Some days I feel like I have no right to be writing a mom blog. It’s the inner voice I hear on the harder days. Do you hear something like it too? Don’t let Satan feed you the lie that Jesus can’t make beauty from your ashes. That’s what God does, and He has the power to do it for you too.
Meaningful Mama was born from the struggle. I believe it is being used for good. Yet some days I let that inner voice dominate. Today I combat the voice while encouraging other moms to do the same.
Some Days I Feel Like I Have No Right to Be Writing a Mom Blog
Did you ever create an idealistic picture of what your family would look like? Has your imagination led you to a vision of a mom who is patient yet firm, loving yet strong, fun yet disciplined?
I have desperately wanted to be that mom. There is a desire for perfection, and I am far from that.
My blog has always presented the real me – the struggle with impatience, discontentment and acknowledgment of my failures. Yet, I still let that voice creep in and whisper the lies that I cannot be effective because of my deficiencies.
The Voice
We are having a new family over tomorrow. This woman and I became quick friends when we met recently at Bible Study. She has younger kids and asked me to be her mentor. On my Facebook profile, she discovered my blog and now knows what I do for a living. In real life, I keep it real too, so there is no secret with her about my struggles.
Yet here comes the voice as I’m preparing the meal. My kids don’t eat anything. I have failed in this area. There was a guest writer who wrote on my blog about expanding a picky eater’s pallet, but it hasn’t worked for me. This woman has asked me to be her mentor, and yet I haven’t been able to figure this area out. She is going to see this lived out at the table tomorrow.
The voice continues, “I hope my kids are in a sweet mood tomorrow when they are here instead of the sassiness and grumpiness that has been so permeating lately.”
It doesn’t quiet. “I also hope the kids don’t operate with their one volume that dominates – loud.”
The struggle is real, and it’s not just in these areas. Attitudes, laziness, sibling relationships, helpfulness…man, the list could go on and on. These are things we are still constantly working on in our home.
This voice doesn’t just operate at times like this where I’m inviting new people into our mess. It happens as I am creating content. It can prevent me from writing any kind of post that involves parenting tips.
We have not arrived. The devil wants to tell me that I’m not good enough to make a difference. He wants me to believe that because of my shortcomings I can’t be used.
Turn Down the Volume
Silence!
Behind me.
My journey – all of the shortcomings and challenges – those are exactly what God uses. He promises, “My grace is sufficient for you for My power is perfected in weakness.” My weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
He is a Savior who uses us broken people for his Kingdom. I will let Him still use me.
As Christians we are told to “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
I don’t know about you, but I have never wanted to invite suffering. That said, I remember when this verse became really alive to me. The meaning became deeply understood at a new level. This suffering that we go through does produce hope, and this is not just a hope for ourselves, our story can be used as a hope for others. Expanding it to know that my story can make a difference in the lives of others is powerful.
Our pain. Our weaknesses. Those things can be used more for God’s glory than if we had it all together.
Your story is the same. Don’t allow the lies to plague you.
Can I write a mom blog even though our family isn’t perfect? Do I have anything to offer? Let it be a resounding yes. I will continue, and I will silence the lies with the truth.
Because of my passion for wanting to do motherhood well, I still can offer what I’ve learned brain experts say is the most effective way to raise kids.
If we hadn’t been to a counselor, I might not have this resource to offer about how screens are creating an epidemic for our kids. I also wouldn’t have learned so much from our counselor about the power of the brain alongside the power of God to change our inner voice or life patterns.
Without having a child that deals with anger issues, I wouldn’t have been able to write about what I have learned about explosive anger. Had my path as a mom been easier, I wouldn’t have resources for you about sensory processing.
Some days I feel like I have no right to be writing a mom blog, but that is the lie. I won’t let the lies win.
It’s the rocks in the river bed of my life that have brought a song. I choose to say, “Not just despite of but because of my broken road, I can write a mom blog. Meaningful Mama was birthed in my weakness, and it can continue in it.” Lord, continue to use me for Your glory on this platform you gave me.
The Father’s House Lyrics
As I was writing this post, a song came on the speaker. Isn’t it great how God can give you a gift to confirm the truths you claim for yourself.
Sometimes on this journey, I get lost in my mistakes
What looks to me like weakness is a canvas for Your strength
And my story isn’t over, my story’s just begun
Failure won’t define me ’cause that’s what my Father does
Yeah, failure won’t define me ’cause that’s what my Father does, lay your burdens down
Here in the Father’s house
Check your shame at the door
‘Cause it ain’t welcome anymore
You’re in the Father’s house
Read more of the lyrics from the song the Father’s House by Cory Asbury here. Take a moment to listen to the song here:
Praise God! How beautiful and encouraging. Thank you for sharing this post and everything else you share with us so freely and transparently. <3
Thank you so much for those sweet words. It is an encouragement to me.
Well said, Jodi! It takes real courage to be so transparent to so many readers… some that may read with a critical eye on your Christian perspective and yet you still welcome comments. You exhibit the kind of courage and truth that are blessings to your family and friends, and I believe it is this kind of courage coupled with humility that set the best example for your children to follow! They will choose their own paths, and all we can do is hope, pray, and guide. They are in God’s loving hands, and they will always be able to look back and remember these years with respect to your model of unyielding love and consistency!
Thank you, Friend. Brought tears to my eyes reading your words. Thanks for your encouragement. Love you!
First time here, haha