For the Days When you Don't Feel Qualified to be Mommy...

I have had one of those days!  You know what I'm talking about.  One of those days where you feel like, "What was God thinking giving me children?!"

I love my children so much.  They are a blessing to me, but often I feel inadequate at my job as a mom.  Maybe I'll grow into my role one day, but that seems so far away.

Brea, my second child, puts EVERYTHING in her mouth.  I thought Araylah was bad, but this child...she wants to taste it all!  Over the last few days she has ate: cardboard, foam, plastic vegetables, and the gel out of an unused diaper!  That's not counting everything she has TRIED to eat! 

Between my two kids, it's a wonder that Poison Control hasn't sent DHS to my house to investigate to see if I'm a fit mother!

I don't keep small toys around the house.  We put things away that we feel can be a hazard.  We teach our older one not to give the baby small items.  We also teach her to help us notice if she were to begin choking.  We lock things away that can be a hazard to children.  And Brea is carried around much of the day.  Yet, I still can't keep things away from her mouth! 

"What am I doing wrong?!  How could I let these things happen?  Shouldn't I know better?!"

These are just some of the things that I have thought about today, and many other days in the past.  I have cried while my 2 year old hugs and comforts me. 

Yet, in all my mistakes...in all my failures....despite trying to do the best I can....my children are alive and healthy.  They are certainly not because of my great mothering skills.  They are still here because God has a purpose for them.  He's not done with them yet.

So why do I have to have these days?  Well, for those of you who know me, may know that I struggle with pride.  God has a way of humbling me when I come to the realization that I'm not good enough.

You know, I can have days when everything is going right.  I can think my child is smart and ahead, or that they're doing something so well...I can get prideful about the hard work I've put in (thinking they are a direct result of my parenting skills).

Certainly I have a huge impact upon my children.  I'm not saying that I'm not.  But God is the one who directs their path.  But what I am saying is that even in the midst of my failures, God is still in control.  For you see, I have given the health, education, personality, and behavior of my children to God.  So even when I make a mistake, even when I make a big mistake, I know that God is on His throne!  Isn't that amazing to think about?!

You see, it's when I'm at the bottom...it's in those bad days....when I feel so inadequate as a mother.....it's in those days that God gets ALL the glory.  I am forced to humbleness because I see that there was no way I could have made the situation right.  Pride cannot live in my home when I am on my knees begging for God's mercy!

I have an important job as a mother.  I have the role of directing my children to God.  But even when I have these days that I feel they are in jeopardy (and that I put them there), God can be glorified. 

I just want to encourage you today as a mom.  You are not perfect.  There will always be a better mom out there than you.  There will always be another mom who is more patient, kind, loving, cooks better, can "get it all done", etc.  There will always be failures on your part.  We are imperfect creatures. 

But when you are feeling inadequate as a mom, might I encourage you to get on your knees and THANK God for what He has done and what He is going to do in your family's life?  Humble yourself before the one, true Holy God and ask for His mercy.  His grace is sufficient.  He will be your strength in your weakness.  Just remember that He is the One that is to be glorified!


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UPDATE!!!  I have a guest blogger who has just written on this very topic!  It's an outsider's point of view as she is looking into your life!  If you're looking for encouragement in this area, you can find it by clicking here!