Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Are You a Struggling Mom, Too?

One reason I believe outsiders believe Christians are hypocritical and snotty are because we are not transparent enough (and possibly because we're hypocritical and snotty at times when we should be understanding and humble!). So in case any of you have ever for a second believed from my writings that I think I have it all together, let me sum it up for you:

YOU. ARE. WRONG.

It is at the end of days like today that I'm thankful that God is merciful and will fill in the gaps where I've so horribly messed up. Do you have days like that? Weeks like that?

Today was one of those days where I questioned my entire mothering ideas. Am I disciplining right? Why is he not getting it? Am I too lenient? Too harsh? Am I conveying God's love and desire for obedience to change his heart? Am I screwing up this whole thing?! Does God realize that I'm not equipped for this job?!

*sigh* And then I feel the Holy Spirit. (I'm so thankful God gave us the holy spirit--can I get an amen?!) I feel him reassure me that consistency is key. That he WILL get it one day. That my efforts are not in vain. And that God is teaching me so much during this process of mothering. He is teaching me to put on the same attributes as Jesus: selflessness, servanthood, lovingkindness, gentleness, patience, devotion, goodness, dedication, humbleness, generosity, and a heart to simply love and follow God. I feel him tell me to lay down my life for my family. And that he will supply me with all my needs.

Tonight it is so refreshing to rest in the arms of Christ. To rest in his promises that:

1. Good will come of my efforts! 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)

2. God has called me to this ministry and it's not in vain! And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (This includes mothers! Romans 8:28)

3. My children are not called to be intelligent, well mannered, wealthy, or successful in the world's eyes. Those things are not bad, but they are most importantly called to have a heart for Christ. (“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,for in these I delight,” Jeremiah 9:23)

Praise God for his goodness, mercy, patience and guidance in this journey of motherhood!

8 comments:

Jackie said...

Thank you so much.....I had one of those days today too. Such comforting passages. :)

Alyssa Hoshell said...

Thanks! And, yes I do!! I question if staying home is right...if pursuing my love for having a photography career at this point in Aiden's life with all that's going on is right, etc! Devotion is necessary for me to stay calm on my worst days and seeing other moms have been or are where I am too! So thanks, and I just teared up reading this.

Christina said...

Thank you for this! I'm always questioning myself. God is gracious despite my mistakes. He will use it all for His glory. Great post!

Jenifer Metzger said...

This is such a great post. I do believe Christians should be more transparent. For so long I thought I was on my own in how I felt, then I was so blessed to join a women's Bible study group. After many heart felt discussions, I realized I wasn't alone. Thank you for this encouragement.

Megan said...

I hopped over here from women living well...

I really enjoyed this post! I especially liked the last point that you made, about what our children are and aren't called to be. It's so easy to get caught up in little worldly things, and that's not what is important. Thanks for the reminder!

Christina said...

Yes! I have days like that:) It's true that we need to be more transparent. So thankful for grace. Visiting from WLW.

Breana said...

Here from Women Living Well! Great post! I have 4 children & have had MANY of those days! Then I look at my friends who are having their 1st & they seem shocked that there are hard days! Why do women as wives & mothers feel the need to cover up our hard times??? We should be transparent with others to encourage them! Thanks for the reminder! :)

Rhoda said...

Great post! It's so easy to start wondering if we're messing up,and I love how you've narrowed it down to the things to remember :)

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