Today’s devo is an excerpt from Grace Driscoll and Ashley Chase’s new book Flourish: A Ten Day Devotional for Moms. To get a free PDF copy, click HERE and to get a physical copy for your gift of any amount during the month of May, click HERE.
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. -Deuteronomy 4:9
Being a mom can feel lonely, especially if you’re an extrovert or a perfectionist or a single mom or have kids with special needs or a husband who travels. Every family is different, and I remember feeling very alone many times when Mark would travel to speak or even when I had just brought home another newborn and didn’t have energy to leave the house.
We often have an idea of “balance” in life, but I hold an unpopular opinion that that doesn’t exist. Each kid has different needs, challenges, and strengths, so we are constantly adapting to be the mom they need, not to mention the wife our husband needs.
Your first priority is your husband – who should also be your best friend – then your kids, and then relationships outside of that. Social media tries to tell us that we’re missing out on social events, friendships, experiences, and fleeting happiness, but at our core, that’s not what God made us for.
The truth is that no one knows how to raise their kids perfectly apart from God. You can read as many books and listen to as many podcasts as you want, but in the end, His Word and Holy Spirit guide us, and He gives wisdom when we ask.
Comparison will absolutely rob us of the joy that the Lord has set before us and cause us to focus on what we don’t have instead of what He’s given us. It’s great to get wise counsel from other godly moms, but ultimately we have to pray about what is best for OUR kids.
When we have the long view of raising the next generation to love Jesus, the sacrifices are worth our kids walking with Him. There were many trips, dinners, outings, gatherings, and fun things I missed out on in the early years of being a mom of 5, but I can tell you now it was worth every big and little sacrifice.
God has given me even bigger opportunities to use my gifts outside of the home now that I’ve spent the younger years investing in my family. Don’t give in to the lie that there are more important or fulfilling things you could be doing. The Enemy tries to lie to us and tell us that we’re alone or we’re not doing enough, so something I do to combat that is listen to the Bible like an audiobook. When I start to feel my mind spiral, I turn on a passage that I know will remind me of His goodness, sovereignty, and presence.
If your mind starts to spiral and you are believing lies from the Enemy, a few helpful passages to read or listen to are Joshua 1:9, Psalm 73:23-36, Lamentations 3:22-24, Proverbs 4:5-6, and Proverbs 31.
Text DEVOS to 99383 to be woken up with bold, unapologetic Bible teaching straight to your phone Monday-Friday bright and early. Click here to download a free Elijah study guide and find the sermons that accompany these Devos .