My friend Marguerite and I walk together several mornings a week. Recently {and what seems like always lately}, I was bemoaning my failures as a mom. Marguerite, who has three boys of her own, looked me in the eyes and said, “You would never let any of your friends talk about themselves like this. Treat yourself the way you treat us.”
She was right. I’d never let my friends believe they were failures because of frustration over snow days and a less than extravagant birthday celebration. I’d point them back to all the ways they love their kids and support them. I’d remind them of how much they do well. And I’d probably tell them that some days good enough is really enough.
I would likely share with them one of my favorite passages of Scripture from 2 Corinthians 11:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my own weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul could have been describing what it is to parent a teenager: weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Yes, all in one hour. But that list does not include the word I most often ascribe to myself as a mom: failure. Because in spite of all the difficult moments and exhausting days and tear-filled exchanges, God doesn’t see me as a failure. He just sees this child He loves. And you know what? He sees the same thing when He looks at you.
He offers us grace. He says our weaknesses are where His power is made perfect. Think about that for a minute. The God of all creation says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” When I lean into those words I find freedom. I don’t have to be the perfect mom. He isn’t asking me to be the perfect mom. He, even better than me, knows I can’t possibly. Instead of demanding more from me, He offers me this incredible exchange: I give Him all my weaknesses and I receive His power.
“I Give Him … He Gives Me” printable download
Wherever you are, whatever challenges you’re facing {parenting or otherwise}, these are His gentle words over you. And they are good and kind and full of love.
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
Cling to that with me, will you?
xo,
Teri Lynne
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