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.

Trusting in God’s unfailing presence through the ups and downs of motherhood

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Knowing that God is there for us and will strengthen us whenever we face trouble is incredibly comforting and encouraging. Even better is that He is there to help us no matter the trouble from struggles with potty training to sending your kiddo off to college.

I love picturing an image of God holding me in his arms when I’m weary and overwhelmed. I imagine being surrounded by God’s love and filled with his strength. 

This verse reminds me of that. Even when I am struggling and don’t feel like I’m doing a good job as a mama, God is right there with me.

In the busyness and overwhelm of life, I try to find ways to seek God as my refuge through things like devotional time, prayer time and listening to Christian music.

Today, we can let God hold us when we are too weary to keep going!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for being our refuge and strength always. Lord, lift me up today and strengthen me. Help me through all of the troubles I face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God meets you in silence with His perfect understanding

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Figuring out what and how to pray is sometimes challenging. Even as someone who has been in church her whole life and feels a close connection to God, I still struggle with having the right words.

Because the truth is, life is difficult. There are situations I face that I don’t even know what to ask God to do. I’m rendered basically speechless.

That’s where the Holy Spirit steps in. How perfect is God in knowing our needs and meeting them before we even realize the issue is there?!

For those times when you don’t even know what to pray, rest assured the Holy Spirit is bringing requests to God on your behalf. God doesn’t forget you when you are at a loss for words. In fact, I think that’s often when he steps in the best.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for taking care of my needs even before I know I have them. I ask for your guidance and wisdom in all I have going on in my life. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why God’s friendship means everything in the loneliness of motherhood

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Something that surprised me about motherhood was how lonely it can be. I’m a natural introvert who thrives on alone time. As a mom, getting alone time in the early years can be downright difficult or even impossible.

Yet, it can also be so lonely and draining. We spend every moment of the day giving ourselves away. Finding the time or energy to talk with someone else about how we’re doing can be a challenge. And that’s assuming we have someone with whom we can talk who understands us.

I have learned time and again – especially during a season of one loss after another – that God is dependable. He doesn’t leave me and is right there to listen to me.

Since becoming a mom, I appreciate the friendship of God more than ever. I am thankful He is there when I’m up with a sick child in the middle of the night or fretting about a challenge one of my kids is facing while I’m washing my hair.

We are able to find contentment, joy, peace and friendship with our Heavenly Father at all times.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for always being with me. I appreciate having you as a friend who is constant, dependable and true. When I’m feeling lonely and out of sorts, remind me of your goodness and presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why you can trust God’s promises, even when life shifts

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

Joshua 21:45

Have you ever made a promise you couldn’t keep? I have. It’s not that we’re lying or trying to be mean. Instead, life sometimes happens, and plans have to change. We can end up disappointing the people who love the most – our families.

However, I am thankful that God’s promises never fail. This verse talks about His promises never failing to Israel, but it is true for us as well. And, let’s just think about the Israelites for a moment.

They were God’s chosen people. They followed Him closely, except when they didn’t. They got distracted and sidetracked so many times. They doubted God. They made idols to worship. They let other people influence them.

In short, they were just like us. Yet, God remained faithful and true to the promises He made them just as He will for us. That’s the God we serve!

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and the promises you make in my life. When I start to have doubts and get distracted, bring me back to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rest in God’s presence and feel His love when you need it most

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”

Exodus 33:14

When my son was 4, we moved from the house he’d always lived in up until that point. Recently, he was sharing with us that he has only a few memories from living there.

One of those memories is a time he was upset and lying on his bedroom floor. He might have been crying. What he remembers most, though, is how I responded.

Instead of lecturing him or getting upset with him, I just laid down beside him in his preschool misery. Honestly, I don’t remember this specific moment, but I know I’ve had quite a few like it in motherhood.

Because, sometimes our children need most for us to just be with them in their misery so they know they aren’t alone. They can rest in our presence and know they are loved.

This is exactly what I picture with God. Sometimes I’m so beside myself that I fret and wail and flail. I want to lie on the floor and throw a fit.

And you know what He does? He lays there with me and puts His arms around me – even when I’m upset because of something I messed up on my own. He lets me just feel His love and support so I can rest and then get up and keep going.

Enjoy God’s rest today in whatever you’re facing. He will be there to hold you close and give rest to your weary heart.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for always being with me. Help me to feel your presence today and be able to truly rest in you. I get so weary and need your strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Trust in God’s promise of strength to transform exhaustion into hope

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

Before I became a mom, I thought I knew what being tired meant. I’d been through graduate school taking classes and working. I’d dealt with chronic pain and various surgeries even.

But nothing is tired like mom tired, especially new mom tired. Even now that my kids are a bit older and in school, I look back at their early days and wonder how I made it. Besides lack of sleep, there are so many other parts of motherhood that just make us weary. It’s constant and takes challenges us mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually

Motherhood is neither for the faint of heart nor the weak of disposition! I can think of no other time in my life I have needed and relied on the strength of God more to increase my power – energy! – than since I’ve been a mom.

Sometimes we forget that God understands where we’re coming from. He knows our exhaustion and weariness. In the midst of it all, He is right there with us through it. When that baby gives you a smile that keeps your going or when that teen stops for a quick hug on their way out the door that refreshes you, God is right there in the middle of it.

Ask Him for His strength in your weariness today and be on the lookout for how He’ll provide it for you, because He surely will!

Prayer:

Dear God, today I am weary. I’m tired and out of energy. Give me your strength for all that I face today. I claim your promises that you give strength to us when we are weary and increase our power when we are weak. I need you today, Father. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

An encouraging devotional for Christian moms caught in the fray of life