Letting go and trusting Jesus completely so that we can enjoy being fearless mothers!

Letting go and trusting Jesus completely so that we can enjoy being fearless mothers!

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” – Proverbs 31:28-31

During a nap Ellie woke up in a panic, crying and screaming “my baby my baby I left my baby at the store!” I reassured her that her baby was safe and she was only dreaming.

However, I have that same recurring dream. You know the one? The dream where I show up at home and realize I left Ellie at the store. I think it’s recurring because deep down I worry I’m not enough for Ellie. I worry I won’t be there when she desperately needs me. I worry I will disappoint her. What if I fail her? The truth is I’m not enough. Not without Him. Without God I am no good to Ellie. Without God life does not make sense. Without God we can’t be the mom that our kids need us to be for them.

There are several types of motherly worries! Here are a few…

First time moms: First time moms spend their time worried about proper car seat hook ups, breastfeeding, sleep schedules, first day at daycare, hiccups, paci or no paci, cry it out or run to them, co sleep or in their crib. First time motherhood brings tons of choices which in return fills our hearts with much worry.

Moms of multiple kids: Moms of multiples kids agonize over how they will help their adolescent teenager through the trials of peer pressure. They stress over preparing their five year old for kindergarten. They fear that the newest baby of the family is not getting enough snuggle time.

Moms of graduates: Moms of kids who are graduating high school worry about weather or not we raised them right and properly prepared them. I personally don’t think any of us are properly prepared for life after High school.

What are some worries you have as a mommy?

If we don’t choose to stop the mom worry now it will just continue to grow more wildly out of control. To be honest. The worry makes motherhood so much more difficult. My child still has not had a hotdog because I’m too worried she will choke. We don’t have to allow the worry of motherhood to keep us from enjoying our lives as mothers. So, what do we do? I only have three years under my belt as a mother. I have a lot of learning and trusting in Jesus to do myself. However, I do know three things we can start doing today to kick start our journey to be mothers who trust completely in Jesus.

Call on Jesus!

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1(NLT)

I can’t be a perfect mom. You can’t be a perfect mom! However, we CAN be good at asking Jesus for help. Why? He is perfect! When Ellie was first born our nurse suggested she take Ellie to the nursery so I could rest. I didn’t want to but I don’t remember her giving me much of a choice. Looking back it was a good idea. I was so tired and in the midst of changing Ellie’s diaper I suddenly had to pee so bad. I knew I had to push Ellie’s crib in the bathroom with me. I was not allowed to leave her unattended nor did I want to. I thought if I can just finish changing her diaper all will be good. Well my bladder had a mind of its own and before I knew it the floor was covered in the contents from my bladder (just keeping this mom thing real for y’all) and I was sobbing. The nurse heard my sobs and came running in with the doctor probably imagining the worse. When she saw the floor she smiled a sympathetic smile. I was completely thrown off by her smile. Like, why was she so pleased that I had peed on the floor? She began reassuring me that I was not the only one who this has happened to. I offered to clean up my mess but she insisted that we all need help with our messes and we are never too old to ask. Our amazing nurse taught me a powerful lesson. As mothers, we are not too old to ask Jesus for help. We are not alone in motherhood. He wants to help. I napped for a few hours and when waking up I just had a desire to hold my baby. So I walked down the hallway to the nursery. They make you buzz in and show ID on your wrist band to prove you are the mother. When asked I told them I was there to get my daughter. When I said “daughter” I burst into tears. AGAIN I was sobbing! I had a beautiful daughter that I have so much love for. I love Ellie so much and I only want good things for her. I was just so proud to call my little girl daughter. Guess what? Jesus loves Ellie so much more than I ever could. He also calls her daughter. He will always take care of her. He is proud to call you daughter too. He is totally fine when you to call on him. In Fact He wants you to call on him. He wants to help you kick the worry and fear and be the mother He has called you to be.

Point your kids to Jesus!

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6

We need to Point our kids to Jesus so that they will always know in who to place their hope and trust. We can’t always be there for our kids. We cannot protect them from everything in life. We don’t always know the answer for our kids. However, we can show them how desperately we need Jesus so that they will know how desperately they need Jesus. We can show them who has all the answers. We are all in desperate need of Jesus. When it feels like we are a pro at this mom thing we need Jesus and when all the eyes in walmart are pointed at our fit throwing child we need Jesus even more. I’ve recently switched to shopping at Kroger. You probably now know why. As moms we can only do so much and the best thing we can do is trust God to help us be the best mom to fit the specific needs of our children. Always Point your children to Jesus.

Pray for your kid!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Philippians 4:6-7

I remember as a kid waking up many nights to my mom praying for my sisters and I. She would sit at each of our bedsides and pray… long and hard. She prayed and I pretended to sleep. I contribute a big part of where I’m at in life now to the hours she spent in praying for me. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer is not what you have to do. Prayer is what you get to do! Prayer is the best thing we can do for our kids. In prayer we find the answer. In prayer we break the chains that need breaking.

This Mother’s Day break free from the guilt and worry that Motherhood so often brings and choose to rest in the knowledge that Jesus has prepared us and filled us with all that we need to be the mother our children need. Let go and let God! If we could just stop for one moment and listen, we might hear Jesus say, “I got you. I got you family. I got your child. Trust me. It’s all going to be ok.” I’m not saying open up the back door and let your child run free but I’m saying trust him to lead you as a mother without fear of tomorrow. Enjoy the gift of motherhood by letting go of the torment that fear brings you be the fearless mom Jesus made you to be. Happy mothers day!