A Little God Time for Mothers E-Book

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: A Little God Time
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 366

Beschreibung

A little God time is the most important part of your busy day! This one year daily devotional will encourage mothers of all ages to carve out some God time with the assurance that God is strong when we are weak. Take time out to savor the tender moments with your children. Overflow with gratitude as you reflect on the gift of motherhood. May His joy and peace be yours, embracing the grace and strength He has given you as you endeavor to love your children just as he loves you. Excerpt: The Perfect Hire  Whether "Mom" is your only title or one of several, the day you became a mother you took on a full-time job with crazy hours, non-existent pay, and inconsistent benefits. Some days, it's the greatest gift in the world to love and serve our families. On others, we find ourselves wondering, Does this job get any easier? Any better?  On those days with more responsibilities than time, more grumbling than gratitude, rest in this: your employer is not that tantrum-throwing toddler or eye-rolling teenager. God chose you specifically for this family; you were the only candidate for the job, and you are perfectly qualified. You work for Him, and He will give you all the support, recognition, and joy you need.  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV).  What part of your "work" as a mother is the most difficult for you? Share your struggles with God. Does it help you to remember you are working for Him at a job He chose just for you?

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

Broadstreetpublishing.com

A Little God Time for Mothers

© 2015 by BroadStreet Publishing

ISBN 978-1-4245-4985-6 (hard cover)

ISBN 978-1-4245-5014-2 (e-book)

Devotional entries composed by Cari Dugan, Laura Krause, Stephanie Sample, Jacquelyn Senske, and Michelle Winger.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked (NCV) are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org. Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Design by Chris Garborg | www.garborgdesign.com

Edited and compiled by Michelle Winger | www.literallyprecise.com

Printed in China.

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SHE SPEAKS WITH WISDOM,

AND FAITHFUL INSTRUCTION IS ON HER TONGUE.

SHE WATCHES OVER THE AFFAIRS OF HER HOUSEHOLD

AND DOES NOT EAT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS.

HER CHILDREN ARISE AND CALL HER BLESSED.

PROVERBS 31:26-28, NIV

CONTENTS

Introduction

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

INTRODUCTION

A little God time is what all mothers need but can rarely find in the craziness of everyday life. This one-year devotional brings you the assurance that God truly desires to be with you.

Be encouraged as you reflect on the blessing of motherhood in the midst of all the hard work. You can be confident that every act of service and sacrifice will be rewarded.

As you take a moment with God, you will find the grace and strength needed to get through all your day holds. May his joy and peace be yours as you endeavor to love your children as the heavenly Father loves you.

JANUARY

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

ISAIAH 41:10, NIV

JANUARY 1

BREAK EVERY CHAIN

There is a chance to start over—every day if we need to. From the inside out, we can be transformed and our hearts renewed. We can essentially remake ourselves with the help, healing, and transformative nature of Christ! Jesus died on the cross to promise us a life free from the bondage of sin, free from hopelessness, free from any chains that try to trap us. In Christ, we are set free.

We need to hear the truth of Christ’s promise for us and stop the cycle of hopelessness, defeat, and bondage to sin. All we need to do is get on our knees and pray.

His purpose in all of this is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us (Acts 17:27, TLB).

Is there an area of your life that you need to repent of and receive freedom from? Wait for God’s voice to permeate the deepest, saddest parts of you. He wants you to live a life where he takes care of you. He desires a relationship with you. He is pursuing your heart. He is pursuing all of you.

JANUARY 2

LETTING GO OF WORRY

Of all the things God asks us to let go of, for a mother, worry just might be the most difficult. From little things like running out of milk or forgetting to do that load of laundry, to genuine concerns such as the first time our kids go away for a weekend, put on a football helmet, or get behind the wheel, we are tempted to give in to worry. God desires our trust! He wants us to surrender—ourselves and our precious children—to him and his perfect plan. He wants us to rest in his love, and he promises to care for us.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:25-27, NIV)

What worry or fear are you holding on to? What would it take for you to open your hand and give it over to God?

JANUARY 3

MISPLACED SECURITY

It is normal for moms to manage a million things all at the same time. A part of us likes to have control because it gives us a sense of security. But is that security false? What happens when circumstances are out of our control? When relationships are broken, our children are sick, or there just isn’t enough money in the bank to cover mounting bills? We allow worry to seep into our hearts. We become anxious and insecure. More often than not, we allow our concerns to debilitate us—to rob us from our sleep and kill our joy.

We don’t have to become weary if we remember that we serve a God who loves us so much that he wants us to shrug off the burdens that make us ache and trust him instead. Regardless of the situation and circumstance, God is in control. Our security rests in him and not in our own abilities.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” (John 14:1, NLT).

The next time life sends you a curve ball, instead of succumbing to fear and scrambling to maintain control, bring your concerns to the one who listens and cares deeply. What are you worried about today? Talk to God and leave it all in his hands.

JANUARY 4

THE FORGIVENESS CIRCLE

Many of us long-ago memorized a version of the prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew 6 and have repeated it hundreds or thousands of times. Many have taught it to their children as well. We ask for God to be glorified, for just enough food for today, to be forgiven the way we forgive, and to be protected from temptation. “That’s all you need to say,” Jesus tells us.

Wait. Back up. To be forgiven how? Since we are all sinners, God’s grace is what we count on. Our lives depend on his forgiveness. Just to make sure we got the point, after sharing the prayer in verses 9-13, he follows up with this:

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15, NLT).

How are you teaching your children the importance of forgiveness? According to Jesus, there’s only one way to get it, and that is to give it. How is this principle working in your own life?

JANUARY 5

SUMMER AND WINTER

Those who live in a cold climate understand that winters can get long. As the amount of daylight decreases, it’s easy to find discouragement or depression creeping in. Sometimes this is a direct result of just needing more vitamin D to compensate for the lack of sunlight. But sometimes the Lord allows this to drive you to a place of finding a deeper degree of contentment in him.

God created the seasons. They are his making. Winter treasures are like manna—the same manna would be rotten in the summer. Manna that is provided on a daily basis refreshes us and provides the kind of nourishment we need.

The day is yours, and yours also the night;

you established the sun and moon.

It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;

you made both summer and winter (Psalm 74:16-17, NIV).

Are you making the most out of this season or living in complaint? Don’t wish away winter. There are treasures there for the talking. If you seek them, they will be found.

JANUARY 6

WORKING HARD

What is at the core of our motivations? We all have things that motivate us and reasons why we work hard. We are easily motivated by money, affirmation, and admiration. We might want prestigious titles or big promotions.

As mothers, why do we put our hearts and souls into our families? There is no financial gain, and rarely do we receive affirmation or thanks. Do we do our best so that the world thinks we are good mothers? So that our children like and appreciate us? So that the world will admire our efforts?

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23, NASB).

What motivates you? Do you work hard because that is what is expected of you, or do you work hard to serve and please God? Whatever you do, do it happily in worship to the Lord. He is the giver of your talents and abilities. He is the strength for your work and the center of your creative inspiration.

JANUARY 7

SHORT YEARS

Motherhood is such a gift. It requires selflessness. It requires work. It tests your patience. And sometimes, the days feel really long. But the days that you are knee-deep in diapers and up at all hours of the night go quickly. Soon you will be entrusting others to care for your children, and eventually asking your children to take care of themselves. So, hard-working mothers, embrace all that motherhood brings—the beautiful and the hard, the days of the laughter and the days of sickness, the days of play and the days of work, the moments of joy and the moments of frustration.

Through all of the years, we know that Jesus is walking alongside us. In every moment, no matter the circumstance, he is there; laughing along with us and wiping away our tears. Motherhood is a gift—a privilege. It is honoring and life-giving.

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5, NLT).

Do you frequently experience the ups and downs of motherhood? Remember in the moments of weakness and moments of joy, that motherhood truly is a gift. And remember who is right beside you through it all.

JANUARY 8

DISTRACTED PARENTING

God isn’t asking you to be a perfect mom. He is the only perfect parent. He isn’t alarmed by your inadequacies. He knew you would sin, which is why he provided his son as a sacrifice for you to be restored to him when you confess. But there are simple steps you can take to become a better parent.

Have we allowed distractions into our world that are hindering our ability to parent? Some of these distractions could have begun with a well-meaning heart. Perhaps we had questions on how to parent. Now we have found that we are up to our eyeballs in mommy blogs with no answers and more questions. Many times these “helpful” tools hinder us from going to the one who has every answer we ever could need. He knows our children better than we do; therefore, he knows the way to parent them. We only have to ask.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2, NLT).

Have you become a victim of distracted parenting? Have you sought the Father for wisdom in parenting before asking the world? He is more than willing to share his heart with you.

JANUARY 9

FEARING GOD

A child is blessed to have a mother who habitually goes to the feet of God in petition for wisdom. There is security in having a mother who seeks knowledge in parenting God’s way and not in the world’s way. Mothers who pray for their children and continually put their trust in the Lord create a wonderful atmosphere and safe home for children to grow up in.

Children who grow up seeing their mother trusting in Jesus and seeking him to direct their paths eventually learn to have confidence in God’s leading. A mother’s example to love and obey God is a wonderful gift to her children.

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,

And his children will have refuge (Proverbs 14:26, NASB).

Do you have the fear of God in your home? Do you ask for his wisdom and trust that he will lead you? Take heart, Mom! By entrusting your life to God, you are entrusting your child to his faithful hands as well.

JANUARY 10

NO PARENTING GUIDEBOOK

Do you remember those early days as a new mom? However God blessed you with a child, there were likely a couple of terrifying first few moments. One minute it is just you, and the next, there’s this tiny being you’re suddenly responsible for. Your heart is flooded with love, but your hands have no idea what to do. A guidebook would have been nice.

There are a million parenting books available, blogs to read, and advice to collect from family and friends who have gone before us on this parenting journey, but we still have to figure it out for ourselves. Before we know it, we do. We don’t perfect it, but we’re parents. We’re certifiable women responsible for another little person, and he or she is surviving just fine. Because really, our guidebook for parenting is love. No matter how often our babies are eating, or how many hours they are sleeping at night, our little ones are loved. That is not only surviving, that is thriving.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Romans 11:33, NASB)

Can you see how far you’ve come in loving your children?

JANUARY 11

DON’T BE ANXIOUS…NO, SERIOUSLY!

God is serious when he tells us not to be anxious. He isn’t just giving us a suggestion. He is telling us of one of the many privileges we have as his daughters—the gift of never having to worry. Unfortunately, many of us still think we are accomplishing something by worrying; therefore, we continue it.

God alone knows what tomorrow holds, and he knows that we can’t alter anything by worrying about it. Furthermore, we weren’t made to sustain anxiety. Our bodies weren’t built to endure it. This is why worry and anxiety can make us physically sick. Nothing delights God more than a child that demonstrates their trust in his goodness and provision by choosing not to worry about tomorrow.

Give your burdens to the LORD,

and he will take care of you (Psalm 55:22, NLT).

It is an action of great faith and trust not to worry. Trust isn’t for the faint of heart. It is an act of maturity. It is a pure, childlike action that takes courage. But know that it is what God intends for you. Ask the Father to help you find the childlike place of trust in him.

JANUARY 12

PRESENCE AND PROTECTION

Oftentimes, our culture threatens to destroy the sanctity of family and home. A home that centers around Christ is not easily shaken, nor can it be destroyed. We have nothing to fear because what is God’s cannot be destroyed. He reigns and triumphs over anything that tries to take you down.

We can invite God into our homes. Make him Lord over our families. Trust him because he holds us. Our families are untouchable with God’s protection. In all times of trouble, God will be there.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns (Psalm 46:5, ESV).

God dwells in the city that cannot be destroyed. Does he dwell in your home? There is safety in trusting him with your life and home. Giving him presence in your family and house invites his protection as well.

JANUARY 13

CHILDLIKE FAITH

There are many things we can learn from our children. Jesus taught this when the disciples were asking him who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. We don’t know definitively why they were asking, but we can make the assumption that they weren’t at all expecting the answer Jesus gave. He brought a child into their midst and said that unless they became like a child, they would never enter the kingdom of heaven.

A child’s faith in God knows no doubt. They believe—quite simply—that he is who he says he is and he will do what he says he will do. They aren’t discouraged, and they have no reason to doubt his faithfulness. God challenges us to have that kind of faith: sincere and pure.

“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25, ESV).

Ask God for faith that doesn’t give up. In spite of discouragement, you can trust him like a child would. Contend for that kind of faith in your heart.

JANUARY 14

CONTROL THE CHAOS

Much of our life feels like a chaotic whirlwind that might never stop; running from activity to activity; washing, drying, and folding what feels like a hundred loads of laundry; cooking meal after meal; stopping fight after fight; cleaning room after room; the list of chaos goes on. With that chaos comes a choice: be crazy in our attitude toward everyone around us, or choose peace. There is an obvious winner.

The chaos of life is what it is. It will be there as long as we have kids, jobs, and houses to run. It can either be embraced as part of life, minimizing the control it will actually have on who we are, or we can buy into the race, giving chaos the control. Choose not to let chaos win.

This God—his way is perfect;

the word of the LORD proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him (2 Samuel 22:31, ESV).

What tangible things can you do to embrace the busy, chaotic times in life and remember what truly matters? Don’t let chaos gain control of a life that is filled with abundant blessings from the Father who loves you and intricately created you.

JANUARY 15

DAILY COMPASS

Starting our day with his truth impressed on our hearts serves as a compass for our daily life. His Spirit floods ours with love, goodness, compassion, and understanding. God’s whispered reminders allow us to gain perspective in our situations and help us deal with them in the most empathetic way possible.

We serve a gentle and humble Father—a Father who loves us in ways we can’t even grasp. He promises communion with him whenever we need it. But this relationship goes two ways. As much as we need his Spirit to serve as our compass, he desires our attention, love, and praise right back.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:5, NIV).

Do you take dedicated time to thank God for all he is in your life? Think of a moment you shared with your children when they said something like, “I love you, Mommy; thank you for all you do.” Imagine your heavenly Father and the joy it brings him when you praise him for his faithfulness.

JANUARY 16

CALM IN THE STORM

Think about the scariest storm you’ve ever experienced. Are there days—or even weeks—when your life reminds you of that storm? Obligations pelt your skin like sleet, pressures swirl around you like the January wind, and bills come at you like a tornado.

Only angry clouds are visible everywhere we look. What about little storms: a sick kid the day of a deadline, or a forgotten carpool trip? Where do we go for peace?

Soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:37-40, NLT)

Even if skies are blue in your world today, you know a storm will come eventually. Will you seek safety and comfort from the one who calmed the sea, or will you paddle furiously on your own? With a few words, Jesus quieted the storm. He ended it. Have you ever asked him to do this for you—believing he could?

JANUARY 17

ESCAPE FROM BATTLE

Maybe you wrestle with anger or greed. Perhaps your struggle is with pride or vanity. It could be that you find it difficult to be honest or kind. Whatever your battle, you don’t battle alone. We all have struggles, but God will not allow us to struggle with something too big to conquer.

We can be confident in every battle, in every struggle, and in every temptation, God will give us a way out. An escape plan is ready. When we face temptation, we can ask God for his help. He is faithful, and he will answer our cry.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV).

What battles do you face today? Cry out to him, and have faith that he will rescue you. He won’t abandon you; instead, he will strengthen you.

JANUARY 18

THE LABOR CYCLE

Often the labor of a mother is cyclical. There are many chores that need to be repeated daily. There are three meals that need to be prepared with two or three snacks in between. There are crumbs on the floor, jelly splotches on the counter, and Sippy cups that need to be washed—every day. There is laundry that literally never ends. And after the house gets put back together, the rooms get straightened, and the kids go to sleep, we end our day knowing that many of those same chores will be repeated again tomorrow. Dear mothers, it is easy to grow weary.

Weariness can seep in if we fix our eyes purely on the work set before us. The chores will be required of us tomorrow; we cannot change that. But what we can change is what our eyes are fixed upon. We can fix them on Jesus instead of our labors.

Never become tired of doing good

(2 Thessalonians 3:13, NCV).

Do you feel weary when you think of all you have to do each day? When your eyes are fixed on him, praise will arise from your heart and lips. You will no longer despise your work; you will enjoy it because you are simultaneously enjoying his presence.

JANUARY 19

ONE MASTER

We cannot serve two masters. We just can’t. Our masters can look very different depending on our lives. One master is God and our relationship with him. The other? It might be our family, wealth, social status, friends, work, hobbies, or food. It’s something that sits on the cusp of dominating our lives.

We can’t serve both masters equally; one has to be placed second. If we spend our time and energy on serving God, if we devote ourselves to him, we will reap great eternal reward. But if we choose to serve anything other than him, if we devote ourselves to that other master—whatever it is—we will lose in the end.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24, NIV).

What master are you serving with the way you live your life? Choose wisely today! Choose to serve the master that matters—the one who loves and cares about you.

JANUARY 20

THE OFFENDER’S HEART

When someone hurts us deeply, it isn’t easy to look past the offense and look into the offender’s heart. But that is exactly what God does for us, and he wants us to do the same for others. Again, and again, and again. More often than not, we will discover the offender drowning in their own sea of hurt and despair. They, too, need a great measure of love.

If we ask God to see our offenders the way he views them, we will develop a deep understanding and compassion for them. Our hurts may even pale in comparison to their pain. We see that they are lost and desire someone to help them. We give them kindness and grace, just as God gave us kindness and grace.

As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you (Colossians 3:12-13, NASB).

Are you having difficulty showing grace and compassion to someone in your life that has hurt you? Ask God to change your heart toward your offender.

JANUARY 21

QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB

Whether “Mom” is your only title or one of several, the day you became a mother you took on a full-time job with crazy hours, non-existent pay, and inconsistent benefits. Some days, it’s the greatest gift in the world to love and serve our families. On others, we find ourselves wondering, Does this job get any easier? Any better?

On those days with more responsibilities than time, more grumbling than gratitude, rest in this: your employer is not that tantrum-throwing toddler or eye-rolling teenager. God chose you specifically for this family; you were the only candidate for the job, and you are perfectly qualified. You work for him, and he will give you all the support, recognition, and joy you need.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV).

What part of your “work” as a mother is the most difficult for you? Share your struggles with God. Does it help you to remember you are working for him at a job he chose just for you?

JANUARY 22

FORGET NOT HIS BENEFITS

Have you ever noticed the raw humanity of David in the psalms? David is known for the many exploits that he performed courageously. He killed a lion, a bear, and a giant! But the psalms offer us a glimpse into David’s heart between his valiant battles. He continually wrestled with his own heart and sin. He wrote of the attributes he knew to be true of God only to follow it up with phrases like, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1, NASB)

We should not berate ourselves for faith that one day makes us feel like we could slay a giant and the next day we wonder if God even hears our prayers. We are human. What we can do, on those rough days, is take time to remember who he says he is.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:1-2, ESV).

Do you feel like you are prone to forget the benefits of God even if you seemed to know them an hour ago? Take time to ponder the attributes of God. In doing so, he will lift your head.

JANUARY 23

PILLAR IN A SHAKING WORLD

We never know how we will react when tragedy strikes, when we are beyond our understanding, or when we are faced with an unshakeable circumstance. What can we do to prepare ourselves? Not much in the physical world. But we can prune our hearts. We can ask for total dependence on our Father. We can more fully understand how deep and wide and long his love is for us, so that when we are faced with uncertainty, we cling to what we know is certain—Jesus.

Jesus is our ultimate support. He is our rock. He is our pillar of strength when we feel unsteady and uncertain. When we question, he is our answer. When we cry out for help, he is our comfort. When we ask why, he whispers his truth of a plan for our lives.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2, NASB).

What do you think you would cling to in a circumstance that’s beyond your understanding? Allow yourself to fall so deeply in love with Jesus that you know nothing else except how to live a life for him.

JANUARY 24

COMPARISONS

Comparing your life to your friend’s life is dangerous. Even the best of us get caught doing it if we aren’t careful to guard our hearts. “She has a better job, a bigger house, and a luxurious family vacation every year. My house is tiny, my job is horrid, and we never get to go on vacation!” Sound familiar?

Jealousy can eat us up inside, leaving us bitter, hardhearted, and cold. Greed and envy can ruin a beautiful friendship. There will always be someone else that has more than we do. Choosing to be content with where we are in life will bring us peace. It will also allow us to genuinely celebrate the fortunes and blessings of others, partaking in their joy. This is a wonderful thing.

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;

jealousy is like cancer in the bones (Proverbs 14:30, NLT).

Are you envious of a friend or neighbor? How can you choose to be content with what you have?

JANUARY 25

LIGHT TO THE EYES

God can help us see life through his eyes. He can bring us beyond our feelings to see the truth about the situation we are facing. We serve a loving Father who longs to see us rejoicing and recognizing the faithfulness of his love for us.

There is no situation too difficult for him, no trial he can’t overcome, no amount of unloving action on our part that can ever sway him from desiring a relationship with us.

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, LORD my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the LORD’s praise,

for he has been good to me (Psalm 13:2-6, NIV).

What situation do you need discernment about today? Ask God to give light to your eyes. If nothing else today, let him impress upon your heart a measure of his unfailing love for you.

JANUARY 26

TURN DOWN THE VOLUME

Without a doubt, one of the toughest tasks of motherhood is keeping our cool when our children are out of line. How do we model patience and loving-kindness when they are pushing our buttons—hard?

For being such adorable creatures, kids sure can inspire a surprising amount of anger in us, can’t they? And that anger can occasionally (or maybe even often) be accompanied by yelling and saying things we wish we hadn’t said. It never really helps the situation, does it? When we lose it, we lose sight of our intention to build our children up. We add pain and distance to an already difficult situation.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29, NLT).

How do you feel after you yell at your kids? How do they feel? The next time you feel that loud, angry voice bubbling up inside you, remember Ephesians 4:29. Ask the Spirit to give you words of encouragement or the strength to walk away until you feel more in control. And when the inevitable happens and you lose it anyway, forgive yourself. Remember, his mercies are new every morning.

JANUARY 27

FASTING

There are plenty of things that God alone does in our lives. There are things that only he is able to heal and deliver us from. However, there are also areas in our lives that the Lord would love to move in, but he wants us to partner with him to do so. One of the ways he does this is by inviting us to fast.

Fasting is intentionally not eating food for a period of time—whether it is for a meal, a day, or a week. God uses fasting to strengthen us spiritually. When we take time to intentionally not “feed” a primal need so that we might lean into him and get strength from him, we will find our internal strength increases. If we can regularly practice not eating food when we are hungry, we find that our strength and ability to say no to a particular sin also increases.

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, ESV).

Fasting is a tangible way to embrace weakness so that God might increase in you. Even if your effort is feeble, rest assured God will honor you for it.

JANUARY 28

FIGHTER MOM

Your kids will undoubtedly encounter trials in life. It could be peer pressure at school, strife with friendships, or just figuring out how to set a Godly example in a secular world. While they are growing in maturity of their faith, this is a reminder to fight for your kids, not against them. Fight for them like God fights for you every day.

Whether we can grasp it or not, we were specifically chosen to be the mother of the kids we have. They are God’s precious ones entrusted to our care. We have to stand firm in the truth and lay aside our personal opinions. Our kids need someone to fight for them and God has called us to be the fighters.

We will not hide these truths from our children;

we will tell the next generation

about the glorious deeds of the LORD,

about his power and his mighty wonders (Psalm 78:4, NLT).

Have you fought for your kids lately, or are you always fighting against them? Make it a point to contend for them. After all, you’re their mom. It always helps to have your mom on your side.

JANUARY 29

GIFT OF PERSPECTIVE

We have all heard it from more seasoned moms: “Enjoy your time now; children grow fast.” It seems they are eager to give younger moms a piece of advice attained over the years. Perhaps it was the same advice they were given. If we read between the lines, though, we can see that it isn’t advice they are trying to give; rather, it’s the gift of perspective.

For a mother, the days can be excruciatingly long, but the years fly by. When we are surviving the younger years, it feels like the evening will never come. The clock seems to get slower during the afternoon. But, the opposite can be said when our children get older. The clock seems to speed up, and we can’t get enough time with our young adults. We then realize how very quickly they will leave our homes.

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven

(Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV).

Do you find yourself wondering, Why did I wish away those younger years of messes and diapers? Don’t miss your current season by always looking to the next one. The gift of perspective knows that there were treasures in the young seasons as well.

JANUARY 30

INTEGRITY

Having integrity means we lack nothing and live without imperfection. It sounds impossible. But in Christ, we are made whole and complete—free from any blemish and stain. Therefore, integrity is present in every believer.

The good news is it’s not something we have to search for or summon up. We are able to live in integrity and make choices according to his will because of the work that God has already done in us. Our integrity is compromised only when we choose to walk out of his wholeness.

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,

For I wait for You (Psalm 25:21, NKJV).

In what ways do you choose to walk away from his wholeness? In what ways do you demonstrate integrity?

JANUARY 31

TATTLETALE

Where there are children, there will be tattling. Just about every child ends up on both sides of this issue in the first decade of life. For some, the urge to out wrongdoers becomes powerful, and a tattletale is born.

Tattletales who make it to adulthood without outgrowing their penchant for sharing the flaws and foibles of others get a new name: Gossip. We’ve all heard the expression, “Nobody likes a tattletale,” but have you ever wondered where it came from? What’s wrong with exposing wrongdoing? In his incredible Sermon on the Mount, Jesus both originated the complaint against tattletales and exposed the reason: drawing attention to the flaws of others takes the focus off our own.

“Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-4, NLT).

Ask God to show you any logs you may be overlooking in your life, and thank him for trusting you with this important parenting lesson when you need to help your children learn to worry about themselves.

FEBRUARY

Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices

over the truth. Love patiently accepts all

things. It always trusts, always hopes, and

always endures. Love never ends.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8, NCV

FEBRUARY 1

LASTING PEACE

We often think of peace as a temporary emotion. Perhaps when everything in our world is right, we can be at peace. However, the peace that is given to us is more than a feeling; rather, a sense of security that lives in us every day, all day.

Peace gives us the ability to stay strong even when life is hard. Peace comforts us when our world falls apart. God’s peace drives fear from our hearts. As his children, we can let go of our worries. We can claim peace in our hearts and in our children’s as well.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).

Do you or your children struggle with anxiety? Take God’s peace that belongs to you. And be free.

FEBRUARY 2

WINTER BLUES

A number of mothers find themselves stuck in long winters. They envision Floridians lying outside applying sunscreen to their toasty skin. They think if only they could be somewhere warm, they would be happy. But, the Floridians think about those who live in cooler states in the summer. As they endure day after day of 100+ degree temperatures and impossible humidity, they find themselves longing for a 70-degree summer day where the heat doesn’t make them or their children nauseated.

It’s easy to think contentment will come from a particular place. If it isn’t the weather that has us down, it’s our house, our job, our weight. This is because contentment was never meant to come from places or things. It comes from being close to him and walking in gratitude.

That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever (Psalm 30:12, NASB).

Can you see how complaint creeps into your life and takes over your mood? Try thanking God for your blessings today and see what happens.

FEBRUARY 3

MOM FAIL?

Maybe not today, but one day, you will wonder whether you have failed as a mother. This most important mission of your life—to raise a loving, caring, responsible human being and send them into the world to share God’s light—will seem like a task you are simply not up to.

This feeling may last a short time, as a child goes through a phase of selfishness or ungratefulness, or it may take a much longer road as we watch our sweet baby struggle with addiction or a life of crime. We can be reassured by Jesus’ words. If we are good, only good fruit can come from our lives regardless of how things may appear.

“Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18, NLT).