thinking or my actions. I worry about what someone really thinks of me, or about other aspects of daily life that are not worth reacting to. I waste time putting thought deposits into the world's emptiness instead of the wealth of God's Kingdom. And when those moments occur, I can hear God shaking his head, like I would do to my dogs, and ask, "Why didn't you listen to me?" Well, I do not have children yet, but reading various blogs, articles, or listening to radio certainly can prepare me but I can imagine nothing would prepare me for the reality of parenthood. I do not have kids, but I do have two dogs that could very well pass as kids most times. Since this blog is called The Stubborn Servant, I wanted to add something too! In my walk with God, I can most certainly assure that he has seen me as stubborn at many different points in my life. Sometimes that stubbornness was used to His glory and other times only to my own detriment. In working with my dogs (both rescues with various emotional scars), I had moments where I felt how God must feel when He wants us to be obedient. I tell my dogs not to do something or to do something because I can see ahead, I know what is good for them, know what the consequences will be and don't want them to get hurt and I get frustrated and saddened when they ignorantly do what they want to anyway because they do not see. When they suffer the consequences, I'm there to pick up the pieces, lesson learned. Or when they bark at dogs behind doors or across streets or people unnecessarily who aren't bothering them, I ask why they use up energy paying attention to distractions rather than focusing on the path ahead. I've often thought that this must be how God feels when I am disobedient in my thinking or my actions. I worry about what someone really thinks of me, or about other aspects of daily life that are not worth reacting to. I waste time putting thought deposits into the world's emptiness instead of the wealth of God's Kingdom. And when those moments occur, I can hear God shaking his head, like I would do to my dogs, and ask, "Why didn't you listen to me?"

]]> By: Krista Quinby http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-249 Krista Quinby Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:50:16 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-249 I have actually been thinking a lot about my kiddos and how much they can teach me. Most recently I've been struck with the love that I have for them, the strong protective instinct I have, and the pure joy that I receive when watching them. My boys can be quite challenging a lot of the time, but even after my three year old throws a tantrum he can do the sweetest things to remind me of the deep love I have for him...this reminds me of the Great, Great love of God, that while we were still sinners, he sent His son to die for us! My boys are boys...and bruises, cuts, scrapes are a normal part of everyday life...I recognize this and am pretty relaxed with them when they are being boys, but when it comes to their emotions, their feelings my protective instinct goes full throttle...(probably something I need to work on), but again this reminds me of God's protection over us, how he wants so much for us to follow him and to be free of the sin this world is trying to offer us and how he will do anything to protect us from it, like giving us his son :) Lastly, I love sitting back and watching my boys enjoy life. Whether it's playing with each other, friends, our dog, or discovering new things. I believe, as Anne pointed out, that God wants us to enjoy his creation...I long for the child-like amazement for the world around me...if only I could step into their little bodies for only a moment :) I have actually been thinking a lot about my kiddos and how much they can teach me. Most recently I've been struck with the love that I have for them, the strong protective instinct I have, and the pure joy that I receive when watching them. My boys can be quite challenging a lot of the time, but even after my three year old throws a tantrum he can do the sweetest things to remind me of the deep love I have for him…this reminds me of the Great, Great love of God, that while we were still sinners, he sent His son to die for us! My boys are boys…and bruises, cuts, scrapes are a normal part of everyday life…I recognize this and am pretty relaxed with them when they are being boys, but when it comes to their emotions, their feelings my protective instinct goes full throttle…(probably something I need to work on), but again this reminds me of God's protection over us, how he wants so much for us to follow him and to be free of the sin this world is trying to offer us and how he will do anything to protect us from it, like giving us his son :) Lastly, I love sitting back and watching my boys enjoy life. Whether it's playing with each other, friends, our dog, or discovering new things. I believe, as Anne pointed out, that God wants us to enjoy his creation…I long for the child-like amazement for the world around me…if only I could step into their little bodies for only a moment :)

]]> By: Krista Quinby http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-254 Krista Quinby Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:50:16 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-254 I have actually been thinking a lot about my kiddos and how much they can teach me. Most recently I've been struck with the love that I have for them, the strong protective instinct I have, and the pure joy that I receive when watching them. My boys can be quite challenging a lot of the time, but even after my three year old throws a tantrum he can do the sweetest things to remind me of the deep love I have for him...this reminds me of the Great, Great love of God, that while we were still sinners, he sent His son to die for us! My boys are boys...and bruises, cuts, scrapes are a normal part of everyday life...I recognize this and am pretty relaxed with them when they are being boys, but when it comes to their emotions, their feelings my protective instinct goes full throttle...(probably something I need to work on), but again this reminds me of God's protection over us, how he wants so much for us to follow him and to be free of the sin this world is trying to offer us and how he will do anything to protect us from it, like giving us his son :) Lastly, I love sitting back and watching my boys enjoy life. Whether it's playing with each other, friends, our dog, or discovering new things. I believe, as Anne pointed out, that God wants us to enjoy his creation...I long for the child-like amazement for the world around me...if only I could step into their little bodies for only a moment :) I have actually been thinking a lot about my kiddos and how much they can teach me. Most recently I've been struck with the love that I have for them, the strong protective instinct I have, and the pure joy that I receive when watching them. My boys can be quite challenging a lot of the time, but even after my three year old throws a tantrum he can do the sweetest things to remind me of the deep love I have for him…this reminds me of the Great, Great love of God, that while we were still sinners, he sent His son to die for us! My boys are boys…and bruises, cuts, scrapes are a normal part of everyday life…I recognize this and am pretty relaxed with them when they are being boys, but when it comes to their emotions, their feelings my protective instinct goes full throttle…(probably something I need to work on), but again this reminds me of God's protection over us, how he wants so much for us to follow him and to be free of the sin this world is trying to offer us and how he will do anything to protect us from it, like giving us his son :) Lastly, I love sitting back and watching my boys enjoy life. Whether it's playing with each other, friends, our dog, or discovering new things. I believe, as Anne pointed out, that God wants us to enjoy his creation…I long for the child-like amazement for the world around me…if only I could step into their little bodies for only a moment :)

]]> By: Rachel B. http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-247 Rachel B. Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:25:14 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-247 Having kids has taught me amazing things about God. Perpetual hope, belief in his goodness, recognition of the difference between discipline and punishment...the one I always get stuck on is this sense of just how much he must delight in us, how much pleasure he feels toward us. The hardest lesson of motherhood has been one of trusting God. I've always been strong; I've been prideful in this aspect. I've never wanted to be (or appear) weak, the seeming "damsel in distress." But mothering for me has been constant weakness. I've had to seek God's rescue over and over. Allowing God to break through that pride to save me again and again has been so painfully good; learning that he is trustworthy is such a relief. Having kids has taught me amazing things about God. Perpetual hope, belief in his goodness, recognition of the difference between discipline and punishment…the one I always get stuck on is this sense of just how much he must delight in us, how much pleasure he feels toward us.

The hardest lesson of motherhood has been one of trusting God. I've always been strong; I've been prideful in this aspect. I've never wanted to be (or appear) weak, the seeming "damsel in distress." But mothering for me has been constant weakness. I've had to seek God's rescue over and over. Allowing God to break through that pride to save me again and again has been so painfully good; learning that he is trustworthy is such a relief.

]]> By: Rachel B. http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-253 Rachel B. Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:25:14 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-253 Having kids has taught me amazing things about God. Perpetual hope, belief in his goodness, recognition of the difference between discipline and punishment...the one I always get stuck on is this sense of just how much he must delight in us, how much pleasure he feels toward us. The hardest lesson of motherhood has been one of trusting God. I've always been strong; I've been prideful in this aspect. I've never wanted to be (or appear) weak, the seeming "damsel in distress." But mothering for me has been constant weakness. I've had to seek God's rescue over and over. Allowing God to break through that pride to save me again and again has been so painfully good; learning that he is trustworthy is such a relief. Having kids has taught me amazing things about God. Perpetual hope, belief in his goodness, recognition of the difference between discipline and punishment…the one I always get stuck on is this sense of just how much he must delight in us, how much pleasure he feels toward us.

The hardest lesson of motherhood has been one of trusting God. I've always been strong; I've been prideful in this aspect. I've never wanted to be (or appear) weak, the seeming "damsel in distress." But mothering for me has been constant weakness. I've had to seek God's rescue over and over. Allowing God to break through that pride to save me again and again has been so painfully good; learning that he is trustworthy is such a relief.

]]> By: Guest Post: Is Mothering a Dirty Word? « The Stubborn Servant http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-245 Guest Post: Is Mothering a Dirty Word? « The Stubborn Servant Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:45:32 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-245 [...]    » Guest Post: Photographer Anne Gaskill on “Mothering” [...] [...]    » Guest Post: Photographer Anne Gaskill on “Mothering” [...]

]]> By: Guest Post: Is Mothering a Dirty Word? « The Stubborn Servant http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-252 Guest Post: Is Mothering a Dirty Word? « The Stubborn Servant Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:45:32 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-252 [...]    » Guest Post: Photographer Anne Gaskill on “Mothering” [...] [...]    » Guest Post: Photographer Anne Gaskill on “Mothering” [...]

]]> By: The Stubborn Servant http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-244 The Stubborn Servant Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:31:55 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-244 Carrie, I hear you sister. Patience, or rather, impatience, is something I think God is trying to reach me through. I'm afraid He's had to break out the whip a couple of times. Hopefully I'll learn someday...might take a whole lifetime. Carrie, I hear you sister. Patience, or rather, impatience, is something I think God is trying to reach me through. I'm afraid He's had to break out the whip a couple of times. Hopefully I'll learn someday…might take a whole lifetime.

]]> By: The Stubborn Servant http://www.nicoleunice.com/guest-bloggers/guest-post-photographer-anne-gaskill-on-mothering/#comment-251 The Stubborn Servant Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:31:55 +0000 http://www.thestubbornservant.com/?p=384#comment-251 Carrie, I hear you sister. Patience, or rather, impatience, is something I think God is trying to reach me through. I'm afraid He's had to break out the whip a couple of times. Hopefully I'll learn someday...might take a whole lifetime. Carrie, I hear you sister. Patience, or rather, impatience, is something I think God is trying to reach me through. I'm afraid He's had to break out the whip a couple of times. Hopefully I'll learn someday…might take a whole lifetime.

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