It’s no secret that motherhood can be hard work.

I often struggle with feeling like an absolute failure when it comes to raising my kids and sometimes I get so focused on the difficult tasks of parenting that I forget the joys and privileges of parenting.

Right?!  I can go to bed at night only thinking about the training that still needs to be done (and the training I didn’t do very well that day).  I will think about the struggles each of my kids are having and feel condemnation that somehow their poor choices are a result of my weaknesses.

And even though I know about grace and my absolute need for Him, my mind still wanders down a negative path at times.

So I love it when the Lord gives me a nugget of truth from His Word to help redirect my thoughts.

I was recently reading the Christmas story in Luke and found myself unbelievably drawn to Mary’s mother’s heart.

In the midst of so many crazy circumstances at the onset of her first experience with motherhood – shame, fear, scorn, ridicule, relationship issues, having to give birth in a dirty stable – Mary was able to look past all of that and focus on the good things that God was doing.

After the shepherds came to visit the baby Jesus, Luke 2:19 says,

“And Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Mamas!  This is what I want to do, too!

Roll all of the broken and challenging parts of motherhood over to the Lord and set my gaze on the holy moments He gives me each day.

You know what I am talking about – those precious pockets where the kids are playing together nicely, or everyone is laughing around the dinner table, an unsolicited act of kindness or repentance, or we’re all snuggled up watching a Christmas movie.

The holy moments of motherhood that remind me of God’s grace in the midst of all the tough things.  The correcting and consequencing.  The meal planning and shopping.  The cleaning and serving.  The sicknesses and complaining.  The tough conversations and the praying and seeking God unceasingly for their souls.

Sure, around you might be a mess, but there, in the mess, beautiful moments are born.

Sounds like the Christmas story. <3

So the other day I noticed when Jethro went outside on the patio with a giant, mesh bag filled with every book from his bookshelf.  I noticed how he happily played by himself.  And then I noticed how Mr. B. went outside to join him and the two sat down to read all. the. books – per Jethro’s request.

And I treasured it.

Inside the house, our firstborn was serving a consequence for some misbehavior at school, but instead of despairing over his choice, I chose to focus on the opportunity to share the Gospel with him.  And I treasured while he listened.  Like really listened.  When I said, “We don’t give you this difficult task because we want to see you suffer.  We give you this difficult task because we love you and know that God created you for so much more than what happened at school today.”

Then he flung his arms around me and said, “I love you, Mommy.”

And I treasured it.

Hard, messy work – with no instant results.

But holy, beautiful work that is slowly transforming all of us to be more like Jesus.

Treasure it up, sweet mamas.  The Lord is doing a good work in your home as you seek Him.

I’d love it if you would join me in sharing your holy moments of motherhood by including the hashtag on your social media posts #holymomentsofmotherhood.

Joyfully,

Julie

P.S. Mr. B. apologizes for being shirtless in this photo.  Sometimes holy moments pay no respect to modesty.  I, however, will be pondering and treasuring that all month long.  Hahahaha. 😉