Listen, mamas. All our kids will have some sort of issue. Some may struggle academically, others behaviorally, some may sail through their school and teen years and then have trouble functioning as a young adult. Some of your daughters may struggle as young mothers. Listen, listen, listen: whatever your child needs at any stage, you can give it to them. I am not saying you can magically become a surgeon if they need an operation, but you can offer emotional and physical support and guidance. You can be THE MOM they need at that exact time.
You can do it, because they were born to you, and you were born for this.
One of the things that surprised me about motherhood was how so unnatural it is to me. I expected to be like a happy, glowing mom in a detergent ad, I guess, and…that’s not what happened. It is hard. All the sacrifice is hard. And I am selfish. And yet…I think I am doing ok, because of this:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
This is the answer the apostle Paul got back from God when he was begging him to take away an affliction that he could not handle. It is the answer I get back when I think I cannot meet the constantly-changing needs of three different children at the same time. It is the answer that has proved true time and time again.
When I am weak, I am strong. I am naturally weak at mothering. But God makes me strong and equips me for the task.
Mamas, you have what it takes to be YOUR kids’ mom. They are yours, and you are theirs, for a reason.
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An earlier version of this article appeared at Mommin’ It Up.
