3 Gifts to Give Yourself that Will Make a Difference in Your Life as Mom
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With Mother’s Day approaching in just a few days, you might take a minute and think about these gifts to give yourself. Yes, really. You can give yourself three important things that will make a huge difference in how you live and how you love the people around you.
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Years ago all my mother wanted for Mother’s Day was a clean house. At 5, 15, and 25, I didn’t get it.
Today, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND what my mother was talking about. Completely.
Even with six kids old enough to clean the house (mostly) by themselves, it seems that keeping it clean could be a full time job.
Interestingly enough, that wish for a clean house, well…
It’s about more than cleaning.
A clean house is not just the physical aspect of cleanliness, as good as that is.
A clean house relieves that mountain of guilt moms tend to carry around.
On the flip side, a messy house is a reminder of what a failure you are. As you juggle responsibilities and let some things slide, a messy house reminds you as soon as you walk in the door that you are failing in some area.
You can’t do it all. Did you forget that? Your messy house reminds you.
Perhaps the housekeeping illustration isn’t working for you. There are cleanies in our midst, God bless you, for whom cleaning is second nature. Your house doesn’t get messy; that’s cool. You just don’t get that particular reminder of your weaknesses.
Consider instead these scenarios:
- perhaps dinnertime isn’t what you wish it was each night
- or maybe you’re often late to pick up our kids from school and other activities
- perhaps your family has no idea where their clean laundry is
- or maybe your car is constantly running on empty
Maybe you are imperfect in different ways.
I get ya. You see, each of us is failing in some way. And many of us suffer from the Wonder Woman complex.
We think that we should do it all, even though none of us can.
While a clean house is still top on my wish list, I suggest these other gifts you can give yourself:
3 Gifts to Give Yourself that Will Make a Huge Difference in Your Life
Perspective
Remember that you cannot do it all. No one can. And we really should stop trying to.
There will be seasons when you are on a roll and seasons when you struggle. Learn to accept that. Start by recognizing your limits.
Forgiveness
You have probably messed up this past week. Well, let’s face it, you’ve probably messed up already today. I know I have. But, berating ourselves for our faux pas doesn’t make them go away. Nor does it help our families.
Ask forgiveness if you’ve sinned against others. Confess to God and move on. Lose the guilt that binds you and make a fresh start.
Live in the present — and do your best.
Hope
Have faith that YOU are the right mom for your children. Pray for help and wisdom, for stamina and creativity. Trust in God’s faithfulness and His ability to provide everything that you need.
Meditate on His words and take them to heart.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10
Have a Happy Mother’s Day, my friends!
I have been loving Ephesian 2:10 lately. It has relieved my mind to realize that God has prepared my good works. I don’t have to wonder what they are going to be or go find them. I just need to walk in the good works he has prepared. It has eased my mind but also heightened my awareness to what and who is around me so I can step into those good works that are right in front of me. Our God is so good.
Amen.
Thanks for that! I just read it today, on my 48th birthday, in the middle of a mental tirade on how much everything is falling apart (including me)! 🙂 Knowing I can’t do it all is one thing; what I find most difficult is believing it! I think somehow internalizing that is the secret to relying on Jesus.
This was a great thing to read, especially since I thought I was the only one struggling with these things! My dad once told me that my mother wasn’t really meant to be a mother and I have been carrying that around since about middle school or early high school. When I got pregnant, it really started to haunt me and I still think sometimes maybe I’m not meant to be a mother. Thanks for telling me I am or else God wouldn’t have made me one!