Glory In Your Weakness as a Mother

When you are expecting a little one, you think of baby cuddles and baby clothes and soft baby cooing.  You think of hair bows, baby suspenders and Pinterest photo ops.  You don't think of colic or nursing problems or going days on end without a shower or sleep.  You don't think about toddler tantrums or getting caught an hour from home with no change of clothes when your child suddenly comes down with the stomach flu.  You don't think of sibling spats and answering 638 questions per day.  Nothing, absolutely nothing, can prepare you for motherhood.  It's a learn-as-you-go, messy, grueling, bring-you-to-your-knees kind of work.  And truthfully, sometimes we just don't want to do it anymore.

Dirty diapers, midnight feedings and endless laundry are overwhelming.  

A moody toddler, crushed cheerios on the floor, and growing pains are exhausting.

Sibling spats, last minute homework, conflicting schedules and an overflowing sink can make you want to pull what's left of your hair out.

Some days all I really want is a quiet bubble bath and polish on my toes.  Other days I want to throw in the towel and hand my job to someone better suited, more patient, less stressed and just....stronger than me.  

If you feel inadequate, friend, take heart.  It's okay.  That's exactly where you need to be. 

The apostle Paul understood his shortcomings and took them to the Lord.  And how did God respond?  He said, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Hearing this promise caused Paul to rejoice and say, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

The word infirmities means - get this mothers - feebleness (of body or mind); frailty; weakness.  

Do you like that as much as I do?

This verse reminds us that the strength of God is given to us in our weakness (and let's face it, we have plenty of weaknesses!).  Because of this, we can say "I glory in my feebleness and my frailty as a mother!"  

Glory in the dirty diapers!  Glory in your tired eyes and tired body.  Glory in your ever growing and never ending To-Do list.  Glory in all the messy, imperfect pieces of motherhood because your aim as a mother is for those little ones to see Christ - not you.  You don't have to put on a brave face as you pace the floors trying to keep your eyes open,  Let the tears fall and glorify Jesus who gives us enough strength for one more more minute, one more hour, one more long night.  Let every yawn cry out to the God who enables us to kiss one more scraped knee and wash one more load of laundry.  May we be humble women who see our feebleness and simply revel in it because to see the power of God in a mother is a beautiful thing indeed.