Many times I have seen something another mom does with her children and think that I should do that or man I hope I don't do that. Comparing my mothering to someone else's and thinking I've failed or my kids have missed out on something. The truth is that I'm not perfect. I'm a broken vessel with imperfect children and I had imperfect parents. None of us are perfect. Not now or ever will we be perfect.
Today our message was on how to forgive. The biggest person we need to forgive being ourselves. We compare ourselves and judge our mistakes and somehow believe that if we could have only done something better or different then we would be the perfect mom and our kids would be happy and healthy and wealthy and wise. Living perfect easy lives because we mothered so well.
That is the biggest lie we can tell ourselves. I fully believe that it is only in our willingness to fully take hold of our brokenness and recognize that all of mankind is broken will we succeed at parenting well. Because then and only then will our children feel like they can just be human and not have to live up to the illusion of perfection.
Our amazing God gives us grace and mercy and the love we need to allow us to be imperfect and broken. And really if we can just teach our children that it's okay to be broken then they will realize that a loving God forgives and uses the broken pieces to build us into what He sees our lives can be.
I am blessed to have amazing children. The only thing I pray is that if I taught them nothing else that they learned that God is really all they need. They don't need me and they don't need anything other than to seek the God who created them for a great purpose.
Beyond my children I've been blessed to encounter many that I count as mine. There are many hurting mommas in the world. Those who've lost or never held a child. Those who've seen their children wander so far that they seem lost forever. Those who influenced so many children just by loving like Christ even if they weren't their kids.
To all you mom's I hope you just remember that the God who formed you is the same God who formed your kids and He doesn't make mistakes. So stop comparing and striving for an illusion that we can't measure up to. Forgive yourself and let go of what is and just love.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalms 139:13-14 ESV
