Tag Archive for: Mom

5 Simple Ways to Become a Proverbs 31 Mom

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An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls. (Proverbs 31:10, AMP)

I know that often it can seem impossible to achieve the standard we see set forth in the Proverbs 31 woman, but let’s take a look at it from a mother’s perspective. How can we apply these verses to motherhood? I think we often overcomplicate this. This is not a set of rules to be obeyed. This is not a standard to achieve. We are the Proverbs 31 woman when we are surrendered to God’s purpose in our lives and live to please Him alone.

She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12, AMP)

I need to recognize that my primary role in the home is to be a supportive and loving wife. God gave me my marriage before He gave me my children. How can I better support the man that God has entrusted to me? Let me live out my days being a constant comfort and encouragement to the one God gave to me! May my words be pleasing in the sight of the Lord and may my attitude reflect a heart of thanksgiving for all that God has given me.

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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

3 Secrets to Finding Joy with Toddlers

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But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Psalm 5:11)

Being a mom is a tough job. Sometimes it goes without any reward. Daily we face the burdens of our family. We make sure everything is in order in our homes. We sacrifice a lot. And often we can be left feeling drained and sucked dry of joy. But in God’s Word we are reminded that we can daily find joy in Jesus. Motherhood and the demands that are there on a daily basis do not need to drain the well of joy that is contained in our hearts. We can go back to God’s Word and get filled up all day long. Let’s take a look at 3 verses and see how we can find joy in motherhood.

1. Maximize your Moments. Minimize your distractions.

“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

I don’t know about you but I find that joy is easily zapped from me when I become distracted by everything around me. I need to slow down at times and just appreciate the moment that God has given me with my boys. Like today, I stopped to notice my son (3 years old) go to the snack table at our Bible study and load up his plate with goodies. I was so impressed by his manners and his ability to do it all by himself. It was a sweet moment that I was able to just sit back and enjoy.

2. Keep Life in Perspective

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

I need to constantly remind myself that “nothing bad lasts forever”. There are some tough moments in the toddler stages. I have to remind myself that if I hang in there and teach my sons through these times that there will be a reward on the other side. It won’t always be like this. One day I will have more time on my hands than I know what to do with. For now, I need to remember that these precious moments with my sons are a gift and I will only be entrusted with so many of them.

3. Develop a Pattern of Grace

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

I don’t know about you but I really need to work on showing myself grace. There has never been a perfect mom and there never will be. Even the mother of Jesus was not perfect. When I strive for perfection, I fail and I often beat myself up over it. I need to strive to become more Christlike, teaching my children a pattern of grace when I fall. I need to teach them that only God is perfect! As I teach them this, I help them develop a pattern of grace as well.

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If you need more encouragement and some help finding joy in motherhood, my new book Make Your Moments Count would be great for you. Twenty moms and myself share the top lessons we want our children to learn before leaving home. It’s all about treasuring this time we have with our children and teaching them how to soar in the Lord.

Dear Father God, Please help me find joy in motherhood. May I not look for these days to pass too quickly but may I enjoy them to the fullest. Please continue to equip me and teach me what it means to be a great mom to my boys. And please give me wisdom on how best to equip them to follow You!

Finding Joy in Motherhood,