I met Kristin (finally another one with an (i) instead of and (e)!! 😉 , through the God Sized Dream Team. She has been a source of encouragement to me ever since and I feel so fortunate to have met her. We thought it would be fun to swap “spaces” for a day around Mother’s Day and share a Motherhood post!  She asked me if she could write about one of my favorite topics – music – and how it speaks to a mother’s soul. I am so excited to share her post with you because I know you will be blessed by it like I was!! And make sure you read to the end for a fun surprise! 🙂

Y’all, motherhood can be hard. Yes, I longed to be a mom and then quit the job for which I was trained and educated to dive into this completely new role. My kids are cute and funny {really, whose aren’t, right?} and they are usually quite fun to be around. But, goodness, some days are hard. There are questions and interruptions and messes and not enough hours in the day.

My kids are only 6 and 3, but I know this: When I pile up all the moments on hypothetical scale, the good will well outweigh the bad. I get the feeling I’ll look back on these days that seem long and wonder what happened to them.

Being a mom means I’m also a nurse, teacher, banker, driver, shopper, hostess, scheduler, cook, guide, organizer, communicator, party planner, investigator, and swim instructor. Throw in my kids’ independent {yes, like their momma and daddy …} ways, our individual personalities, our commitments and community, and all the things over which we have absolutely no control. Some days I wonder where the motherhood manual is. And many days I turn up the music and gain some perspective.

I don’t often have large gaps of time to read and study and process, but music has been a way to bring truth into my day. My kids have even been known to sing along with some of these songs as we drive along through life together.

1. Brave – Sara Bareilles
2. Come to Me – Jamie Grace
3. Kings & Queens – Audio Adrenaline
4. Rest Easy – Andrew Peterson
5. Promise of Summer – Jackopierce
6. When We’re Together – Mark Harris
7. While I’m Waiting – John Waller
8. Living in the Moment – Jazon Mraz
9. Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin
10. Courageous – Casting Crowns
11. Hey Mama – Mat Kearney
12. Your Love Never Fails – Newsboys
13. His Kind of Love – Group 1 Crew
14. Keep Your Eyes Open – Needtobreathe
15. Home – Phillip Phillips
16. Remind Me Who I Am – Jason Gray
17. All Things Possible – Mark Schultz
18. I’m Adopted – Slugs & Bugs
19. Children of God – Third Day
20. Brand New Day – Joshua Radin

This is the soundtrack of my season right now. Some of the songs get turned up and put on repeat frequently. Others calm my soul and remind me my entire to-do list doesn’t have to accomplished today. These songs bring truth as we grow and wait and wonder and teach and build this life. They challenge and remind and proclaim.

What songs are you listening to in your life? Whatever they are, turn them up and embrace where it is you and whoever is alongside you.

Leave a comment below and one of you will be chosen randomly on Monday to get this motherhood mix for yourself – because every new week needs a surprise. As you can tell, these songs aren’t actually just for moms. They’ve just helped out this momma who is trying her best.

Kristin Hill Taylor lives in Murray, Ky., with her husband, Greg, and two kids – 6-year-old Cate and 3-year-old Ben. She can often be found trying to beat her husband in Words with Friends, playing games of Settlers of Catan with her best friends, listening to her daughter’s stories, reminding her son to be careful, or texting her friends. You can keep up with her at www.kristinhilltaylor.com or follow on her Twitter.