Mom, You Are Enough: How to Stop Comparing and Rest in God

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“What do you do?”

Her question was an honest inquiry. She had never met a stay-at-home mom. She had no idea how many times her question haunts me. It chases the joy from my day as I compare what I do every day with other women.

Women who have several children and published books can be intimidating. Or who have thriving speaking ministries and a house full of both biological and adopted kids. I see women serving children in foster care and working in homeless shelters.

Then I look at myself and wonder.  “What do I do?”

I marginalize the tasks before me. I homeschool my children, but that isn’t a big deal. I teach them to love God and love others as themselves, but that really isn’t much. I co-teach a Connect Class on Sunday mornings at church, I help facilitate a short six-week Bible study, I am an assistant martial arts instructor, but it is never enough…NEVER ENOUGH.

I always feel inept, unable to keep my house clean, imperfect at making sure there is dinner on the table, and there are too many days that my frustration leaks out in angry loud words.

What do I do every day?

I lay a foundation in the lives of my children. One, I pray, is rooted in God and His Word that is full of humility and love. One that encourages the love of reading and learning and hard work. A foundation that values rest and laughter and community. A bedrock rooted in the certainty of who God is and who we are in an uncertain world. A foundation that acknowledges most folks don’t have the same foundation being laid down by a loving parent. And those folks need our love and encouragement and help.

In between the foundation laying I am teaching my children to be responsible for themselves: to wash laundry, pick up after themselves, learn to cook. I pray that they understand this life was never meant to be lived alone, but is meant to be interconnected with others. We are to help others with joy, and then when we need help we are to accept it with grace.

I am an oasis of peace and acceptance in a world that says you are never enough. I am a flawed giver of grace and patience when boundaries are tested and questions are flung. I am an anchor of truth when doubts and questions assail. I am a therapist when emotions run rampant and my children need tools to know how to handle their anger, frustration, and fear….

All while casting my fears on the God who sees me and loves me. He promises “…my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30 ESV)

I just need to do what God has for me to do today. What does that look like? I never know. Each day is an adventure with new things to learn and teach. New challenges to meet and opportunities to draw closer to the God who loves me, sustains me, and tells me, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

So moms are you heavy laden and weary? Are you tired of comparing yourself to others? Are you ready to rest in the work God has for you to do?

Today pray that God shows you what is on His agenda for your day. Then without comparing your job to someone else’s, take up God’s yoke and follow Him.

Stephanie Shott
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