I’m Not a Perfect Mom and that’s Perfectly Okay

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But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, AMPC)

Daily, I come to grips with the fact that I’m not a perfect mom. I never have been and I never will be. That title died the moment my children were born. I make mistakes all day long. I say the wrong thing, respond in the wrong way, and neglect to use my time wisely. But here’s the thing… God has not called me to be a perfect mom. He has called me to depend on Him with every breath I take and with every day I live. He wants my dependence to be on His perfection. His power is truly made perfect in my weakness and in that I can rejoice. I don’t have to be a perfect mom. I don’t have to have it all together. I know the One who is perfect and I can point my children to Him. Yes, I’ll never be a perfect mom, but I am the perfect mom for my children and so are you.

So as I accept that I’m not the perfect mom, I can laugh at my failures and learn from them. I can look throughout my day and rejoice that God had mercy on me. I’m thankful for the continual grace that my children show me. More than anything I’m thankful that through my weakness, His power is made perfect!

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15 Ways to Discover Joy in Motherhood of Toddlers

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You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11, AMPC)

I’m learning there are several ways to enjoy motherhood. Yes, it can be a daunting task at times. But often if I change my mindset and look for ways to enjoy it… I discover that there is joy in motherhood. More joy than I can possibly comprehend. I want to share some of the things that have brought joy to this journey for me. I pray that you will discover the joy that the Lord has for you as you embrace this adventure called motherhood.

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Having Fun Grocery Shopping with Kids

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You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. (Psalm 30:11)

It’s time to remove the sackcloth and start dancing with joy at the grocery store.

I use to dread taking the kids to the grocery store. I thought it would be torturous to bring 2 kids under 3 into that kind of atmosphere. Who knows what they would do? Would they choose this moment to go crazy? I had the scenarios played out in my mind and I was making it much more complicated than it needed to be. I’ve found ways to make it fun. Ways to enjoy grocery shopping with my kids. In fact, I now look at it as enjoyable to bring them because it gives me an opportunity to teach them. I’m teaching them what produce to pick out, how to know what’s ripe or not ripe, what foods are good to eat and what ones aren’t good for us. I use it as a vehicle of learning and my kids seem to enjoy it.
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5 Verses of Hope for Weary Moms

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But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired. (Isaiah 40:31, AMP)

I don’t know about you but there are plenty of days for me where I’m just weary and need a good refreshing word from the Lord. I love the promise in God’s Word that says, “He will never leave or forsake us” (Deuteronomy 31:6). The next time you feel weary, take some time to meditate on the following five verses. Allow God to breathe life back into you through His Word.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

Is it possible that this weary moment is just an opportunity to depend on God? Sometimes when I get to that weary spot, I realize it’s just God drawing me to Himself. He wants me to experience His power in my weakness.

God, the one and only—I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle: I’m set for life. My help and glory are in God—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. (Psalm 62:5-8, MSG)

God is a safe place to be. Anytime you feel weary, find rest in God alone. He’s got you. He’s not letting go. Let Him be the solid rock beneath your feet. Find strength in Him alone!

The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days. (Deuteronomy 33:25)

God can and will provide enough strength to match the tasks of today. He is limitless. When you feel limited, run to our limitless God. Find refuge in Him and allow Him to give you the strength to match whatever you face today.

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:33)

God arms you with strength for you day! When you feel like giving up, He will be there. When you question if it’s worth it, He will remind you that it is. When you feel like you’re not adequate for the job, He will remind you that in Him you are. You are more than enough for your children when you completely depend on the Lord and allow Him to fill you up.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. (Romans 15:13, AMP)

The God of hope can and will fill you with all joy and peace as you spend time in His presence. All throughout your day, stop and reflect on His goodness. As you reflect on the character of God, who He is and what He wants to be for you today, you will find yourself filled up and ready to face the tasks at hand.

Lord, it is easy to become weary of heart when I focus on what I need for my children and my lack of ability to fully possess it. But when I place my eyes on You and remember that Your power is made perfect in my weakness, then I find strength for my day. You are enough! And in You I am enough for my children. Please help me to run to You when the weariness hits my soul! 

Finding Hope in the Weariness of Motherhood,

Finding your Rhythm in Motherhood

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Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose]. (1 Corinthians 15:58, AMP)

How often does the trap of comparison come up in motherhood? Hearing how one mom gets her kids to bed at a certain time or feeling like she runs the perfect household. I believe the enemy constantly wants to ensnare us by getting us to compare ourselves to other moms. He wants us to feel inadequate and ill-equipped because then we are unproductive for the Lord. I like to look at it this way, I have my own rhythm in motherhood and as I watch other moms, I can learn from them and add to my rhythm. Some things will work for my family and some things won’t. I feel like I carry around this bag of tricks as a mom. I’ve learned what works in our home and I’ve learned what doesn’t. When I see something I like that another mom is doing, I try to add it to my bag of tricks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  Read more