Mother’s day is nearing and with it the prompting to find time to reflect on what the past year of motherhood held for each of us.
What are we doing well?
What have we learned?
What do we need to release?
Why does motherhood matter?
Upon pondering these questions, it may be tempting to dwell on the areas where we fall so short. Mom guilt is a real thing. Check on your mama friends, we are not okay.
Seriously though, the following are six biblical truths that we mamas need to remember as we move into another year of motherhood.
1. Psalm 127: 3-4 (ESV) “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.”
In the overwhelm of having three children ages three and under I am often tempted to believe a lie that my children are some sort of punishment from the Lord. As if He were haughtily trying to teach me a lesson by utterly exasperating me in the task of motherhood. My heart questions His goodness in the lot I’ve been given even though I know many have much larger burdens to withstand. However, scripture reminds us that the opposite is in fact true. Our children and the task of raising them up is a reward from the Lord. Our children are weapons in our arsenal against the enemy. We need not fear sending them into the world or give in to the unnecessary yoke of protecting them from it when they were created to wage war against it. They are our arrows and when we allow the author and perfector to shape them through us we can guarantee they will accomplish their God-given task in victory because of the one who formed them has said it will be so.
2. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Mama, you can take captive that lie that keeps plaguing you that you are going to fail at mothering your children. We no longer have to cower in fear that our mission as a mom is threatened by our weaknesses as a human. With God, we cannot blow it. He holds us up with His victorious right hand ensuring that we share in the victory. If our children and our lives are entrusted to Him we have no reason to fear failing our kids. He strengthens and helps us, and He makes us victorious in motherhood.
3. Psalm 102:28 (ESV) “The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.”
When my firstborn Cypress was only four days old he stopped breathing momentarily and scared us all to death. As a new mama, I was left tormented with anxiety for my children’s lives after that event. Thoughts of horrible things happening to them plagued my dreams and thoughts. After realizing that I was not at the mercy of these thoughts I prayed for God to give me a promise to remember concerning my children. And today I want to give that promise to you. Serve the Lord wholeheartedly and your children will be established and dwell secure with Him.
4. Romans 8:28 (NLT) “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
How can we be a good parent and allow our kids to go through such difficulty without attempting to protect them from every blow life sends their way? Our flesh aches to see our children struggle, and it longs to take away every hardship possible. Our own redemption stories and the word, however, reminds us that God is using every detail, every difficulty, and every struggle to shape us to reflect His glory. We can choose false control or we can use our children’s difficlties to allow all invovled to be redirected to the one who makes it all matter. In choosing the latter, even while it is the more difficult option, God is greatly glorified to ourselves, our children and broken world desperate for reconciliation.
5. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the authorities. against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Do you know why you’re tired mama? It’s not because your kids are bad or you’re failing. It’s because as mothers everyday we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of our children. Resist the urge to give up the fight, resist the urge to make it a battle between you and your children or you and your spouse. Remember the battle is against our enemy and his horde. But we have everything we need to be victorious in Christ. Armor up daily with God’s word, His Spirit, and Godly community. Pray fiercly and fervently -daily to the One who loves them even more than we do. Fight for their salvation and transferance from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. In His strength, the battle is won. Rest in that truth today weary mama.
6. Ecclesiastes 3: 12-13 (NLT) “I have perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil -this is God’s gift to man.”
The tasks, to do lists, repeating schedule, and shifting sands of the attitudes of everyone involved pose threat to the joy of motherhood everyday. We can sulk and fret with an “I have to” attitude or we can rejoice in a “I get to” attitude. It truly is a choice we get to make each day of motherhood. Let’s not live with the regret that we missed the magic of motherhood when we were given our opportunity. Instead let’s allow gratitude to replace the grumbling and let our joy swell in the sacred duty and calling of stewarding our children. Keep life simple and sweet. Make memories, eat the good snacks and take pleasure in the toil. This is God’s gift to us.
Here’s to another year of answering the sacred call of motherhood. Don’t forget the truth along the way, mama. Happy Mother’s Day 2020.
Looking for the perfect bouquet delivered to that special Mama this year?
Click here to order and be sure to forward this blog to her to remind her of God’s truth as she takes on another year of motherhood. (All the heart eyes for those sunflowers)
ashleynicolemoore.com 
Everything you emphasize is true. Motherhood is huge and everything and bit by bit. Big decisions and small choices. I can only imagine a faith-instinct of some kind is built up over time. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Thank you! It was a precious day! And yes God is definitely growing some faith over here! 😅