Overwhelmed by My Blessings: Encouragement for Moms (Part 10)Sample

Maybe today you are discouraged about this parenting gig.  You don’t have any idea how to deal with your child who arrived with no instruction manual.  Figuring out how to handle the tantrums, the outbursts, the whining and complaining, it’s too much.  Often the outbursts are from us! I get it. Sometimes we lose it. Take a deep breath. No mom really knows what she’s doing.  Sure, we see the social media post that shows the lovely picture with all the smiling children in their perfectly clean, matching outfits with the cute home decor in the background. But come on, we all know that’s often not the reality of anyone’s day. We may not have a kid manual for each of our unique children, but we do have an Instructor with a great Guideline.  As we daily spend time with Him, learn His ways, His thoughts, and lean into Him, He will transform us!  With a renewed heart and mind we can learn how to deal with those tantrums, theirs and ours! As He teaches us, we teach them. Will you make mistakes? Certainly.  I did.  We all do.  Thankfully, He is not looking for perfect parents, or perfect moms.  He is simply looking for willing hearts to bring our messes to Him, lay them at His feet, and ask Him to take all the broken pieces and make them new.  He will, and He does!  Try it. Oh Father, You know I feel like I’m making a mess of things with this mothering thing. I never realized how difficult it would be to choose love, give grace, and hold my tongue. Right now, I bring all the pieces of the relationships I’m trying to build with my children, and I lay them at your feet, an offering of complete brokenness. Will you take my failed efforts, my disappointment in myself, and turn it all into something pleasing to You? Will you gently remind me when I’m stepping out of Your grace, parenting in my own strength? I know I can’t do it without You. Give me a glimpse of You at work today. I am expectant of Your goodness.