Because You're Not Called to be a Good Enough Mom

Would it help if I gave you permission to let go of what you think this calling of motherhood should look like to embrace the reality of what it is?

From where I stand 18 years into this journey, I can see God’s transforming work not only in me but also my legacy — He’s changed me along with my philosophy of motherhood and the way I go about “momming.” 

As moms, we get to fulfill outrageously necessary responsibilities — some that we’ll love and some we'll hate, some that will require more of us and others less. Yes, motherhood can be the very best work of our lives, but that doesn’t mean we have to love it to do it. We've got to be careful to not define our worth nor seek joy alone in the everyday tasks of motherhood. That means we have to stop ranking our motherhood success through moment-by-moment evaluations of our performance and that of our kiddos. 

Moms. can we make a pact with each other and stop striving for the perfect motherhood experience . . . or the next best thing . . . being a "good enough" mom . . . 

If I can just get “this thing” right with my kids, then I know I’m a good enough mom. 

If I happily play with the puzzles on the floor, then I’m a good enough mom.

If I drive the tweens to and fro without complaining, then I’m a good enough mom.

If I teach my children all the Truths and they never rebel or struggle, then I’m really a good enough mom.

But what if you hate to do puzzles? What if driving all over creation makes you feel stretched too thin? What if your children refuse to heed wisdom or suffer in a way you can’t help them avoid? Are you a bad mom?

What if we never make it to the "good enough" status?

Being a "good enough" mom isn’t even the bar we should try to hurl ourselves over.

What if the goal of motherhood was about stewarding the call to the best of our abilities, instead of trying to prove to ourselves and the noisy critics our value and worth?

What if the sign of a great mom was replaced by evidence of a wise woman, determined to heed the Word, admit her weaknesses, and ask for help when she’s in over her head?

Moms, it is time we let go of good enough and embrace the one who is ENOUGH.

When Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, He did so in obedience to Our Father in heaven because we would never be good enough — as a child of God and as a mom.

The cross is where we find our purpose and the power to press on in motherhood.

We can never be the moms God intended without the grace He provided through the shed blood of Jesus.

God only asks for our wholehearted commitment, as we seek to join Him in His work in this motherhood calling — even if we find ourselves completely out of our element, totally overwhelmed, and wondering how to prepare for what’s next on this beautiful journey to eternity.

Motherhood is no ordinary job. We don’t get to quit just because the tasks don’t fit our giftings or resonate with our wiring. We may very well feel unprepared, ill-equipped, and out of our comfort zone all the time. But that doesn't give us a back door.

Once we're in it, we’re in it . . . for life.

Maybe that is why motherhood is sacrificial, satisfying, and sanctifying when we embrace it exactly how God designed . . . not good enough, but by remembering daily that He is enough.

How can you let go of “good enough” thinking to embrace your motherhood in light of the grace God offers you through Jesus?

Because there is more,

Elisa Pulliam

Founder of MoretoBe.com and author of Unblinded Faith