Hope for Moms

Being a mom means cooking, cleaning, mending, nursing, teaching, entertaining, scheduling, chauffeuring, leading and nurturing.  And none of that without interruption.  Hats off to you, moms!  You may just possibly have the toughest job in the world.  It never ends–only changes. But there is  hope for you, Mom!

For the Tired Mom

For all your dedication, you deserve fine jewels, fancy dinners, and romantic nights on the town.  The reality is that those things probably aren’t in your budget.  The money you set aside is more likely spent on food, clothing, and shelter.  Many of you don’t even have resources for a vacation every year.  Yet you keep trudging on, usually without complaint.  You may secretly fantasize about winning the lottery or getting a full time maid, but deep down you know that will never happen.  So you keep working hard, loving on your family, one tired step at a time.  

In your tiredness, you remember…

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

   the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

   are the children of one’s youth.

Blessed is the man

   who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

   when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”  Psalm 127:3-5 ESV

So you might even secretly long for just one more little baby to have and to hold…and clean and feed. After all, what is just one more?

Keep Going

Your accomplishments are commendable, but you are far from perfect.  The beauty of it all is that your kids don’t see this.   They think you are perfect just the way you are.  Sure, they may have moments they wish you would let them eat sweets for dinner or buy them the latest technology gadget, but those moments are fleeting.  99% of the time, they just love you and crave your attention.

This is what keeps you going.  You strive to do better, to be better, because you want to love them the best you can.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

You may laugh or hide your head in shame because you know that you are not always patient.  Sometimes you are envious of the carefree ways of your children.  You can be quite irritable.  Hold tight to the last part–”Love bears all things.”  Mothering is hard work!  You still manage to take it all in stride, hope for the best, and endure the work set before you.  You keep going because that is who you are as a mother.  

There is Hope, Mom!

You are not the only mom who gets frustrated, says things she regrets, and longs for a do-over. Click To Tweet

Don’t get stuck in what you do wrong.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 ESV

Your kids are really just God’s kids on loan. Click To Tweet

You are not the only mom who gets frustrated, says things she regrets, and longs for a do-over.  You are not the only mom who yells and gets impatient.  You are human, but better than that, you are a human who is loved by God and can rely on His strength to get the job done.  After all, your kids are really just God’s kids on loan.  He entrusted these beautiful creations to you.  He knows that together, you and God are enough.  

Strength and dignity are her clothing,

   and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

   and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household

   and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

   her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently,

   but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

   but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

   and let her works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:25-31 ESV

Take a moment to celebrate yourself as a mother.  What is something that you do right? What is your best mothering advice?