Wednesday, May 11, 2011

What Makes a Great Mom?

Why hello, Wednesday. Excuse me while I 'Pour My Heart Out' on you... ;)






This past weekend, I joined my in-laws (mom-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousin-in-law) in throwing a baby shower for my newest sister-in-law. She and my brother-in-law are expecting their first child in June.

Given everything that's happened in the last few months, it was a stretching experience for me. I would have been 20 weeks along had we not lost our little one. We could have been thinking about what these two baby cousins would have done together. But that wasn't His plan for us.

The planning and prep was tough, but I was more concerned about the day itself - and the devotional I was going to share. But God was so gracious and so very faithful. He met me right where I was and gave me a peace that can only come from Him - one that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7)

On top of that, He gave me words to share. I had stressed a lot over putting together a devotional. I had a hard time finding many examples online, and didn't have a good "jumping off" point. A friend from church shared with me some notes from devotionals she'd done at baby showers, and one of them gave me and idea to start with. (To take the word MOTHER and give an attribute for a great mom to go with each letter) What came after that, was all God - to Him to the glory!

I wanted to share the devotional here, because I thought maybe it would help others who find themselves in the same spot I was -- looking for ideas! So, here it is - I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! (keep in mind it's in "bullet point" form)

Baby Shower Devotional


On this Mother's Day weekend, I think it's fitting to talk about what makes a great MOM.

There are many difficult jobs in the world, but most would agree bring a parent – a mom or a dad – is one of the most difficult…but also most rewarding.  Today, let's take the word MOTHER and look at some of the things it tastes to be a GREAT one.

M – MEMORIES

  • A friend (Barb Rosberg) shared with me that “These are the longest days and the shortest years.”
    • That comes to my mind often – helps me keep things in perspective.
    • The days feel long because of all the everyday stuff that comes with being a mom– lack of sleep, changing diapers, late night feedings, laundry, dishes – some days feel like you’re just doing the same things over and over again. It’s easy to get caught up in that.
    • But these are the shortest years (when your kids are young) because they grow so quickly.
  • So take time to make memories.
    • Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” 
      •  ENJOY them!
    • We love to go to the park, have picnics in the backyard, play pretend – those are the kinds of things we won’t get a second chance to do. 
    • Enjoy the age your child is RIGHT THEN – it’s easy to wish they were at that next stage – make memories with them right where they are.
O – Others First.

  • When we were single, we only had to worry about our own needs.
  • Then after we were married, we had to worry about our husband’s needs, as well as our own.
  • Now, as a mom, we add our kids to that list
    • Part of being a mom – and a wife – is putting others first.
    • This doesn’t mean our needs are not important.
    • Remember the Golden Rule from Matthew 7:12, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
    • You will be surprised how your needs are MET through you attempting to meet the needs of your husband and kids!
  • When you’re exhausted and feel like you don’t have any more to give, go to God and He will fill you back up again!
    • Matthew 11:28 says, “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”

T - TEACHER

  • Proverbs 22:6 says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (NLT)
    • That’s a big job – a huge responsibility.
    • Thank goodness God doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own. He gave us an instruction manual: The Bible, His Word.
      • He teaches US so we can teach THEM
      • In fact, the Bible tells us that if we don’t know what to do (need wisdom) we just have to ask God for it.
        • James 1:5, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”
        • Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

H – HELP

  • We need help from others to be the best mom we can be. There are many who help us to do that.
    • Our husband: partners, work together, gain strength from each other
    • Our parents: moms & mother-in-laws can offer wisdom, guidance
    • Other young moms: offer encouragement and support, someone to relate to
    • Biggest help comes from God
      • Help when things seem impossible
        • Psalm 121:2, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”
        • Luke 1:37, “For nothing is impossible with God.”
      • Help when we have worry or concerns
        • 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

E - EXAMPLE

  • Titus 2:7 says, “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”
    • We, as parents, are the example for our kids. The things we do – whether they are good or bad – are the things our kids will learn from us.
      • Actions speak louder than words.
        • 1 John 3:18, “…let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
        • James 2:14-17, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
    • So if we want our kids to be kind, generous, loving, etc. – we have to be those things. We have to show them how to be those things.

R – RELATIONSHIP

  • What are the top 3 relationships in our lives? Let's count them down, from #3 to #1.
  • #3: Relationship with our children.
    • Proverbs 31:27-28, “She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her.”
    • Our relationship with our kids changes as they grow, but at the center of our relationship is always love. If we want to have a good relationship with them when they are older, we have to do put in the time and effort while they are younger.
    • It may be exhausting some days – but the reward is so worth it.
  • #2: Relationship with our husband.
    • Proverbs 31:10-12, “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”
    • Our relationship with our kids is important, but our relationship with our husband is even more important. We have to make sure we talk with our husbands, spend time with them, grow closer to them. 
    • Kids will occupy a lot of your time, but you have to MAKE time to be with your husband – one day the kids will grow up and leave home – you want to have as strong (or stronger) relationship with your husband then as you do now.
  • #1: Relationship with God.
    • Our relationship with God is the most important in our life.
    • He wants to have a relationship with us. He loves us so much that He calls us his CHILDREN (and as parents we know the kind of love between a parent and a child)
      • 1 John 3:1, “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.”
    • All it takes to be in relationship with God is to accept His son as our Savior – what an incredible gift and an awesome privilege – to be in relationship with the Creator of the Universe – He wants to be our Father.
    • 1 Timothy 2:3-6a says, “… God our Savior… wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.”
So what are some of the things we should focus on to be the best mother we can be? Memories, Others First, Teacher, Help, Example, Relationship.

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Be sure you take the time to 'Pour Your Heart Out' today!

4 comments:

  1. That's a beautiful devotion!

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  2. I am printing this and sticking it in my Bible! Beautiful devotional Kristy!

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  3. i love this devotional, and I cant imagine what a stretch it was for you to be present and give this devotional knowing in your heart that you might have been 20 weeks along at the shower. I am so sorry for your loss. You were brave to attend and present, and brave to pour your heart out. thank you for sharing your story.

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