Mama Knows Best

As a mom, I feel desperate most of the time. Desperate for just the right tools to toss into my parenting toolbox. Different tools for different offenses. Different tools for tinkering around bad attitudes, lying, whining, leaving a mess, and acting disrespectfully.

I remember as a new mom, I read every book about parenting and discipline. Lisa Welchel wrote a book called “Creative Correction.” My personal copy is barely recognizable. It’s been earmarked, written in, and tagged with sticky notes. I thought if I read enough, somehow I’d be good enough.

I’ve listened to the best of advice.

“Breast-feeding is good; formula is bad;”

“Children should be potty-trained by age two;”

“Make sure you get on the pre-school waiting lists, they’re awfully long;”

“Don’t spank, time outs only.”

With all these “do’s” and “don’ts,” it’s amazing we mama’s know what to do and when to do it. No wonder our multi-taking, over-worked mama brains are on informational overload.

It’s confusing to a mom who just wants to get it right.

If we let him, God will re-direct our thoughts.

In the midst of highlighting line after line, page after page, God interrupted.

In the middle of pencil scribbles across the margins of the latest mom book, God re-directed. He spoke these words straight to my heart:

“There’s only one Book you should be reading. Stop listening to everyone else. You need to be right with me first. Then everything else will fall into place. Then, you will become the godly mom your children deserve.”

God didn’t create us to follow self help advice tucked inside well-meaning parenting toolboxes. We were made to follow Jesus. That's it.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will,” (Romans 12:2 (NIV).

As believers, we aren’t supposed to respond like everybody else to life’s typical situations. Instead, we are to be transformed as God renews, replenishes, and redeems us~ as he molds us into the image of Christ.

I’ve never been more desperate for Jesus than I am right now. Being a wife, mom, and child of God humbles me. I am humbled by how much I don’t know and by how much I need Him.

How does this apply to the ordinary stay-at-home mom’s life?

Well, when we’re drowning in laundry, child-rearing, and errands, we cry out to God, “I can’t do this on my own; guide me, strengthen me, show me what to do.” As we do this, we loosen our grip on worldly tools for success and courageously embrace the words and ways of God, “Follow me and walk in my paths,” (Ps. 81:13, NLT).

Lord, help me to follow your ways and nobody else’s. I am desperate for you. I need more of you. Please guide me down your path of righteousness. Amen.