Hey, Mama? Don’t quit yet. You’ve got this.
Hey Mom. I see you.
Motherhood is a tough job. It’s sometimes a thankless job.
Especially in a world where ‘other’ moms seem to have it all together. Well behaved kids, clean houses, a job outside the home, homeschool, or, rock the stay-at -home mom thing and all the while maintain a fit bod. We struggle to find that peace we are doing well.
Did you know If you throw together a quick breakfast , drop off the kids at school in the sweatpants you wore to bed, are in need of a shower, juggling ten loads of laundry and picking up toys off the floor for the umpteenth time... you are a superstar!
I was reading my devotions the other day and the author’s words drove this home for me~
“If you don’t learn to celebrate yourself, you’ll settle for a life where you simply tolerate yourself.”
Marshawn Evans Daniel
We do that don’t we? No matter how hard we work to serve our families it’s not enough. We ‘tolerate’ the feeling of never measuring up.
We put tremendous pressure on ourselves. For an example look at this ideal woman from the bible. There’s that extra expectation of the Proverbs 31 woman. And lets face it, there is no woman alive who fits that description.
A Wife of Noble Character
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
16She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
19Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm clothes.
22She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
28Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
It’s a wonderful thing to have goals to aspire to but I’ve read that this virtuous woman is a conglomeration of many women. Which makes sense because I don’t know anyone who can do all these things excellently.
When my daughters were growing I adored them. But in my mind I continued to fall short as a parent.
It’s now that they are adults I can see how far they have come as lovely individuals who care deeply and take responsibility for their own actions. Well mostly.
And regardless of the choices they make it is no reflection of how you raised them Mom. You’re father in heaven adores YOU.
He has his hand in everything they do. He loves them far more than we can. So we can rest in his truths.
God does not want us to live under the grind of constant unmet expectations. He loves us and made a plan for each of our lives to live free to be who he created us to be.
So, this May 8th, Mom, celebrate the exceptional, unique woman YOU are. Your family adores you Mama!
It’s the best job ever.
What are some ways you’re celebrating motherhood this Mother’s Day? Whatever you decide make it wonderful.
