I don’t know about you, but all you mom and dads out there deserve a huge hug and high five… and maybe a venti iced mocha with whipped cream. Or double shot iced coffee, whatever you roll with.
This pandemic, cultural environment and stressors have definitely revealed some of our weakness and character flaws, hasn’t it? (please tell me I’m not alone…)
My heart goes out to moms and dads because I’m right there with you. You’re juggling so many things – things usually not on your plate, responsibilities that weren’t your own now are. Finances could be strained. Relationships could be strained. Peace feels like a far-off dream.
Well, in light of all of the things we’re trying to juggle, I’m here to say that I stopped believing the SUPERMOM myth. You know why? Because she plainly does not exist. Oh, I’ve tried to be her – I’ve tried to be everything to my husband and kids, try to keep a neat and tidy house, cook all organic meals, keep myself in tip-top physical shape – all with a smile on my face! Can you say….. unattainable!? Can you say… headed for burnout, disillusionment?
Hmmm…… there MUST bean alternative to living this way. Did God, who created us, really intend for us to be supermoms and feel good about doing it all and impressing everyone?
I’m here to share with you a better way (that I’ve been learning over the years). A way that’s filled with freedom from guilt and shame, freedom that brings peace to your precious soul and heart, and mostly, a way that brings life into your heart, and your mama heart.
We weren’t created to be supermoms or superdads… we are created to be moms and dads who believe and serve and obey a SUPER God! A God who loves us and supernaturally gives us the strength to parent.
God created us to NEED him, just like our children need us. God is a Father – He created us to need Him. Not just when we’re in a pinch and need help with a flat tire or when we’re at the very end of our rope. (He is there then, of course). But God created us to do life WITH Him – every moment – and to do motherhood in His strength, not ours.
Trust me, I’m sad to say that I’ve done plenty of my motherhood in my own strength. But God, in His mercy and grace, let me get to the end of myself (it wasn’t pretty) and He started to show me a better way. Life WITH Him. Strength from communion with Him.
Do I get it right all the time now? No. I’m a work in progress. But I’m starting to learn what my job is and what it isn’t. My job is not to be everything for everyone – to do all of the perfect mom things – sooner or later, you’ll see that you’ll fail your children in some way. And that there is a sign that maybe this motherhood thing isn’t about me and my identity and how good of a mother I am – maybe it’s seeing motherhood as the gift it is. It is a gift of His grace to let me get to the end of myself. Because then, and only then, do I recognize my need for someone to save me – a Savior – Jesus, and surrender my life to Him. My expectations. My failures. My hopes and dreams. And let Him fill them and inform them. And trust me, it’s an adventure. An adventure that I’ll bet your heart is secretly aching for.
We aren’t enough on our own. We are sinners in need of God’s amazing grace. Recent books and pinterest pins like to declare that “You are enough!” and “She believed she could and she did“. Yes, those have some grains of truth in them – but let’s be careful! God is the source of life – the source of the strength that can be sustained over time, as Isaiah 40:31 says.
So, mama, whether you’re finishing reading this and need to return changing a diaper or cook dinner again or address a sibling argument, remember this:
Rest in His grace today. He makes what you do enough. You aren’t enough on your own – He didn’t create you to carry that burden. Bring Him whatever is in your hand, and offer it to Him, and He’ll make it enough. He’s inviting you into a life with Him – filled with life, peace no matter the circumstance, and hope. True hope.