If you’re anything like me, you mess up as a mother all the time. I’m talking daily. And you know what? That doesn’t make us bad moms. It makes us normal.
Have you been duped into thinking good moms never make mistakes? Never snap, never get impatient, never need a break or a weeklong vacation to Hawaii?
Well, okay, maybe you don’t need a tropical getaway. But I’m guessing you do need somebody to tell you you’re not a bad mom—in spite of all your flaws.
Today is your day. Here are five lies you might be believing about motherhood—and the truth that sets us free.
Lie #1: Good moms don’t get angry.
You bet your booties they do. Especially when the kiddos play kickball in the kitchen and break their momma’s favorite coffee mug. Hey, even Jesus got angry. Anger itself is not the problem. How we let it build up and spew out our mouths, well, that’s the real issue.
“ ‘In your anger, do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26–27).
Lie #2: It’s my job to worry about my kids.
No, actually, your job is to feed and train and nurture your kids—not to worry about them. Erma Bombeck, the original mommy blogger, once said, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” So try spending that mental energy on prayer instead.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Lie #3: There just aren’t enough hours in the day.
Oh really? Tell that to the Guy who set the Earth on its axis. If God gave us 24 hours in a day, then whatever is worth doing—according to God—ought to fit within the parameters he designed. Moms are busy people, that is true. Yet maybe what we really need is not more time but more discernment between what God asks of us and what we’re adding to our own heavy plates.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Lie #4: My children need me more than my husband does.
Well, your husband may not need you to change his diapers or check his math homework, but he still needs you—in ways you may not even realize. Someday the kids will be grown and raising kids of their own, and you’ll sit across the dinner table from your handsome groom once again, just the two of you. Will you have anything left to talk about? Invest in your husband now—because your commitment is for a lifetime, not “til children do we part.”
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Mark 10:9).
Lie #5: Good moms sacrifice themselves for their children.
This one is partially true. Jesus sacrificed his very life for us. Yet while he was engaged in public ministry, Jesus was also the first one to retreat to a mountaintop to fill his own tank with prayer and rest. Why? Because he knew he could not give what he hadn’t first received from the Father. Neither can we. Yes, good moms sacrifice. But the most effective moms also take care of themselves so there’s something left to offer everyone else.
“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons” (Deuteronomy 4:9, NASB).
Have you been trying to parent your kids in your own strength? It’s time to make a change. Jesus says, let me take over from here. Heaven knows raising children requires superhuman power, and only the Lord has it.
My new book, The SuperMom Myth: Conquering the Dirty Villains of Motherhood, is now available in bookstores nationwide. It’s packed with encouragement, humor, relatable stories, and strength drawn straight from scripture that we moms can use to battle the lies and discover within ourselves the beautiful moms God designed us to be. Claim a copy for yourself, and grab another to give to a friend. What better gift can you give a busy mom this Christmas season than the chance to laugh at herself, build up her family, and accept amazing grace from Jesus?
Hugs to you, sweet moms! We’re in this together—mess-ups and all.
Blessings,
Becky
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