“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
As my 5 month old baby’s crying commences and continues on until it begins to have a grating effect on my mental capacity, I am reminded that God never said this would be easy, he said he would be with us.
And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Motherhood is one tough gig. Good thing we serve one tough God. He literally had spikes driven through his hands and feet. A cat of nine tails was lashed across his back many times. A thorny crown was crushed onto his head. When I begin to think this mom gig is too tough for me, I think of my Savior and realize it’s not too tough for him. Christ’s power is made perfect in my weakness. Praise the Lord, because I am so weak sometimes. When I depend on Jesus through this mom thing, his grace is sufficient for me.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Sometimes I feel ashamed to admit that motherhood is really hard. I put on this “Woman of Steel” mentality and attempt to fly and fight in my own strength until I hit a wall that becomes my kryptonite. One more dish, one more middle of the night wake up call, one more meal to prepare, one more load of laundry to put away, one essential ingredient forgotten at the grocery store; some days I fail, and when my rocket fuel propulsion runs out, I fall hard. Good thing Christ never fell off that cross. By choice, he remained hanging in pure agony, experiencing the worst kind of torture, until it was finished. Then he released his Spirit to God.
When things don’t go according to plan, we must remain diligent as moms, but with the practical realization that we are not superhuman. The Lord came and shed his blood so that we could experience freedom and peace. I know that not all moments in motherhood are peaceful, but try to rely on the Lord as your daily bread. Through God's Word and prayer, we become equipped, Christ driven Mamas. Jesus' strength and grace is sufficient to cover and carry you through whatever the Lord has called you to.
You have certainly been called and chosen as a mom, to mother your children with all your might, to discipline and disciple them according to God’s Word… but not in your own strength. We must fully rely on God and not ourselves. We need his superpower force coursing through our veins. We need his mindset to shift our perspectives. We need his perseverance to carry us through. We need his strength and endurance in moments when we feel like we just can’t. Take heart! Christ has overcome the world.
My baby is asleep now after drinking her bottle, and things have suddenly calmed down. The waves crashing in my mind have settled. It’s almost as if Jesus said, “Be still,” and calmed the sea in me. Jesus is always in full control of our circumstances, even when it feels like things have spiraled out of control, down the rabbit hole. In motherhood there are many stressful moments, and even some heart wrenching experiences. Christ is with us through it all. We can have hope, even when the tempest sweeps in, because our God is with us, he is for us, he has already gone before us. His plans are to prosper and not to harm us, for a joyful, grace filled future. Whether on this side of earth, or in Heaven we will see the light and know his goodness. His plans are for us.
Steps of Faith:
Close your eyes. Bow your head and soften your heart. Take 1 minute to breathe in and breathe out deeply repeating this phrase like a prayer, “(inhale) Jesus Christ; (exhale) Son of God; (inhale) have mercy on me; (exhale) for I am a sinner.”