Led By Grace

I often spend time reflecting on my role as a mother. Especially on Mother’s Day, I like to know that I am doing a good job. As a woman who wears many hats, including working a full-time job, I often feel inadequate. I admit that I compare myself to other moms who appear to have it all together. I have tried to be the best mom that I know how to be. I fall short. I am not perfect. I need much improvement.

I get angry at my kids. I lose my temper and I hurt their feelings. It isn’t any surprise to me then when my children do the same with one another. I don’t want to model anger to my children. I want to model peace and I want my home to be a place of refuge and not of strife.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (Psalm 4:8

I can be selfish with my time. After a long day’s work, it’s easy to hide my face in a book or at the computer and forget that there are four human beings that God has so graciously gifted me with that need my time and attention. I must take the time to model Jesus to my children. When they come to me for attention, I must realize that it is an opportunity to not only be with them, but to teach them about God.

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14)

I am not very good at asking for forgiveness of my children. I find that I harbor unforgiveness towards myself when I mess up as a mom and that makes it hard. I want to model forgiveness so that my children will not harbor bitterness in their hearts towards one another. I want to learn how to forgive so that I will be forgiven.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:12-13)

I’ve been known to tell my kids to “wait”, “I’m too busy”, “not now” and “leave me alone” far too many times than I would care to admit. So then why do I get angry when my children do the same with me? I want my words and actions towards my children to solidify in their hearts that next to God and their daddy, they are the most important in my life. I must put action behind my words. I must lay aside my selfish desires for the sake of my children.

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (1 John 3:18)

As a mother, I must be led by the grace of God. And I must extend grace to myself and to my children. I don’t yet have a handle on this role that God has called me to. My children are gifts I do not deserve. Yet God must think I am a pretty good mom to bless me with four children who love and are serving the Lord.

Before I know it, my children will be grown up and gone. They will leave the nest, marry, have children of their own and begin to live their own lives. It is my prayer that one day my children will call me blessed, not for anything material that I obtain, but for always extending grace to them and showing them that they are safe, valued, forgiven, loved and cherished.

Her children arise and call her blessed; (Proverbs 31:28a)