I will never forget those days and nights after bringing my first child home from the hospital. I honestly felt blindsided by the shift in role for me, by the all-encompassing enormity of the task of motherhood before me. Can anyone relate?

I had approached motherhood fairly confident that I had some credentials that prepared me for this role: At 34 years old, I had some life experience and 12 years of nursing under my belt. In addition, I had the most beautiful example of motherhood from my own mother on full display throughout my childhood and now adult life. 

But in the middle of the night, up with a beautiful newborn daughter who struggled to eat, sleep and nap, I cried tears, feeling completely overwhelmed and inadequate for the calling of raising this child. She was a true gift from my Father, and I was terrified I would mess up. Keeping her alive was one thing, but raising her into a thriving woman who would follow Jesus weighed on me heavily. Lies from the enemy combined with post-partum hormones (what a combo!) bombarded me. “You can’t do it…you don’t have what it takes.” I began to wonder, “God, maybe I’m not the right person for this.”

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” Motherhood ushered me into new depths of dependence and trust in our good Father. Over and over, we see people in the Bible telling God that they felt inadequate for the calling he had placed on them (Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, etc.) But with God, watch out! Like the loaves and fish that were multiplied exponentially when placed in Jesus’ hands, our lives, submitted to and remaining in Jesus, will bear MUCH fruit. Oh, how this comforts me! My job is to remain in him, to draw from the source of all LIFE. It’s not all up to me and my own abilities! He provides ALL (2 Corinthians 9:8) that I need to accomplish my calling because HE brings good works to completion (Philippians 1:6.) He is enough!

So, I need practical everyday life applications. HOW DO I “REMAIN” IN JESUS TO DO THIS THING CALLED MOTHERHOOD? Here are…

A Few Helpful Thoughts:

1. Talk to Jesus about everything, and often!—learn to listen and recognize his voice. Many times this takes the form of “breath prayers” when I need on-the-spot mom wisdom. “Jesus, help me to be the adult here and not lose my cool!” “Should I give my emotional teen space in this moment or try to initiate conversation?” “Lord, what should I make for dinner?” (I’m not even kidding about that one!) “Jesus, HELP!” John 15:7 says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
   
   
2. Find your tribe. I meet every week with a group of moms to pray for our kids, who all attend school together. We also pray for each other, our kids’ peers, and our school/community. We share many victories along with areas of struggle. I also have an accountability group that keeps me rooted and connected to Jesus. At Petra, Lipstick & Crayons is a thriving ministry that exists to encourage and offer fellowship to moms/women. Take advantage! Godly community is life-giving and vital!
   
   
3. Spiritual Moms: Honor and draw wisdom from Godly, seasoned mothers and grandmothers. They have been there, done that, and have loads of wisdom and life experience to offer. For you seasoned moms and grandmoms, we need you! We need your prayers and your wisdom. Please mentor us and speak into our lives! We value you incredibly!
   
   
4. God-Strength! Allow God to infuse you with confidence, courage, and strength to do the hard parts of parenting in this culture. Stand firm in the wisdom that you find in the Lord and his Word. We are raising the next generation of world changers in a culture that wars against the Truth of Jesus and his Word. Our top priority is connecting our kids to Jesus, giving them ample opportunities to know and experience him. The rest is just details. With this, be careful what voices you are listening to and whose report you are believing. Stay rooted in Jesus and the truth of his Word. 

That newborn I mentioned earlier is now 14, and she has a 12-year-old sister and a 10-year-old brother. Life is very full and wonderful. And yes, I am still learning what it means to “remain” in each new season. Jesus so desires to walk with us and equip us in our calling as moms. I am so grateful! Remain in Him; remain in the Vine. Take heart! In him, you are doing a fantastic job, mom!

Tags: mother's day, celebrate