I saw a sticker recently that said #survivingmotherhood
I get it. Some days are hard. Being a mother is a full-time job. There are challenges nearly every day. There are questions, messes, and tantrums to navigate. You’ve never done this day before. Even if you have multiple children, there are still new challenges you will encounter. Each child is different. But God still gave them to you. You are the mother they need.
However, we all have much to learn about motherhood.
Social media makes that clear, doesn’t it? Mrs. Pinterest mom reminds us that the rest of us are falling short daily. We fall into the comparison trap.
The new trend seems to be just surviving motherhood, marriage, work, schedules, and life in general.
When did we stop thriving? When did we stop enjoying life?
How do our children feel when we say that we are surviving motherhood? That we are just barely hanging on until this is over? Does that make them feel loved? Does that make them want to be parents?
I am not saying to lie about the challenges, but I am saying to not focus on the challenges alone. There are so many blessings in motherhood!
If your husband told you that he was just surviving your marriage, how would you take that?
Let’s take a look at the definition of surviving: continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship. Is that what we are doing in motherhood? Is this the message we really want to send our children?
I know days are hard, phases are hard, and motherhood is demanding. I know. But it’s also a heavenly privilege and blessing and we must get back to treating it as such! I know #survivingmotherhood is meant to be comical but also realistic. I am all for being honest. But I also believe that our words matter and our children are listening.
In their context, Christ is speaking to the Pharisees. They were thinking to themselves that Jesus was actually casting out devils by the power of Satan rather than the power of God and this is what He said: ”O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned“ (Matthew 12:34-37). But I believe the same is true for us. There is a principle here we all must remember. Our words have power, we will give an account for them, and they reveal our heart.
If survival is truly how you feel about motherhood, I would like to offer some hope and help.
Run to Jesus. Spend time in the Bible, in prayer, in church, and with godly women. Surrounding yourself with women who love Jesus, pray for you, love you, encourage you, and give biblical advice is absolutely vital.
Jesus does not want you to do this on your own. He does not want you to barely survive.
He came to bring abundant life (John 10:10)
He is our present help, place of refuge, grace, and hope. Our wisdom, patience, rest, and joy must come from Christ.
Our lives are to be a reflection of His goodness and love to the world. Barely surviving does not communicate that to a lost world.
”For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.“ Hebrews 4:15-16
”I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.“ Philippians 4:13
”Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.“ Proverbs 18:21
Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
Proverbs_31Life 