God provides—even in the middle of meal plans, laundry piles, and to-do lists

“’Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?’”

Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)

Something I didn’t expect in motherhood and that no one warned me about ahead of time was how much my life would revolve around food and clothes.

It started in pregnancy as I paid attention to what I should and shouldn’t eat. I also had to figure out what clothes were going to work for my changing body.

Then when my children arrived, I had to figure out food and clothing for them. Food and clothes have remained constant even now my children are older.

Meals need to be made, groceries need to be bought, laundry needs to be done, clothes that are too small need to be purged, clothes that fit for the coming season need to be bought. And on the list goes!

I know life is more than this as a mother. There are so many other facets of motherhood I never expected and have knocked me off my feet – in positive ways.

The way I can look at my teenager daughter and get a glimpse of her toddler self. Or the way my son smiles at me just when I need it most.

These are some of what keep me going in motherhood. I don’t need to focus on all the to-dos and worry about all of it. I just need to learn to relax in God as a mom, as a woman, as a person.

I can trust that He will take care of us and do a much better job than I could ever do on my own.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for providing for me. I can get so caught up in the worries and struggles of life that I often miss seeing the good parts. Take my stress and fears. Open my eyes to see more of you and your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Letting go of lies and stepping into God’s truth

“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)

As someone who has often struggled with self-confidence, I have marveled at others who are confident. They walk into a room with their heads held high and talk to others. They share their opinions and stories.

Basically, they are at peace with who they are and they own who they are. I’m not so great at that, to be honest.

For years, in fact, I realized I was struggling against the lie that nobody wanted to hear what I had to say. As a naturally quiet person, it was easy for me to keep to myself in many ways.

I didn’t necessarily realize that was the lie I was believing until God opened my eyes. Because sometimes we get stuck in our heads. We start believing truths that just aren’t true.

When that happens, we aren’t living in peace. We’re living in anxiety, stress, fear, discontentment and awkwardness.

That’s not God’s intention for us. He intends for us to live in peace and as a result have a quiet confidence that comes from Him.

If we are so full of God that He is shining out of us, then we can live out our truth in confidence. I may not always have self-confidence, but I do always have God-confidence.

Prayer:

Dear God, I ask you to fill me with your peace and righteousness. Fill me up with you so that I can walk in your confidence, especially when my own confidence is struggling. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Learning to forgive when your mama bear instincts kick in

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:13-14 (NIV)

We talk about forgiveness a lot in the Christian community – and it makes sense. The Bible tells us time and again to forgive others as God as forgiven us.

And from a mental wellness standpoint, I also know the benefits of forgiveness. Carrying around hard feelings toward someone else is only hurting ourselves.

While I’d like to think I’ve made progress at forgiving others and am doing well with it, one area of struggle for me is forgiving those who have wronged my children.

That’s hard for us moms, isn’t it? Our inner mama bear can’t help but come out when we see our children hurt or wronged.

We want to fight. We want to defend and retaliate. Though we should most definitely stand up for and advocate for our children, we don’t want to get caught up in holding grudges and not forgiving.

The truth is, I don’t think I can do this on my own in some situations with some people. So that’s where love comes in. I need God to pour His love into me to ease my anger and frustration so I can let it go, forgive and move on.

What are you holding onto today that it’s time to let go? Ask God to pour into you so you can let go and move forward.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for forgiving me. I ask that you pour your love into me so that I can forgive others – even when they have hurt those I love. Show me how to move forward. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Trusting God with your children

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Even if you aren’t predisposed to anxiety (as some of us are!), motherhood can certainly bring it out in you.

As a child, I remember seeing overprotective moms on television sitcoms telling their child to be careful with a stick or he might poke out his eye. I thought it was silly and over the top.

Then I became a mom. A stick! You can do a lot of damage with that!

We want so much to protect these people who God has given us charge over. We want them to be safe and secure and have all the things they need. All of that leads to worry and anxiety.

It starts at the very beginning of their lives and continues. I’d guess it continues your entire lifetime as a mom, no matter the age of your children. The worries change and evolve, but they are always present.

But God didn’t create us to be filled with worry and anxiety. He knows that our natural tendencies, especially as mamas. So many times, He reminds us to just trust Him.

This verse from 1 Peter says it succinctly. We can turn our anxiety over to Him because He loves us.

Just as we don’t want our own children to worry, God doesn’t want us to worry. We can trust that just like we take care of our kiddos and make sure they are safe, so is He taking care of us and them as well. That’s something we can rest in today.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for caring for me enough to take my anxiety. Help me to turn my worries and fears over to you and rest in your goodness today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Even in the wilderness, God creates streams of hope and renewal

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Sometimes what we need most is the hope of a new beginning. I’ve had seasons in my life that were hard and exhausting. Yet, none of them have lasted forever. They always come to an end.

The changes may take longer than we’d like. But God is faithful and making a way through all the struggle and hard times.

As moms, the hardest times are when our children are suffering. Recently, both of my children had health issues at different times that we were at a loss to diagnose and treat.

I’d spent years in such a situation myself, but that didn’t cut me to the core like it did when my children were going through it themselves.

My love for my children is vast and deep. Somehow, God loves us even more than that. When we are struggling, He must surely ache for us. We can rest in His love and trust He is making a way through the struggle, even when we can’t see our way past or through it.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for always being with me in the struggle. Give me hope and encouragement to keep going. I trust that you have a plan for my life and for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Even in the busyness of motherhood, God calls you to rest!

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”

Hebrews 4:9-10

Mom life is busy life. There are always tasks to be accomplished. Always.

Never taking a break for rest can be tempting, but it’s neither good for us nor what God intended for us.

It can be easy to scoff at the idea of a day of rest when you’re a mom, especially when you have small children. Yet, we do need rest.

And so we must give ourselves permission to not be productive all the time. We may not get an entire day to just sit and do nothing. That’s probably not feasible.

However, we certainly don’t need to beat ourselves up for slowing down and taking a break. It’s OK to ask for help, take a nap or just do what it takes to survive for a day.

Let today be the day you give yourself permission to rest!

Prayer:

Dear God, it can be really hard for me to find time to rest. There is always so much on my to-do list, and I struggle to be still. So many people depend on me. Yet, I know you created me to need rest. Open my eyes to see opportunities for rest you give me. Help me to relax in peace knowing that having downtime isn’t a sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How the shepherds’ quick obedience challenges us to act when God calls

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’”

Luke 2:15 (NIV)

Have you ever had a moment when God asked you to do something? I have. A few years ago, I was at a local hardware store and heard an employee talking about the health struggles she was having.

God asked me to speak to her and tell her I’d pray for her since I also was dealing with my own health struggles and had for years.

I’d love to tell you I spoke with her, she was encouraged and we became good friends. But that’s not how the story goes. Instead, I resisted. I kept my mouth shut.

I wasn’t like the shepherds who immediately jumped up and took off to see the gift God had given them. I didn’t obey that day.

Their example is one we would do well to take note of and heed. More than anything, I want to be so in tune with God that when He prompts me, I act immediately without giving a second thought.

Prayer:

Dear God, forgive me for the times I have not followed your leading. Open my eyes and ears to see and hear you at work. Show me what you would have me to do, and give me the strength to do it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What Mary’s journey teaches us about faith and gratitude in tough seasons

”While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)

In 2012, I was pregnant at Christmas. My son was born the end of the following January, so I was very pregnant that year.

It was a miserable third trimester that involved a lot of pain and modified bedrest. Yet, that discomfort pales in comparison to what Mary surely experienced.

She gave birth in a stable of all places – without any women around to help her through the terrifying and overwhelming experience of childbirth.

Yet, the Bible tells us how Mary was positive. She said yes to God and followed Him wholeheartedly even when it was hard. Even when it didn’t make sense. And even when she knew those around her were going to judge her harshly.

Somehow Mary was able to be both miserable and thankful. That’s the attitude I want to maintain when times are hard. Because in every moment and struggle, there always remains something for which to be thankful.

One thing I know to be true: God is always good.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus into the world to save me from my sins. When I am struggling and miserable, give me strength to keep going. Help me to see the good around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Learn the power of speaking life into those around you

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!’”

Luke 1:41-42 (NIV)

When we talk about the Christmas story, we marvel at the strength and obedience of Mary – and we should. But we also need to pay attention to her cousin Elizabeth.

Right after the angel visits Mary, she goes to stay with her cousin Elizabeth. I can only imagine how overwhelmed Mary felt by learning she was going to have the Son of God.

She needed confirmation and encouragement. Right away, that’s exactly what Elizabeth did. She followed the Holy Spirit to encourage Mary.

Sometimes the best thing we can do to help those around us – from our children to our friends – is be the voice of encouragement. When people are facing difficult situations, they need a positive voice reminding them they matter and what they are doing is important.

In just one compound sentence, Elizabeth surely soothed Mary’s heart. Whose heart can you soothe today with kind words of encouragement?

Prayer:

Dear God, I know words are powerful. Thank you for this example of encouragement. Open my eyes today to see those around me who need a positive word from me. Give me the right words. And, if that person is the one I see in the mirror, help me to speak positively to myself. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Finding comfort in the promises of God

“For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke 1:37 (NIV)

These are the parting words the angel Gabriel said to Mary before he left her. He proclaimed God’s word and promise that both Mary and Elizabeth were going to have babies.

Mary’s situation was miraculous in having a baby who would be the son of God. Elizabeth’s pregnancy was also a miracle, because she was of advanced age.

Yet, the angel plainly reminded Mary that God’s Word won’t ever fail. We can still trust in it today. The Bible is full of promises and ways that God will be with us.

It tells us that God is always with us, and we don’t need to fear. It tells us that God loves us and calls us His own.

We can trust in the unchanging and infallible Word of God. If God has given you a promise to hang on to, and you just aren’t seeing anything happen, then just hold tight.

No word from God will ever fail. He’s working, even when you can’t see Him.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for your Word and the reminder that all your Words are true. Your promises are good, and I trust you with my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.