Sometimes as a wife and mother, I have felt the overwhelming need to take care of everything and everyone. But what about when it becomes too much? Is there any value in still trying to “keep it all together”?
And I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. In fact, I felt especially seen when I found out that even award-winning vocalists feel the same. On an episode of the All In podcast earlier this year, voice actress and singer Adassa shares an important lesson in family and vulnerability she learned just before her big Disney break came.
Learning to rely on her family more, simply out of necessity, taught Adassa incredible trust. After her family had COVID in 2020, she became mysteriously paralyzed from the neck down. On one scary occasion, she nearly drowned in the bathtub because her limbs went numb and she was unable to call out for help. She would tell even her youngest children, “I really need your help and your strength to help me because Mommy can’t do this right now.”
She says that admitting her weaknesses and being vulnerable with her children has helped her become a better parent.
“Sometimes we dread the moments of weakness, but honestly, in the moments of weakness, we become stronger than ever.”
The rest of Adassa’s story is history, as she went on to receive nominations for her work on the viral hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Disney’s Encanto, performed with the Tabernacle Choir on their world tour in Mexico City, and recently released what she calls “a motherhood album” titled That's Where I'm At. You can listen to a preview of the album in the player below.
But the lesson she has learned—and the lesson from her story I love most—came as she discovered one of the best earthly blessings of having an eternal family.
“Children are stronger and more resilient than you think. … Sometimes I want to do everything and I want to take care of everything because I want everything just so. But I noticed that they can be strong, and they can become stronger, and it’s okay. We can survive things as a family. … If we really, truly want our families to be together forever, then there are going to be moments in which the whole family will be required to show humility and strength and love and compassion—the whole family, not just individuals. And so I truly feel grateful for everything, including the difficult moments, because it made me grow quicker and in such a way that I never thought I could grow.”
So next time I try to be everything for everyone or hide my emotions from my son when I get overwhelmed, I want to let him find ways in his sweet toddler style to comfort and serve me. I want to be able to grow stronger personally and as a family alongside him, instead of ahead of or behind him.
You can listen to the entire All In interview with Adassa in the player below.
That’s Where I’m At
For more thoughts from Adassa on faith, family, and music, check out the articles below.
► An ‘Encanto’ miracle: The faithful sacrifices that brought Adassa her dream
► ‘Encanto’ actress on her faith-filled choice to record Christian music
► Adassa surprises RootsTech attendees with performance and family history stories
► Watch: Adassa performs ‘Dos Oruguitas’ with the Tabernacle Choir
