Super Mom

Each morning in my email I get these devotionals from a Christian website. I look forward to them each and everyday. It's the first thing I do in my office as soon as I log on. Somehow it gets me started on the right foot.

Which this morning did not. I was irritated and upset with Dawson this morning. He was especially needy and I was trying to get ready for work. My apartment is a mess - not really messy but unstraightened. The dishes are done, but piled up clean and ready to put away. My bedroom floor has laundry piled and Dawson's room is a disaster. As I helped Dawson get ready this morning we were bantering about his room. He needed me to help him get a helicopter stuffed behind his bed he couldn't reach. You can't even walk across the floor without stepping on something. So, I began. "Dawson, we will not go on our trip this weekend unless this room and our house is clean." He was teasing, as we had been teasing, but his reply was "You clean it!" I did not take it lightly. Poor kid. I picked him up, set him on the couch, shook my finger at him and said, "NO! WE WILL CLEAN IT! OR WE WONT GO ANYWHERE!" Probably not the best approach. So, he was upset. I was upset and after a few moments of getting his shoes on I sat and held him apologizing. Trying to explain how much work it takes to keep our home clean and he could be a huge help to me if he would work hard to keep his room clean and organized. He accepted and off to work and school we went.

Of course I felt bad. I truly hate it when I lose my patience. I keep patient for so long, but then there is that final straw. My heart is constantly seeking the Lords help to keep control and NOT belittle Dawson but guide him to be all he can be.

So, this mornings devotional was just what I needed. It was perfect for me at this very moment. I read:

Ten years ago I sat in a seminar listening to a very organized mom talking about how she parented her kids. She was an amazing woman; a super mom in my eyes.
I held up my feeble efforts with my three toddlers and determined I stunk as a mother. I thought that maybe if I went home and imitated her, I could enter into the world of super moms.
I mentally listed out what I discerned must be her secret to success and set about to be just like her. But it didn't take me long to become absolutely miserable. I mentally beat myself up for not having what it obviously took to be a great mom. What was wrong with me?
I begged God to make me just like her - that really good mom. And then one day in Bible study I read the story of Mary, the teenage mother of Jesus. My heart beat fast as I realized she didn't meet the standard of super mom I'd set for myself.
Somehow, just as she was, God chose her to be Jesus' mother. And the only qualification that she seemed to have was her willingness.
I made the choice to try and let go of all those expectations I had for myself as a mom. I let go of the comparisons to other moms. I laid down the measuring stick of perfection. And I simply bowed my head and gave God my willingness.
Slowly, I started to see my own unique qualities as a mom instead of always focusing on the places I felt I fell so short.
I may not be the most organized mom, but I'm a fun mom willing to drop my to-do list in the name of spontaneity.
I may not do sit-down devotions with my kids every morning, but I'm good at helping my kids see God working in situations all throughout our days.
I may not sew a lick, but I know where to find an alterationist that is the bomb.
I may not always keep my cool in the everyday aggravations of life, but throw something big at me and somehow I'll be the calmest person in the room.
Sure, I have a lot of room for growth in my mothering. God and I work on things daily. But over the past ten years I've learned how to embrace who I am and the beauty of living fully as me.
And while I still fall short at times, I'm finally learning that being fully me is so much better than an imitation version of someone else.
I have the exact qualities God knew my kids would need in a mother. So, each day I hold up my willingness and ask God to make me the best version of me I can be.

Dear Lord, I admit that I am dependant on You in every area of my life, as a mother, a wife, a co-worker, a daughter, and a friend. Help me to understand the depth of Your love for me. Thank You for being familiar with me in all my ways. Thank You for laying your hand upon me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:If you are in the Dallas metro area, you're invited to be in the studio audience for the appearance of Lysa TerKeurst on the LIFE Today show with James & Betty Robison, Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free, but you must reserve your seat. Call 817-354-3655 or email audience@loi.org. The studios are located at 1801 West Euless Boulevard, Euless, Texas 76040.

Much Love,
Sandy