I’m not the perfect mom that sometimes social media might portray. (It’s that way for all of us scrolling through Instagram, you know! We show highlights, not the moments where we lose it with our kids.) I’m not even close. I don’t have it all together. I don’t even have half of it together. Whatever “it” is.
If I’m being perfectly honest and transparent with you, which I always strive to do, lately I’ve been discouraged. I get mad at my kids yet again. We have the same discipline issues. Again. We have slamming doors. Again. And tears, don’t forget the tears.
On a particularly bad day last week, I went grocery shopping by myself and after I was finished, I got in the car and just sat there for a few moments. You might say I was enjoying a few moments of quiet.
With some chocolate. Ahem.
As I was sitting in my mini-van the song Good, Good Father came on.
Cue the tears.
If you haven’t heard this song before, take a few minutes and listen…I will wait right here. It’s worth it. Praise our Father God for His goodness.
I’m not a good, good mom. I mess up daily. My flesh gets in the way. I’m selfish. I would rather do what I want to do. I get mad more often that I would like to admit. I have expectations of my family members that are very rarely met, and that frustrates me. My children are human just like I am.
So much grace is needed in our families, yes?
So, so much grace.
But, God.
God is the perfect Father. He is good. He is so, so good. His ways are good. His answers are good. His yes’s are good. His no’s are good. His creation is good. His love is pure. His grace is sufficient. His mercy is unending. His forgiveness is vast. His Word is a treasure.
I am reminded, yet again, that in my weakness HE IS STRONG.
I thank God that though I fail daily at this parenting thing, He does not. Though I stink as a mom, He is a good {perfect} Father. I thank Him that His grace and His goodness are MORE than enough to cover my mistakes. And I pray {as I do daily} that my kids will be reminded of that grace when I fail them yet again. I pray that they see His goodness in the midst of my weakness. I pray that His bigness will cover my smallness and inadequacy. Because when I am weak, He is strong. In my limitations, He is powerful.
In my mistakes, He is grace.
In my lack, He is plenty.
Wherever you are today, friend, He is your grace and your plenty, too.
{Journaling Bible / Letter Stickers / Washi Tape / Date Stamp / Watercolors}
This post is exactly the struggle and the desire I’ve faced lately. I struggle with getting angry and not following through on discipline. I so desire to be the best mom but fail. Thank you for your transparent and encouragement! Grace grace gods grace! He is strong in our weakest failures!
Hannah, thanks so much for commenting. I’m so glad the post was encouraging for you…we encourage each other a lot more when we are transparent with each other rather than trying to compete or put on a facade that we have it all together. So thankful for our good and gracious Father!
I know the Lord was with me last night during our most recent attempt of a spiritual home invasion. He saw me through and was definitely my strength. Thank you for the encouraging words as I realize the enemy will return, but he is already defeated. I love my children and I will not settle for the enemies plans to destroy them. I will stand on the promises of God and believe His report. Thanks again.
Standing on the promises of God!! YES!!! Joining you in the battle against the enemy for the hearts of our children. Standing firm!
My dear, beautiful online friend. I simply cannot tell you how following your blog blesses me every.single.day. I’ve “known” you since way back in my Five In A Row days on the forum and just wanted to tell you how beautiful your blog and your encouragement are and what it means to me. Thank you for sharing so much, so candidly and honestly. God is using you in ways you just can’t imagine!! Bless you, bless you!!!
Lisa, thank you so much for your sweet words. It means so much to me!! Blessings on YOU and your family as well!! (I miss our FIAR days! Waaaaaaaaahhhhh. Kids are growing up too fast!)
Candance,
I just came across your web site and not sure how, but God does. My children are grown and believe me it goes faster than yo want it to. I look back and think all I did was work come home cook, dishes, laundry, homework and bed. Ny 17 yrs old daughter went to heaven and it is the hardest thing in the world to get up every day. I lost my job, because I couldn’t function any more and then my husband lost his and I pray that we don’t loose our house. I would love for your readers to pray for us and have God show us a way to be able to “live” and trust him again.
Savor the moments with your children.
Your situation reminds me how blessed we are to have our children (despite the kaos in our everyday lives similar to what Candace is experiencing). A lot of us are in the same boat of juggling our numerous daily tasks and striving to be the best mom for our children. Thank you for your advice to cherish our children every moment.
I couldn’t imagine what it must feel like loosing a child.
You can count on my prayer for you and your husband. May GOD give you comfort and peace through this difficult time. I pray that HE will place HIS mighty hand over you and your husband. That your faith will be restored.
Oh Deborah! I am so very sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine. I am praying for our loving and good Father to wrap His arms around you and that you will tangibly feel His love and His comfort in the coming days, weeks and months.
I’ve heard that song a few times before and it’s a wonderful reminder of how good HE is to us even when we are not.
Oh my word I am just seeing this. I found your website while searching for Lent scripture writings. I LOVE LOVE it. Anyway, you know when God just gives you a song? Last week during my bible study He gave me the Good, Good Father Song. And here I am on your website again and I find this. AMAZING!! I LOVE how God does that. There are no coincidences with Him!! Thank you for allowing God to use you.