My life is far from glamorous. I think most of my mom friends would agree with that statement. We deal with a lot more poop than we’d like to admit, our homes still haven’t learned to clean themselves, and there’s that pesky thing called laundry. Sometimes, when the to-do list gets too long and the toddler questions become too much, I forget I’m living my dream. Though it might not seem like a dream to some (It’s pretty normal, after all), but to little girl me, being a mommy was the dream. I toted my babies around everywhere and begged my parents to let me carry them into church. To teenage me, being a wife was the dream. I longed for and prayed for my husband, years before I ever met him.
Since most of my days are normal, I often lose this perspective. I get caught up in comparison, fall to discontentment, and lose my joy. None of these things glorify my Savior who gave me these precious gifts. When thoughts from our former selves creep in, let’s pick up our Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God and do battle against the Enemy. Satan so badly wants us to lose joy in our motherhood, but Jesus has much more for us. Here are a few strategic battle points we can fight with:
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb of a reward,” Psalm 127:3 (ESV). This verse pretty much speaks for itself- our children are gifts straight from God. It’s easy to say this, but how often do our attitudes, words, and actions actually match up? Do we speak to and about our children as if they’re gifts? Or do we complain more about the spills, messes, and questions? When they’re driving us crazy or we feel like we need a break, let’s fight for joy with this verse. Let’s remember our children are gifts, and then let’s steward these precious gifts for the glory of God.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13 (ESV). In context, this popular verse is actually teaching we can be content and trust God in all things through Christ. Mamas, we can be content in the midst of crazy grocery trips, never ending homework, and meal planning. We can trust God as we make tough decisions with and for our children. When our hearts are discontent, we’re really telling Jesus we don’t like what he’s given us, or he hasn’t given us enough. We must stop comparing our lives to what we think someone else’s life is like. Maybe we should stop scrolling social media or Pinterest so much, and instead, fix our eyes on Christ and all he’s done for us. Imagine how greatly Christ is glorified when our satisfaction is in him rather than in a nicer home, or a break from the to-do list. Yes, mamas, in Christ, we can be content and trust him in all things.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart,” Psalm 37:4 (ESV). My boys that shoot me with Nerf guns to welcome me home are this verse in the flesh. The Lord was gracious to answer my desire for a family (Disclaimer: This doesn’t mean God always gives us exactly what we want when we want it, but he does transform our desires to match his as we delight in him, & his timing/plan in all of this is always perfect). This verse helps us battle to remember the answers to many prayers. This verse reminds us to praise God for granting these desires, even on the tough days.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” John 10:10 (ESV). In the midst of the mundane, let’s remember Jesus came to give us abundant life. No, abundant life isn’t a Pinterest-worthy house, a long soak in the tub, or having money to dress our kids in the nicest clothes. Abundant life is a life lived for the sake of Christ. It’s having joy and purpose in the middle of the mundane. Abundant life can happen right in our living rooms, cars, or at our jobs. Those thoughts that creep in of entitlement, discontentment, and comparison aren’t from our Savior. Those are from the Enemy because he wants to steal our joy, kill our purpose, and destroy our contentment. Mamas, even in motherhood we most definitely can and should walk in the abundant life Jesus gave his life for.
Of course, little-girl me didn’t realize all the work that came with motherhood and adulting. I was simply playing dress up and planning pretend vacations with my friends. However, I’m doing exactly what little-girl me wanted. I have the sweetest and most fun kids and the best husband. Honestly, my life is more than little-girl me ever dreamed, all thanks to Jesus who does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). Dear friends, when Satan tempts us that we deserve a more “glamorous” life or are entitled to more “breaks,” don’t give in. Consider Jesus and all the ways he’s been faithful to you. Look back and praise him for his hand at work, and then, in the present, live that moment for the glory of God. Our motherhood has great purpose. It’s far more than changing diapers and doing laundry. No, our motherhood is for the glory of God. Little-girl me didn’t realize that yet, either, but 30-year old me is soaking up and loving that part of motherhood. We’re raising world-changers for the Kingdom, and that’s far better than any “glamorous” or Pinterest-worthy life.
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