Lately my brain has felt like mush. We’ve recently added a new family member to our car along this journey and I feel like I’ve been catapulted right back to the newborn phase. Our new member is 4 years old so it’s not like I’m up all night nursing a baby, but there are a lot of similarities–right down to the mushy brain feeling. I can’t seem to think clearly to save my life, especially when I sit down to write something for Mommy Map after the kids have gone to bed.
Along with the problem I have with organizing my thoughts, I also am weakened in my ability to fight the voices in my head. No, I’m not crazy. I think I’m just normal. Don’t you get voices that harp on your ability to parent your children? You know the ones–the ones that tell you that you stink as a mom? Well, I guess they are not just limited to parenting. I also have thoughts that remind me how I’m not measuring up as a wife, friend, example to other moms, wife of a church staff member, daughter…and the list goes on. These voices pretty much tell me constantly how I am not perfect enough. I wrestle with them all the time and, now, when my resistance is low it gets worse.
But I fight these thoughts. Sometimes I am able to pull up my bootstraps and think some “Pollyanna” thoughts or to meditate on some great motto like, “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”, but to be honest, my own human efforts don’t give those voices a 1-2 punch as well as the Word of God does. You see, I can easily loose focus and forget that it is not me that makes me successful as a mom. It is not me that gives me the strength to get through this day. In fact, realistically–I’m not even competent to do this on my own.
Colossians 1:29 – “To this end I labor struggling with all HIS energy, which so powerfully works in me.” (emphasis mine)
II Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
II Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
As I am learning much about grace lately, especially learning how to give my perfectionist self some grace, the last verse is something I stumbled upon this past week. It reminds me (and those voices in my head) that even though I don’t feel equipped or qualified to be doing this job called “Motherhood”, God will give me everything I need to do this job. Not only will He give me what I need, but He will empower me to ABOUND in it! Whew! Thank goodness because if it was solely up to me, I would’ve been dead in the water a long time ago.
Even though I write this parenting blog and people ask me advice all the time, it doesn’t mean I don’t struggle. I think all of us moms need some encouragement because I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in hearing those “voices.” Let me encourage you, dear sister, that you are doing a great job. Ignore those voices, press on and rely on Him to give you the strength to do the most important job in the whole world–motherhood. My own advice is taken.
You’re doing a fantastic job as a mom! We are proud of how well you roll with the punches and tend your flock. The voices lie, so listen to God’s word.
Mom & Dad