What does God’s grace look like for a mom?
Motherhood is complicated. God’s grace for a mom is not.
Motherhood is this mishmash of joy and disappointment, frustration and pride. It’s the warm fuzzies of snuggles at night pock-marked by the guilt and regret of a raised voice and the harsh word we wish we could take back and hope they don’t remember.
Indeed, we are cracked pots and clay vessels of momming (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Motherhood is Complicated: Did God Make a Mistake?
He was just 6 months old—maybe younger. I couldn’t settle our younger son, and nothing I did quieted his unrelenting cries. My babe was safely upstairs while I sat sobbing on the couch, whaling at God for not keeping His promises.
You told me you would never leave me. You made me a mommy after all these years, and now You’ve left me with my son that I can’t comfort. My heart is reeling from failure, brokenness, and all my lack. I can’t do this! Where are you, God?
Both our sons were long-awaited and much-desired gifts to us. Yet, I was undone by the cries of my boy, wondering if God made a mistake when he chose me.
Have you ever been there–when the joys and hopes of motherhood come crashing down in a reality that’s heavy and hard, more than you can bear?
Motherhood is complicated. God’s grace is not.
God’s Grace for a Mom is Not
Moments after I cross-examined God for His lack of faithfulness, my phone rang.
Hey Jennifer. I feel like the Holy Spirit has been prompting me to call you all morning, but I let myself get busy. He keeps telling me to call you so I finally put the laundry aside and dialed your number. What’s going on, my friend?
I poured out my heart in short order, accusing God all over again—proclaiming God had made a mistake!
Gently, but with authority, Kristine reminded me of these words God spoke to Paul as his torment was ratcheting up:
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).
“God made you his mama on purpose. God knew who that little boy would need as he grows and matures in his relationship with Jesus and leaves God’s mark on this world.
“Your power isn’t enough—that’s true. But God’s power is and besides God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8: 28, NIV).
And mama, you’re called, and God has a purpose for you and that boy together!”
God’s Grace Works Through the Fractures of Life
There it is again. God’s desire to work His glory and for our good through the fractures common to this life—this time, brazenly in motherhood.
That’s what grace for a mom looks like.
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It pushes through the Enemy’s lies. He says we aren’t good enough or strong enough.
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God’s grace says, I am enough for you and with you.
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It breaks the power of those toxic whispers telling us God made a mistake, or worse, that we are a mistake.
- God’s grace says, I have called you by name and have chosen you.
God’s grace births strength out of weakness and glory out of brokenness.
It doesn’t matter whether your eyes are weary from sleepless nights for mamas of babies and toddlers or if your body suffers fitful sleep brought on by grown children and their grown-up struggles.
God’s grace speaks what God’s Enemy cannot:
The One who called you is faithful and He will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24, RSV).
And it’s enough.
God’s grace is sufficient.
And it’s not complicated.
God’s Grace for Your Earthen Vessel
Where are you “curled up on the couch,” certain God’s made a mistake, or that you’re not up to the task? What lie is God’s Enemy and yours speaking?
In those places
- pursue God’s grace
- study God’s grace
- pray God’s grace
- receive God’s grace
- live into and through God’s grace.
And when momming gets especially complicated, I’ve asked God to send you a phone call with a ‘Kristine’ on the other end!
RESOURCES for GROWING IN GRACE AS A MOM
- Connected Families Podcast, Ep. 61: “Grace and Truth for Moms”
- Connected Families online course called Grace and Truth for Moms with Lynne Jackson.
- Grace Enough Podcast with Amber Cullum
- Masquerade of Motherhood (M.O.M.) Podcast with Courtney Doyle
Until next time, may God’s absurdly generous grace go before you, be in you, to you, and through you.