A Mother’s Weakness
Hello Friends,
I’ve had a number of topics floating around in my head for days now…things that I have been wanting to write to you all about. However, one thing continues to push its way to the front of my mind. Maybe it’s because I’ve been so tired lately, or maybe it’s the exhausting transition of all of the “newness” going on that I mentioned in my last post.
Who is to say?
These last few weeks have been especially trying in that we have had to face a number of sicknesses, hospital visits, medical procedures, and extreme physical pains (that was mostly me, but hubby has been hurting too...stress perhaps?). One day as I reflected back on this last month or two, I thought “Wow, mothers really do have super powers.” I have been as sick as a dog, and in immense pain that had me crying out loud and involuntarily refusing to move. I’ve endured a child going through medical procedures and being in the hospital…BY MYSELF (which I am typically way too wimpy to handle alone) while my husband held down our job and took care of our other children. Through it all (even the sickness and the pain), I continued to work every day taking care of my children and the other children we care for.
I couldn’t help but feel as though I had a secret Mommy weapon somewhere in my diaper bag. I felt a bit smug thinking of how…somehow…someway…through every situation I pulled a bit more energy out of somewhere and kept going with the long days of taking care of others.
And then it hit me this week.
This week I’ve struggled emotionally. I’m physically drained. I’m full of doubts. I don’t know if I can do it all. And it hit me.
Before…..none of that was me, was it?
It was God.
Through the trials and tribulations, when I feel as though I can’t do it anymore God has always been there pulling me through. When I was sick and still found a way to take care of kids, or could BARELY move my upper body and still found a way to present for work “state inspections”…it was all God. All of that “Mommy Power” that I thought I had really wasn’t my power.
It’s God’s power.
This week, I feel weak. And it’s okay…because we mothers are weak. I am weak. No man, woman, or child is strong without Jesus Christ flowing through them.
“And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…”
2 Corinthians 12:9
In my weakness, God continues to work through me. On the days where I am so “done”, my kids can see how God gives me enough grace to make it through the day.
“…most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 continued
An “infirmity” is a mental health or weakness. In this verse, Paul (he wrote 2 Corinthians) is saying that he rejoices in the times where he mentally and physically struggles because he can then see God truly at work in his life.
So yes, God does give mommies super powers. He gives them His power. Try your best not to feel bad when you are struggling through the days as a mother. You know those days that I’m talking about (the days when you’re too exhausted to consistently potty train and your kids had cereal for dinner). Remember that it is on those days when your children and those around you will truly be able to see God working through you in your ministry as a mother. They will say, “Girl you are rocking this mom-thing out today.” And you will say, “Thank you, but actually I’m barely holding it down today. God has got me though, and He’s pulling me through.”
And He really is.
