The other day my children told me that mom is WOW upside down and that just stole my heart! Parenting is an incredible blessing from God, yet it can also be extremely challenging. As much as we love our children, at times the journey exhausts our confidence, and our faith can get tied into knots. I know I am honored to be called Mom and WOW, but I often wonder am I doing this well?

When my children were younger, most days it seemed I was running behind getting my kids to school and myself to work. It seemed each day was a repeat of the day before. I remember this one time, I was frazzled and before I knew it, I was listening to a tantrum. I wish I could say the tantrum was coming from the kids, but it wasn’t, it was coming from me. We were running late, and the kids were playing about and still not doing what I had asked them to do five times ago. At that moment, I was too busy to pause, reel everyone in, and lead with love. I just kept going and fretting until I lost my cool. There have been many moments like that, where I wondered; what am I doing and will I ever get it right, whatever that means.

Before the week began, I made every effort to plan so that things could go smooth. I am the type to plan, prepare, and I am embarrassed to share that I would complain when I was overwhelmed, or things didn’t go my way. Can you identify, are there any other recovering controlling complainers out there and this post is speaking to your heart? My mornings required so much endurance and strength just to brush the kids hair, pack lunches, feed our pets, and find some clothes to wear that did not have stains on them. Honestly, it felt like I was wrestling everyone and everything just to get out the door. You see, I wanted to be that mom that is on time. Whoever she was, she looked so loving and peaceful. Her children had the cutest little french braids, something I still can’t seem to figure out how to do. Really, besides the cute hair braids, deep-down I was marveling, questioning, how does that mom seem to embody such peace as she dropped off her children at school.

Finally on my way to work, I began to second guess the well laid out plans I strategized for the week. I mean, everything was prepared for success. I had enough snacks, lunch bags, I did the laundry, the uniforms were ready to go for the week activities, the meals planned and written out on the whiteboard! Things should have gone smooth. Yet, as I closely approached work, there was a nagging in my soul. I regretted that somehow in the hustle and bustle, I had lost sight of the desires of my mama heart, which seemed splattered on the floor along with the spilled milk that morning. I had meant to pray with my children, not appear frustrated at them. I longed to be a calm mother but instead I portrayed a rushed and flustered woman, completely undone by the many tasks before me.

I said a quiet prayer asking God for help. I heard a whisper in my soul that went something like this, “Slow down, don’t compare, or fret, only a few things are so important”. A scripture I identify with came to mind, “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, ” you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41

That moment, I was humbled and decided to make some much needed changes. God had opened my eyes to prioritize relationships. My relationship with him and with others are more important  than what felt urgent or needed to be done. I had gotten lost trying to juggle the demands in life with my checklist marked off and missed the moment. I was missing the beautiful moments right in front of me. I am like many women today. We have jobs inside and outside the home along with beautiful families to care for, friendships to maintain, and hobbies that have been waiting for some attention. I wasn’t weary from those blessings, but rather, I began acting like “Martha”. Losing sight of precious moments in the face of responsibility and obligations and then getting upset about it. Efficient as Martha appears to be in scripture, her focus was taken off Jesus, and she missed what mattered most. Her to-do list got in the way of embracing all the beautiful life around her. I think Martha relied too much on herself at times. Is there anyone else out there like Martha and I?

Perhaps this also revealed a misplaced confidence and lack of trust Martha may have had. Then there is Mary, when mentioned in scripture she seemed to really know what to do and what to let go of to the point that while even having Jesus over for a visit, she decided the best place she could be was in relationship with Him and sitting at His feet.

Honestly; I resemble some characteristics of Mary too at times. Mary was a woman that even with much going on, she could choose to concern herself with Jesus and with precious moments. Mary portrayed a confidence in Christ in a mighty way by sitting at the feet of Jesus even though many things may have been demanding her attention. I love that!  I believe God made us all beautiful and unique. I think we all need to be reminded not to compare ourselves to the “Mary’s” or Martha’s” in the world but rather have some healthy reflection and value the lesson Jesus teaches through both gals. We sure can glean some good lessons through the scripture’s, AMEN!

Fast forward to years later with my oldest in high school, looking into where she wants to go to college. Another amazing kiddo in middle school finding her way, and our baby already in second grade. The tallest in his class reminds me how the time has passed so fast. Really just a blink of an eye. Reflecting on all the changes that have molded my heart over the years, I can see now that those challenging moments as a mother were not really threatening to steal my patience and confidence but rather, they were teaching me to live in the moment, how precious or even difficult those moments have been. Now I can see that when I trust God, he fills in the gaps.

Friends, when we sit at Jesus feet, we can have many tasks before us, yet walk in peace and joy because our strength is found in sitting at the Lord’s feet. The feet of Jesus is where being stretched, changed by the challenges, and being reshaped throughout the parenting journey we will develop character that resembles Christ to those we love.

What is stealing your focus from precious moments that count and sitting at the feet of Jesus?

If you enjoyed this post or the video below, please share, like, or leave a comment!