Weak moms, Strong God.

I was talking to my friend, Lisa the other day, and she told me that her newborn is waking up every two hours at night. Another friend has a couple of little ones extremely close in age, like myself. The older ones have stopped taking naps just as the little one is starting to walk. Then you roll out of bed to pour your coffee, and open your bible only to be able to read the first sentence before your little treasures walk out of their bedrooms bright eyed and ready for their day. Anyone tired yet? The season of mothering young children can be completely overwhelming. You have a vague memory of a life where you used to accomplish goals and tackle to-do lists, but these days you marvel when you get a shower before lunch time.

I am so thankful to be a mother. It is a precious gift and privilege. But the needs of your children can be non-stop. So how do you maintain what's most important? ------ You simplify.

What are the things that we cannot neglect? This is not a trick question. Our relationship with the Lord, our marriage, and the kiddos we were just discussing. How do we attend to those priorities when we are up every two hours at night? We create a plan.

We read God's word, I follow this plan here that walks you through the bible in two years. But if you click on that link, you can find a plan that fits your circumstance. Maybe every time you do the dishes you pray (I have so many dishes, that really would be "praying without ceasing."). Ask your husband to take the children for a half hour so that you can read scripture and pray.

And how about the wonderful reason you became blessed with all the chaos----- your marriage. Ask your husband what is one thing that's most important to him in your marriage right now? And what things can be dropped? Also continue to serve your husband by keeping the intimacy alive in your marriage. This can be hard when your completely drained at the end of the day, but try and find practical ways to treasure him.

The exhausting and all consuming season of caring for little ones is just that---- a season. Your kids will grow and you will be able to indulge in more complicated plans with little extras like showers in the morning. :)

What do our children need the most in us as mothers?

A mom who loves Jesus more than a mom who can do everything right.

We will all make mistakes and sin will be intermingled with even our best efforts. Trying to be a perfect mother for our children will always leave us discouraged, guilt-ridden, and weary. Our children need mothers who fix their eyes on Christ, and not the legalism of perfection. Life's trials can turn us into moms who strive for control and perfection. But It's a precious gift for our children to see their mothers with peace and joy amidst the challenges and circumstances. This also gives our children the opportunity to see a trustworthy Father.

As we take our eyes off of ourselves and fix them on Him, our kids will be exposed to something far greater and impactful that a mom striving for something unattainable. We will fail, but as we seek to know Christ in the tangible rythyms of life, we will grow to love Him more -------- and that love with naturally overflow into the lives of our precious children who are watching ever so closely.