***Welcome to week 2 of the 26 week series, What Moms Need. If you’re new here and would like to catch up, click here to read last week’s post.***
It’s what makes us overlook the little things and what drives us to eat well so that we’re good stewards of the time we’ve been given.
It’s the difference between being ungrateful and being so humbled and honored to have been given these gifts.
It can make us wake up joyful and thankful, even when times are hard, or bitter and angry at what we’re “having to go through (again)”.
PERSPECTIVE – It changes everything!
Maybe you’ve heard the phrase before, “it’s all how you look at it,” and for moms, nothing could be more true. All of us have faced challenges in motherhood, and whether it’s financial, marital, health, pregnancy, infertility, depression, fear, loneliness, or a host of other issues, there is one thing that is for certain, and that is that God is in control. And if it is God who holds the universe, and orchestrates all things for His Glory, then my perspective as a mother should reflect that.
- God is sovereign. The Eternal God, who Was, and Is, and Is To Come (Revelation 1:8), controls all that happens to me. The sooner I believe that, the sooner I am able to really trust Him with my whole life. Even with my marriage. Even with our finances. Even with my children. (Proverbs 3:5,6 and Romans 8:28) But what happens if I’m scared of what He’ll do with those “things” with which I trust Him?
- Our physical lives are but a vapor. (James 4:14) Or….this is a short season on earth. We’re here on this planet for a very short duration in comparison to Eternity. We’re but a blip on the radar of time in comparison to how long we will be in the presence of God someday.
- Souls are forever. Once a soul is born, no matter where it resides, in Heaven or earth, it lives on and on, eternally. This helps me so much when I think of the three babies we miscarried, and of the parents we’ve lost. I will see those loved ones again. YOU will see your family members again. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
- I was chosen by God to parent these specific children. It is an appointed relationship, and He chose precisely which children would call me Mama. (Jeremiah 1:5)
- Children are a gift from Him. (Psalm 127:3) How I handle them and train them and care for them should be in direct proportion to how I view them as His gifts. They are precious.
- I am blessed. Having a husband who has visited Swaziland, Africa, a country whose AIDS population is astronomical, and where orphans are the “norm”, I am very aware of the privilege I have as a mother, living in this country, with clean water, good food, access to medicine, and a comfortable home. Even if I’m “broke”, I am cognizant of the fact that, in comparison to many many others around the globe, I am indeed, rich. (Psalm 136:1)
What is that you struggle with as a mom?
Do you find that motherhood, some days, is just too hard? Check your perspective. Do you see your children as the gifts they are? Do you see yourself as the instrument that you were created to be? That changes everything.
Do you struggle with fear of the future? Check your perspective on that one, too. Do you see God as He is – in control, omnipotent, mighty, powerful, and loving, orchestrating all things for His good will? There’s huge peace in that.
Do the little things like clutter, and the monotony of everyday chores get to you? Maybe it’s time to reflect on the fact that this life here is temporary.
Do the bikes, skateboards and scooters covering the front yard, or the play-doh messes covering the kitchen table and floor make you grumpy, or do you remember how grateful you are for the children who left them there?
Take a moment each day, moms, and renew your mind (Romans 12:12). Ask God to do it. And to give you a fresh perspective. To help you see the good in all things. To help you appreciate and be grateful for the blessings, and even the trials. Ask Him to help you get the little things done, too, so that you can spend your short time here being a good steward of all He’s given you, on the things of eternal value.
Blessings,
Wow, I have a lot of catching up to do before your next post in this series! I started to attempt to get up early every morning to have a quiet time. Some mornings are better than others, and there have been mornings where I.just.can’t. get.out.of.bed. Until of course my daughter (1) starts to cry. I have realized that on the mornings that I (even grumbling) get out of bed before the kids get up, and spend time with the Lord, my days run so much smoother. I don’t yell at the kids for dropping their chocolate milk on the floor, I remember to laugh when my daughter lays her belly in said chocolate milk to “swim”…I only have 3, sometimes 4 kids (2 are mine, 2 I babysit), so I hope to learn a lot from you and your 7 almost 8 kids!
It’s true about starting our days with the Lord, Sabrina. You’re right!
My 7 month old has been more fussy and irritable these days and not sleeping well, which means mama has not been sleeping well. So this post was a great reminder that he is precious a gift (along with his 2 year old brother) that I have been entrusted with. Thank you for reminding me that this is just a season and I will ask God to help me appreciate every moment with them – even the tough ones.