Raising kids is hard, y’all. We’ve got four of them over here and every single one is completely different from the others. One is moody and sensitive, one is mouthy and stubborn, another is hyper and loud, and the last one is sweet and mischievous. But she’s two so we’re also dealing with all things toddlerhood over here.
I was up early this morning, praying that I can be the mom my kids need. If I’m being honest, sometimes they get on my dang nerves and I don’t always react appropriately to their antics. Please tell me I’m not the only one who occasionally feels this way.
As I lifted my kids to the Lord, I prayed that He would help me exude love to them. That they would feel seen and heard and accepted for who they are.
Because, have I mentioned how different they all are??
I heard the following quote one morning while I was out on a rare run. It was spoken by a dad, but it can just as easily be applied to moms.
“My kids don’t need me to be the perfect dad. They need me to follow Jesus, love their mom deeply, be crazy about them and want to spend time with them.” -Doug Fields
I’m praying that my kids can see me following Jesus, loving their dad, and wanting to spend time with them. I’m not sure they always see that, though, to be honest. And spending time with them is difficult as I rush home from school every day, cook dinner, help with homework, and hurry them upstairs for baths and bedtime.
Most days I feel frantic. I wish I didn’t, but I do.
Just yesterday, a saying ran through my head.
“Happy wife, happy life.” Except in my head, the saying went, “Crazy wife, crazy life.”
Why is it that the whole temperature of our homes is set by us, as moms?
I know God gave us this responsibility to show warmth and love to our family, to help them feel loved and accepted. But I need the Holy Spirit to work in and through me in these areas. Because when life gets busy, I get cray.
Beth Moore recently said this and it gave me pause:
“Will you delegate to someone else the fight for the ground God entrusted to you? Memorize scripture. Learn how to fast and pray. Quit talking about Jesus more than you talk to Him.”
Her statement could apply to anything in your life, but when I heard it, I immediately thought about my relationship with my children.
I don’t want to delegate what God has entrusted to me. And I’m sure you don’t either.
So today, friends, let’s get on our knees and lift those we love up to the Father in Heaven. He knows their needs.
And let’s lift each other up, too, as we journey on this path of motherhood. We need all the support we can get.
Adrienne, yes, motherhood is a hard, humbling calling. It brings us to the end of ourselves, doesn’t it? Thank you for the reminder of how important it is to love my husband well, to love my sons well, and most of all to love Jesus with all my heart.
God has really put our sons on my heart as a prayer target this year. Maybe it’s because they’re only home for a few more years, or maybe it’s because of the times we’re living in, but I believe you’re right. Prayer is crucial!
Adrienne, I love what Beth Moore said: “Quit talking about Jesus more than you talk to Him.” I’ve made a lot of missteps along the way as a mom, but I hope my girls will always remember that their mother prayed for them.