The Thing About Motherhood Is…
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Well, there are a lot of things, arenu2019t there? So many things. All. The. Time.
But THE thing about motherhood is that God chose you. God trusted you. God knew you were the right mama for your kids.
Thatu2019s it. Thatu2019s the message. You are chosen. Hand picked. Youu2019re a mother.
And yet, there are days and seasons of motherhood where we feel terribly inadequate. Unqualified. Not good enough.
The crazier thing is, I have yet to feel for myself (11 years into this journey) or meet another mother who thinks they are doing it all right and have it all figured outu2013 that includes mothers whose kids have flown the nest. They doubt themselves, too.
And so what do we do? Do we buy into the self-care culture that tells us weu2019re a good mom no matter what? Do we brush off our mistakes as if they are inconsequential at all turns? Do we take every step of motherhood so seriously that we sit in anxiety and guilt only to miss the magnificence of it?
No. We lean into our mistakes, missteps, hangups and exhaustion while seeking Godu2019s grace.
I believe God wants us to move through motherhood with humility and to acknowledge the self-refining we will inevitably go through. We are supposed to acknowledge our mistakes and learn from them. We are supposed to lean into our unconditional love for our child(ren) and accept that we wonu2019t always get it right.
I have sat in the mom-guilt, sometimes for far too long. I have laid awake anxious worrying about all the things. I have looked at other mothers and assured myself they are doing it better than I am. I have fallen into the social media highlight reels thinking I have completely messed it up. I have snapped back and yelled too loud. I have put a child to bed early because I had reached my limit for the day. I have been there.
I have also sat in the moments of pure joyu2026I have stayed up way too late rewatching baby videos and filling up on the giggles and milestones that have come and gone. Iu2019ve stood in the bedroom doorways at night watching them sleep and praying over them. I have melted into the couch while sweating and covered in drool because my daughter only wanted to take a nap on me. I have sat in the stands watching my kids play a sport they love. I have bent down so an excited toddler could run and jump in my arms. I have been there.
And still, we know all the things we have said about ourselves and how we would rate ourselves as mothers. That is likely very clear to most of us. And I believe we sell ourselves short.
So what does God say? How does He rate us?
Scripture tells us u201cShe is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness. She carefully watches over her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. u2018There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all.u2019u201d Proverbs 31: 25-29
Thatu2019s what God says about us! What He says about YOU!
This Motheru2019s Day, my hope is that you relish the honor God has bestowed upon you. The trust He has in you. The words He speaks to you.
I pray that you know what God knows u2013 youu2019re the perfect mother for your child(ren). Even when itu2019s messy.
I pray that you seek and sit in His grace instead of your guilt.
I pray that you see yourself how He sees you.