Less than Our Best

Sometimes, we are just tired. Working outside the home, working in the home, sick children, non-napping children, traveling husbands, dirty houses, sick moms (wait...are we allowed to get sick???), to name a few. There are days when you may feel as though you aren't being a great mom. We have all had those days. We all dread those days. We wonder if we taught our child a thing, if we set more bad examples than good, and we wring our hands at night worrying about the eternal damage we have caused our dear, sweet child that day. Take comfort in this fantastic verse that a sweet friend posted on her Facebook wall. Isaiah 54:13 reads,

"All your sons (children) will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace."

Thank you, Jesus, for that verse! As we approach Mother's Day, remember that we will not and cannot do it all every day. God knows that we try our best, but that we are human and very often fall short of our amazing calling in motherhood. A midst all of our motherly duties, it is the Lord who truly raises our children. Isn't that a refreshing thought?! Some days more than others...especially those tired ones.

I remember the first Sunday of September 2011 when we dedicated our son to God. It was a beautiful and emotional time where my husband and I professed out loud that our sweet boy doesn't actually belong to us. He belongs to God. The Bible teaches that all children are a gift from Him, the Giver of everything that is good. We thanked the Lord for entrusting our son to us for as long as He sees fit. We promised to raise him in the promises and commands of the Word of God, and the church prayed guidance and wisdom over each set of parents dedicating their babies on that day. If you have never had the chance to publicly dedicate your children to our Savior, I encourage you to seek out an opportunity to do so. The peace that comes along with making that kind of commitment to the Lord is undeniable.

When you have an opportunity, read 1 Samuel 1 in its entirety. A beautiful excerpt speaking of trusting God to raise a child is from verses 26-28. It reads, "...As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord..."

Breathe a sigh of relief that if we trust in Jesus, our Savior and in God, the creator of the Universe, we can be sure that He is constantly watching over our children, even when we feel less than our best. Be blessed and rested today :-)