“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Raising daughters afforded me many opportunities to train my girls to be brave, bold, independent, strong, responsible women. As I continue in this daily investment, I’ve realized that my early motherhood was missing a key ingredient:

I had forgotten to teach my girls the value of rest and the gift of help.

For two years, I struggled with a chronic illness that required weekly medical intervention. This affected my energy, strength and motherhood. I didn’t tell my children the truth about my physical trials. I preserved my brave exterior, but I was unable to do all the things I once did, and motherhood took a necessary backseat to rest and healing.

I was tired and weak, and everything I did for my family had to be put on hold. This wrecked me to the core. I felt like I was abandoning my post.

I experienced feelings of guilt and anger over the things that made me feel weary and incapable. My children deserved to know, because I needed their help, and God wanted to use this. I was getting in the way of receiving His Grace and their help and understanding.

When our kids see us put on brave faces and give more to everyone around us while barely holding on to our sanity and strength, they see women without boundaries, void of peace. Motherhood does not have to be drudgery or a source of pride, where we carry the banner of independence and espouse a false message of “doing it all.” When we’re honest and truthful about our circumstances, we allow an infusion of hope and help into our world.

The weakest moments in motherhood can be the catalyst for my children to seek God’s strength and see His power. When we keep our needs hidden from our children, how will they know our true source of strength? We need to introduce them to the true Redeemer in all our pain and weakness. I came to realize these questions deserved answers:

• If our children can’t see God at work in their own homes, how will they learn to lean on Him when they leave our safe spaces?
• If our children don’t serve one another and bear burdens of those closest to them, how will they live out this biblical principle later in life?
• If our children haven’t seen our reliance on God, will they grow up to be overwhelmed adults, forgetting Who can rescue them from their lowest moments?
• If we pretend to have it all together, how will our children know Who really holds us together?

If there’s one thing I would have changed in my motherhood, it would be this — I would have shared my weaknesses and asked for help. I would have been honest with my kids when I was worn thin and could barely hang on.

Just as the Lord instructed the Apostle Paul, He reminds us in today’s key verse how God’s power comes alive in our weakness: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We never want our children to see us as “strong women” who don’t need anyone or anything, while we fall apart at the seams in our private spaces. A truly strong, grace-filled woman loves Jesus more than her pride and invites others to be a part of her journey. Everyday motherhood requires daily prayer and an urgency to know God more. This is the gift you will pass on to your children daily.

Mothers, let your children see you need Jesus!

Lord, I’m tired and weary, and I feel alone. Grant me discernment and guidance. Will You help me be real, and send others into my life who can walk through this with me? I need this now more than ever. I know Your grace is sufficient, Lord. I believe this. You are my Redeemer and I trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

Motherhood matters because you matter. Your struggles matter, your questions matter and your dreams matter. If today’s devotion resonated with you, click here to purchase September McCarthy’s book, {Why} Motherhood Matters: An Invitation to Purposeful Parenting.

CONNECT:

For more encouragement, visit September’s website: www.septembermccarthy.com.

Enter to WIN a copy of {Why} Motherhood Matters by September McCarthy. In celebration of this book, Harvest House is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and email notifications to each one by Monday, October 30, 2017.}

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What do you have to hide? If you’re trying to cover your tired eyes, weary bones and your words with something other than the truth, what will your children know about life and leaning into Jesus?

When someone asks me how I am, will I answer with grace-filled honesty?

© 2017 by September McCarthy. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Harvest House Publishers for their sponsorship of today's devotion.

Click here to view our policy on 3rd party links.