This motherhood gig
is tough stuff. I’ve been reading Christian blogs on parenting and marriage for
more than 5 years now. I’ve been writing on my own for just as long. I felt
like God had planted a seed in my heart to be shared with other mamas – but the
“unworthy” lies of the enemy kept me silent. Finally – in late winter, earlier
this year, I decided to take a leap of faith and join the blogosphere with a
little “mama” space of my own. I was terrified – putting myself out for the
world to see, and read. And then, sooner than I would like to admit, my blog
became more about stats and page views and less about the message I was
delivering – and I stopped. Suddenly I had made this ministry about me and not
about Him, and without Him, there’s just no point.
I
have days, months, seasons just like you. Times when I feel like a bad mama, a
bad wife, a bad friend, a bad Christian. Times when I don’t measure up in my
husband’s eyes, my kids’ eyes and I’m certain, not even God’s eyes. I lose my
identity in the madness of this crazy, busy life and I lose focus.
We
are taught, by society, that we have one life to live, you only live once, and
all the other tacky clichés go on. We are torn between what and who we are
living this life for. Girlfriend, I understand that frustration, that
loneliness, and that “burnt out” feeling all too well. I know all too well what
it’s like to feel like all we do isn’t really making a difference. I lose sight
of who I am easily. Yes – I am “wife”, “mama”, “employee”, “friend”, “daughter”
– but, above all else…I am the child of the One True King.
“26 So
in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for
all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
– Galatians 3:26-27
When
this life gets to be TOO MUCH – when you feel like you are falling short in all
areas of your life – sometimes you have to go back to the starting place. Before
you married that handsome man of yours, before you birthed those beautiful
babies, before you entered this world as an infant yourself – you were God’s.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 5:1
I can only offer
advice that I have used and benefited from. And I know this – these things
work. When you start to feel isolated in your own world, often times it’s
because you have relinquished connection with The Most High. I understand you
are busy – we all are. This time of year is especially chaotic. But, if you
keep plugged into the Word, stay on your knees in prayer, and stay connected to
your life source – you will find the strength to wade your way through the
busyness without losing your sanity and your joy.
I challenge you (and
myself) – to make reading your Bible and going to the Lord in prayer a priority
EVERY DAY. Set your alarm 30 minutes early so you can get up, have that coffee J and begin your day
with God. Use your lunch break as your study time, or, have your quiet time
after the kids go to bed.
You can’t be your
best for everyone else if you aren't taking steps to BE. YOUR. BEST. And you are
only your best when you are living in obedience to Him.
