A question I’ve been asked a million times is, “How did you do it all?” and my answer is always, “I didn’t.”
It’s the truth.
I may have had eight kids, I may homeschooled them all, but I’m no different than any other mom out there. I will say that having 8 kids probably made me realize sooner than later that I can’t do it all. It wasn’t for lack of trying, but when you hit a brick wall enough times, eventually it begins to sink in even if you’re a slow learner like me.
However, we were never meant to do it all. When God blessed us with our children, He didn’t say, “Now you need to be ME” because He’s the only one who can do it all.
The world tells us we can do it all, we can have it all. But we can’t.
We make choices. Every day we make choices based on our priorities. If our priorities are out of whack, our actions will follow. If I am trying to be Wonder Woman, eventually something is going to give, because I wasn’t made for that.
Moms, God wants us to live intentionally, but that often looks and feels inefficient. It also feels less than glamorous and usually appears questionable to those on the outside looking in.
The truth is that what God calls important looks foolish to the outside world, but He already warned us that this would be the case. In 1 Corinthians it says:
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
and: “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.”
We don’t work in the world’s economy, we work in GOD’S economy.
So if you are a type-A mom like me that means that you are responsible for less than you think. It’s ok to unhurry your heart, let go and entrust all “the things” into the hands of a sovereign, loving Father..you know, those things that keep you up at night?
He says in Isaiah that He “gently leads those who are with young”.
He is a gentle Shepherd.
His heart is for you. He is not ill-intentioned or mad at you. He is not standing over you with a club, ready to whack you if you get out of line or don’t perform.
He is God. We are not.
If you can embrace and truly believe those 6 words and walk them out, I guarantee that your anxiety level will drop tremendously.
I know it’s not easy, but do it for your kids’ sake because they are watching. They are smart and intuitive and they feel your stress. The best gift you can give them is a more relaxed and happy mom.
They don’t want Wonder Woman. They want you…engaged, warm, loving, enjoying them while fully trusting Him.
All the rest will fall into place.
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