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Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

devotion

No experience has left me to grapple with my own weakness like being a mother. Every day I spend with my girls I am well aware of my weaknesses and shortcomings as a mother. These shortcomings and imperfections can sometimes leave me feeling discouraged. But, as I have surrendered these areas and moments of weakness to Christ, I have found the strength, love, and power only found through Him.

For me, motherhood began with carrying two little lives inside of me. It became 10 months of virtually sleepless nights, almost non-stop feeding, and countless reasons to be thankful in it all. Now, this kindergarten year of homeschooling looks like learning new routines and new skills. They may be the students, but I have just as much to learn as they do. Through these changing seasons, God keeps reminding me of the same lesson: I am in desperate need of Him, and when I forget that, I am prone to depend on my ever-failing flesh.

This lesson was first pressed upon my heart when my girls were only a couple months old. Overnight they were up feeding at least every two hours and did not sleep well during the day either. I was spent and tired. I cried out to God and said, “Lord! I need sleep!” He gently spoke to my heart, “You need Me.” I was reminded of the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. My weakness was an opportunity for God to display His strength, and no matter how I may feel in a moment, Jesus is what I need most.

Motherhood is ministry. Viewing motherhood as ministry helps me view my days and my interactions with my children as an opportunity for God to be glorified, rather than an opportunity for me to strive for perfection. Homeschooling my girls this year has been a blessing and has been used by God to refine me. When I am unkind or short with my girls, I have two options: justify my behavior because of how they had been acting or take ownership for my own failings and lead in apologizing. As children, they have biblical expectations for correct behavior, and I have biblical expectations for correct behavior as their mom. A memory verse for me in this season has been Galatians 5:16. When I am seeking to be Spirit led and Spirit filled, I will not act according to my flesh and its desires.

In the beginning I thought apologizing would highlight my weakness. Now, I use my apologies to not only address my shortcomings, but to magnify the sufficiency of Christ. I do not have to be a perfect mom; in fact, I cannot be a perfect mom. But I can parent in such a way it reveals my need for Jesus and teaches my children about their deep need for Jesus too.

pray

Dear Lord, please give me grace as I parent. Please help my life to bear the fruit of Your Spirit before my children. In the moments I fall short, help me to apologize well and lift You high. I thank You for my children. I thank You for Your presence, and I pray my children will choose to love You and keep Your commands. 

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