For a month now I have been really praying and seeking the Lord about what I would share with you in regards to raising godly children. My children are 3 and 1, and though we talk about the Lord, pray, and worship daily in our home, my three year old will flop back and forth every week on whether or not she prays. She told us a few weeks ago that she was simply “over it.” Yes… she’s over it. So when I was first approached about writing to you all about this topic, I kind of wept and honestly took my heart to the Lord.
“God… there is no way I have anything to say! My children are one and three… I have no track record and quite frankly I’m pretty sure I’m doing it ALL wrong. What could you POSSIBLY have for me to share?”
God: “That right there.”
It took me a few weeks to process all of that but here’s what I feel like God told me: The vast majority of Christian mothers feel as though they are failing. That they are not good enough, that their children are not mannered enough, dressed well enough, spiritual enough, or even playful enough. In my life I know this to be true.
It has taken so much work for me to shake a lot of this fear of failure, and believe me—it is a daily battle. I still have to wake up in the morning and remind myself of who I am in Christ and that when it comes to motherhood—I haven’t failed! I may have small battles with my children that I don’t always win, but in the BIG picture—I haven’t failed, and neither have you.
“My chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, and their descendants with them.” -Isaiah 65:23
Moms—this season is tough. There are so many days I feel like I’ve got it all wrong. Remain teachable in his Spirit. Allow him daily to lead you to wise counsel when it comes to raising those sweet babies, and remember his promises.
So when you wake up in the morning and those fearful thoughts start creeping in—allow him to remind you of who you are! That you are victorious through all that his Son did on the cross—that you are WHOLE complete, LACKING nothing. That you are NOT a failure. He has given you all you need to parent those gifts he gave to you. Pull out his Word, bring your little bit of willingness to hear his Spirit talk and lead you, and as Lysa Terkeurst would say, “trust him enough to let HIM write their story.” Push through, sweet mama friends—You got this!
“Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but rather someone you raise.” —Craig Groeschel
This post was written by Maggie Riley.
Women's Ministry 
Thank you for much for sharing your thoughts on this topic. I am 65 and my children are grown, but I remember those feelings of being a failure as a mom. In fact, I still struggle with that at times, seeing in my children some of my failures in their lives. Praise God that He does not waste anything! Where I failed, often others stepped in to fill in the gaps. My children have come to the place in their lives that they forgive me for my failures. Also, (hallelujah!), they often don’t even remember some of the things that I felt were my worst mistakes! I wish that I had had the honest input from other mothers about their struggles that is available through the internet today. It surely must be a comfort these days for young mothers to be able to read blogs like yours and know that they aren’t alone in their challenges and fears. Blessings on you and your family. Keep leaning on the Lord and He will see you through.
As I read the quote by Craig Groeschel it brought tears to my eyes. We have raised 5 kids one is already on his own and now 3 more (18,18,16),at the same time are graduating HS, and moving on and our only daughter (15) has 2 more years with us lol. Our oldest son Isaac (19) is so involved in church that I am greatful that God was so gracious with us. There were many times my fears of my mistakes would worry me about what damage have I done to my kids I’d worry that I now created criminals, great! But I have seen the blessing of doing only what iwe thought was best by the word of God we have seen what a truly awesome young man he has turned out to be and the love he has for God is truly the most rewarding gift I have been blessed to see. I can’t wait to see what the rest of my kids do (fingers crossed lol) God Bless ~Melinda
As a mom of almost grown up daughters, I still battle motherhood doubts and fears and thoughts that I did so much wrong and so little right. And then God speaks and He so quietly reminds me that they are His daughters first and that He was enough and still is. And the story He writes for my girls is so much more and better than I ever could have written.
You are so precious. And so are your sweet girl gifts. Thanks for sharing.