Bottom line? Life can be tedious day in and day out. There aren’t many gold stars given to moms. We just work and work and work. And after awhile it’s easy to start to carry a grudge — resentment can creep in — and then the beauty of life starts to fade away. Dishes, and reading, and laundry, and cleaning, and teaching, and all that becomes overwhelming. Life appears to be a list of never-ending to-do items.
Bottom line? Those areas of life can be redeemed. They can be beautiful. For me, it’s when they’re surrendered. It’s those breath by breath moments asking for Christ’s strength coupled with asking Him to reveal the honor and beauty in being a mom. A wife. A daughter.
Bottom line? Society yearns to rob the dignity of womanhood from us. Being a mother isn’t noble — we hear. You’re not beautiful — screams in our faces. You’ll never measure up — we read. Everywhere we’re reminded of how we potentially fail. Truth? We’re (especially me) listening to the wrong voices. Rather than the taunts of the world we need to be focused on truth. My barometer of self can never be measured on the world’s scale. Ever.
Bottom line? I failed last night. I was crabby and discontent and overwhelmed. To make it worse, it was on Chloe’s birthday. Nothing like adding salt to a wound. I was just frustrated and tired and my family knew it.
Bottom line? My night was redeemed. Not by myself. But in humbling myself. Letting go of pride. And instead focusing on the truth in Christ. It took me stepping away. Taking ten minutes by myself. Honestly telling my kids that I needed to be alone for just a bit. And then looking at my mistakes. Writing. Admitting that I’m not perfect. Seeking forgiveness. And starting again.
Bottom line? I love that Christ’s mercies are new every morning. That is fabulous news. Especially for me…today’s bottom line? Letting go of that need for perfectionism and instead focusing on my word – content – and truly living that way.
18 comments
You have me explained to a T… Especially lately; we’re all sick so things are harder than normal. Thank you for laying this all out so well. I’m thankful for Godly examples of Biblical womanhood, like you!
Great reminder again today. Thanks Rachel.
I love this. What a beautiful reminder.
I am actually going through a similar situation. I am just thankful for God’s mercies like you said. being content has been on my #1 priority list. Being thankful. It’s refreshing to be reminded on these things.
Thanks dear friend. Keeping you in my prayers. Many blessings to you!!
~Dorcas
WHOAHOOOO! Yes, this is a struggle isn’t it? I have been reading in the bible about the influence we have to others (for me kids in particular) it’s hard to be on your ‘game’ all the time. I am grateful we have forgiving little eyes and forgiving Father! Each mercy is new each day right?
This is absolutely beautiful, Rachel. You totally blessed me.
I needed to read that, and you put it ever so gracefully. Thank you.
Such a good post! I love that we are redeemed by Christ. As our Pastor says, we are Justified…which means that it’s (just as if) we’ve never sinned.
Be Blessed!
hi-d
Such a wonderful picture of forgiveness. Often it’s my children who come up and humble me by forgiving me BEFORE I can even apologize. Love does cover a multitude of sins…..
hugs~ Cinnamon
My friend and I were JUST talking about this. How the world has these expectations of us and we become anxious about them or worry we’re not living up. But we’re under His grace and that is what matters. And yes, His mercy is new daily.
I’m blog-slacking this week b/c I’m crazy busy, but I needed encouragement tonight and I knew that this was the place to come. Thanks for posting and being so honest. I already had a “date night” planned w/ the Father tonight, and now I’m anticipating it even more.
So true and so very well said. Thank you for this. I needed it.
Wonderfully put! I had a similar morning, and felt myself spiraling down, away from the Lord and being content.
The wonderful thing is, the Holy Spirit grabbed ahold of me and reminded me of how much I have to be thankful for. I ran upstairs where my kids were drumming and we all started singing praise songs and, wonder of wonders…I was content once more.
My perfectionism ruins things more often than it rights them. Ironic isn’t, it? Thankful for those new mercies…not just in the morning, either because I need them (and they’re there) in the afternoon and the evening too – sometimes all in one day!
Be content…and may God lead you there when you forget!
Such a beautiful reminder of God’s mercies and redemptive love!
More moms should do that. So many push ahead no matter what instead of taking a “time out”…taking a breath…realizing what you’re doing and admitting when you’re wrong. And oh my there will be times when you’re wrong! Way too often at this end!
Always here praying!
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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thanks for the reminder that HIS mercies are new every morning! I so relate to how you feel. (((hugs))) friend!
Stacy
Abba smiles at you a LOT, I’m sure. You are so beautiful.
I love you,
Natalieh