Moms... Read this!

One of the most amazing women I know said to me last night, "I burst into tears on the phone with her.  It was just like a burden had been lifted - to know there are neurological reasons for these problems and that I'm not just a bad mom."  My heart hit the floor.  Like this woman is the real deal.  Loves Jesus.  Has been serving His vulnerable abused and neglected children for years.  Selfless.  Gentle.  Kind.  Honest.  Has persevered through difficulties like you could never imagine.  Does things for others that no one else would do.  Giving.  Loving.  You can see Jesus in her.  For real.

And yet, the same question that plagues the rest of us plagues her too... "Am I a good mom?  An I good enough?  Am I messing up my kids?"  We all think it.  If we are honest with ourselves, every single one of us questions it at some point.  "Am I good? Am I enough? Can I do this without needing to set aside money in a therapy fund for my kids later in life?"  I mean, my goodness, I go (when I can get there) to a book club meeting with other moms to discuss the book, "am I messing up my kids"!

Do we want to hear the truth?  Do we want to live in the truth?  Some days, I do.  And others, I choose to wallow in the self doubt and self pity of my flesh.  This is too hard.  I can't do this.  I'm messing my kids up.  They are too messed up already. I can't keep a clean house. There is not enough time in the day. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!

At the end of the day, we have to recognize the negative self talk for exactly what it is.  Lies.  Lies meant to steal our joy and cause us to doubt the very responsibility that God himself endowed upon us.  (After all, He is the giver of life.  And He is the sovereign God of all creation.). His plans are best and He knows what He is doing.  And He says that children are a reward.

Behold,  children are a heritage from the  Lord , the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalms 127:3 ESV)

We were chosen by God to love these children.  We were chosen as their moms.  But, we will never be enough, in our own strength.  Our own efforts will fail us and our children. Every time.   But there is one who is greater than I.  He is enough.  He is all they need.  His love never fails.

For the  Lord  will not forsake his  people; he will not abandon his  heritage; (Psalms 94:14 ESV)

So, Moms (myself included here), stop worrying.  Stop listening to the lies.  And start letting Jesus live through you!  Quit trying to just do for your kids and do for your family and do for God.  Let Him live through you.  He will guide you in what to say, which chore to do next, how to handle difficult situations, give you a gladness of heart.  He will.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is  the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)

But I have  trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall  rejoice in your salvation. (Psalms 13:5 ESV

Do you know a Mom who could use some encouragement?  Well then, get to it!  Shoot her a text or send her a message.  PRAY for her!  And let her know that she's not alone in this journey.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)