Embracing the Seasons of Life with Grace

Emily Joan considers the superpower moms need to face life’s changes and challenges. 

As a mom of three boys, we have had our discussions over superheroes and superpowers. When asked, I definitively answer that, if given a superpower to choose, it would certainly be to control time. Having been a mother for a decade now, I see firsthand just how fleeting their childhood truly is. However, after such fanciful discussions, I always explain to my boys that the true superhero is God (despite some of their favorite tales), and He alone can control time.

This year has been a season of changes and celebrations for our family. From preschool graduation to celebrating my husband’s 40th birthday to our oldest entering double digits, time simply never slows down. I remember how, when I was growing up, my mother would frequently say all she wanted was a dull moment. Being a seasoned mother myself now, I frequently repeat this and realize this dull moment will likely never come! However, the love and constant movement of a larger family is one of life’s greatest blessings I would never change.

Motherhood Is a Roller Coaster of Emotions

Still, the excitement my children feel entering a new stage of their lives is often paired with my own inner emotional struggles about a stage they will no longer have. While they beam over a new skill learned such as riding a bike without training wheels, making a basket, hitting a home run, or mastering a subject, my outer cheerleader is always coupled with a sad inner goodbye to their younger selves. Despite this constant battle, I gain peace knowing I will always have memories and there is always something on the horizon to look forward to with happy anticipation.

Seasons Change, but God’s Love Remains Steadfast

Life is a constant changing of seasons. Sometimes this brings joy and other times, challenges. As mothers, we can gain grace from above to weather each season with strength we do not alone possess. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.”

When you enter a season of change or challenge, look up and pray for help. When you experience a joyful season, look up and pray a prayer of gratitude. In all seasons, look up and pray a meaningful conversation about what you may be experiencing. This has worked wonders for me over the years through the roller coaster of motherhood. Motherhood was never meant to be experienced alone.

When you pass through waters, I will be with you. (Isaiah 43:2)

As mothers, our number-one priority is to raise saints for the ultimate goal of ascending into Heaven for eternal life. However, to do this successfully, we surely need a daily dose of divine assistance. Being a mother is not an easy task or vocation. It is rooted in layers of sacrifice. When we offer these sacrifices up, motherhood becomes more manageable and magnificent.

God’s Grace Is the Superpower Moms Need

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Additional armor to embrace motherhood’s seasons and challenges I find helpful:

• praying the Rosary as often as possible

• attending Confession when necessary

• spending time in reflection at Adoration

• performing charity works at our parish

I also try to involve my children in these activities often as well. It is amazing to see faith come to life firsthand in their eyes.

Finally, focusing on our God-given gifts, hobbies, and interests also helps relieve stress in times of tribulation in motherhood. I am a creative at heart, so any activity where I can create something from nothing is fair game. Some of our family favorites are dancing, baking, gardening, DIY and arts & crafts. If you can incorporate faith into these activities, even better. I recently created a DIY Catholic board game for May, honoring Mary and the Rosary. My children love playing this together for family game night, and it sparks meaningful faith conversation too.

If you are embracing a season of change in motherhood, I encourage you to try and add some of the above into your daily rhythms. I’d love to hear back how it went for you as well, so feel free to reach out and say hi! In the meantime, my family and I will be soaking up the remainder of summer before we embark on our next challenge in September: our first time homeschooling. I will be praying daily for some of God’s superpowers to guide me! 

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Copyright 2026 Emily Joan
Images: Canva