Freedom in Motherhood

You know what I see when I look around at other moms? Beauty. True beauty. But also guilt, shame and confusion. I see moms who are doing the best that they know how to do but feel as though they are not enough or that they are too much. I see moms who feel the need to justify their approach to motherhood or even apologize for doing what works for them and their family because it looks different than the family next door. I see moms fighting the world’s lie that they need to do more or be more when all they want is to be a stay-at-home-mom. Then there are the moms who are grateful for their life but are bursting at the seams with creativity and feel guilty for admitting that. They buy into the lie that motherhood can only look one way. It’s so easy to become paralyzed or start to doubt your capabilities if you believe motherhood should look one specific way.

Maybe I’m just seeing struggles I can identify with and am currently working through. Maybe I’m alone. Or can you relate?

In this social media driven world, we are bombarded with images, posts, blogs, and Pinterest accounts that tell us how we should be. It gets confusing when those voices oppose one another. I know moms who feel judged because they stay at home with their kids. I know moms who feel guilty that they work. I also know moms who are rocking their side businesses but they feel judged for that as well. Have you ever felt like “I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t?” The good news is that other people’s opinions do not matter. What matters is your obedience to the Lord in this season of your life. Your calling may change shape throughout each different season of life. Your calling may even change from season to season. What freedom that brings!

Fellow mama, I want to encourage you today. God hand-crafted you with amazing gifts and passions. It is time to tune down social media and tune into His word. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and His works are wonderful. In Him, you are free to be who He created you to be. Has He called you to be a stay-at-home mom in this season of your life? Then go BE AMAZING. Has He called you to work full-time? Then go BE AMAZING. Maybe He has called you to work from home, start your own business, or step out of your comfort zone. Then GO. GO BE AMAZING.

Everything we do, whether we are eating or drinking or working, should be done for His glory. When our identity is grounded in Him, we will not be deceived into thinking that our worth comes from what we do, what we don’t do, where we work or what income we bring in. We are made in His image and we each reflect a different and beautiful aspect of the Lord. You are needed, sister. So my question for you is this. Are you living fully in His calling on your life in this season of your life? If not, what is holding you back?

No matter what motherhood looks like on you, you are celebrated here. You are beautiful.