Mama, you are equipped

I sat on the floor with my son while he laid on his back on a play mat. I watched as his arms and legs kicked and swung, hitting the rattles and stuffed animals suspended around him. I looked into his sweet little eyes, and saw him as a toddler, a small child, a teenager, and an adult. “Am I doing enough to make sure he becomes the best version of himself”? I wondered. “Am I talking to him enough? Giving him enough tummy time? Feeding him enough? Do I really know what I’m doing? I still feel like a kid myself!” Doubts and fears crept in, as they sometimes do when I let my mind go for too long. When I realized how far I’d gone off the deep end, I stopped myself and gave my thoughts to God. Slowly, I felt His encouragement wrap around me, and I leaned into the small voice that reminded me that God has equipped me for this role. I want to share these things with you, because God has equipped you, too! So here’s your reminder: 1) Your child is a child of God first, and God trusts you to take care of him/her while they are on Earth. 2) Your child isn’t comparing you to other moms in the way that you compare yourself to others. 3) You have the greatest tool to help you when you feel lost; the Bible.

1) God trusts you to take care of His child while they are on Earth.

It can be easy to feel like you aren’t a good enough parent for your child, especially when things aren’t going as planned. However, it’s important to remember that God has entrusted you with the job of parenting your children for a reason. God has specifically designed you for your child(ren), and them for you. You have been chosen by Him to raise and shape your little ones while they are here on Earth into the people they are meant to be. The Bible reminds us that children are a gift from God, and as parents, we have been entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing and training them in the ways of the Lord (Psalm 127:3). If God trusts us, then we should trust ourselves. If God sees us as equipped, then we should also see ourselves as quipped. But (thankfully) this doesn’t mean we need to rely on our own strength and abilities. We need to lean on the gifts God has given us in order to be the best parents we can be, including his love, grace, and wisdom.

2) Your child isn’t comparing you to other moms.

Unfortunately, it’s in our nature to compare ourselves to others in all aspects of life, including parenting. It’s easy to feel like you aren’t doing enough for your child when you see what other parents do for their kids. But along with remembering that God has entrusted you with your child, it’s helpful to remember that your child isn’t comparing you to other parents like you are. In fact, your baby probably thinks you are the most incredible mom on the planet – Because you are! The unique love and care that YOU give is exactly what they want and need. They don’t want the love that someone else has to give, because it isn’t their mom’s love! And I know this because it’s the way I feel about my mom. Even when I was a teenager, when I could compare my mom to other moms, I still thought my mom was the best. Of course we got into arguments and we didn’t always agree, but I ALWAYS felt she like she was the most incredible mom no matter what. It was HER that I loved and wanted as a mom, not anyone else. I know it’s easier said than done, but I hope this encourages you to let go of comparisons and trust in the special bond you have with your children.

3) You have the greatest tool to help you when you feel lost; the Bible.

Whenever we are in doubt about the way we are parenting (or anything for that matter!), we can turn to the Bible, which is soaked in truth, wisdom, and guidance. Meeting God in the Word is one of the best ways to hear what He has to say to us, including what He wants to say to us about parenting. Maybe turning to the Word will reveal to us that our doubts are actually convictions, and God is asking us to make a change in our parenting for the better. Or maybe we have a small seed of doubt about our abilities, and we need to turn to the Bible to remember where our strength comes from. Whatever it is that we need as parents, we should turn to the bible instead of our own thoughts. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways know Him, and He will make your paths straight.” The more we are in God’s word, the more we will act according to His will, and the more our actions will align with His best for us and our children. So, make it a practice to turn to the Bible regularly for guidance in your parenting journey, and trust in the Lord to lead you every step of the way.

So remember mama, you are equipped for this job because God has equipped you. God trusts you with His child, your child isn’t comparing you to anyone else, and you have God’s word to rely on always, especially in seasons of doubt. Take a d.e.e.p. b.r.e.a.t.h., and know that you are doing a great job. Allow the love and grace of God to guide you as you parent your children with the unique love only you can give.