I was in our church’s nursery during the service, trying to get a large snarl out of my daughter’s hair, when a thought came into my mind. “If ‘such and such a friend’ had two little girls my girls’ ages, she’d probably bring them to church with two perfect French braids in their hair every Sunday.”
Rather than worshipping the Lord, I listened to that thought and began feeling discouraged at my failures.
So often when I feel discouraged as a mom it’s because I’m comparing myself to someone else (or an imaginary supermom). I’m allowing thoughts like, “Other moms would have this child potty trained by now,” “Another mom would have this behavior managed better,” or “Another mom would have this part of her house better organized.”
These thoughts aren’t energizing and life-giving. Rather, they sap joy. They make me a less patient Mommy.
The Lord told Peter, “You follow Me!” Jesus didn’t want Peter’s eyes on John. He wanted his eyes on HIM (John 21).
Jesus is the One who knows me through and through. He knows what kind of a week I had. He knows what is uniquely challenging in my life. He knows how I’ve grown! He is compassionate. He is understanding. He is patient.
In that nursery on that Sunday morning, I needed to redirect my thoughts and “Turn [my] eyes upon Jesus, look full in HIS wonderful face…” !
Is He disappointed in me that my girls came to church with tangled hair and dirty crocks … again? No. Who am I coming to church to see after all? Am I there to worship Him? Then what else matters? May I mother my children for His approval. Not another’s. Not even my own.
“Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
(Written last summer but sharing now because it’s still relevant. 😊)