“I vow to stop measuring my worth by the circumference of my waist, the cleanliness of my house, or the state of my children’s hair when they walk out the door.
I vow to stop measuring myself by how fast I can run a mile, the marks on my child’s report card, and how many academic degrees hang on my wall…” ~Rachel Macy Stafford in Hands Free Mama
There are days when I am exactly this….wondering what people will think about me as a mom because of what my children do (or don’t do), or judging myself when I don’t measure up to what I see another mom doing.
My status as a mom doesn’t depend on whether or not my child has the cutest haircut, the nicest clothes,
the best grades, becomes a star basketball player, or gets the leading part in the play. It’s not about having them look a certain way or pushing them to do something I want
them to do or making them become someone I wish I had been.
What God has called me to do as a mom is to love my children well, to teach them about Him, and to train them in His ways. My ultimate goal is for Him to be pleased. I’m afraid I forget this at times and make motherhood about me – or my abilities, or my children’s accomplishments – instead.
How often I need to be reminded that parenting these precious (even at 13 and 11!) treasures God has entrusted to us requires the wisdom and grace that only He can provide!
What a good thing to be reminded of! And I think I'm going to stop worrying about whether my children's hair looks brushed when we leave the house.
Yes – that one applied to me. Even though my girls are older and take care of themselves, I still often feel the need to oversee their appearance before we leave the house. (Not talking modesty issues, just wanting them to measure up to how I want them to look.) I'm working on it!!
I needed this today!!! 🙂
I love this post! It is such a good reminder of what is really important.
Such a timely post! I was able to preview Moms Night Out this week, and your quote fits in perfectly!!