“I DON’T HAVE TO BE A PERFECT MOM.”
The most freeing truth I’ve learned in motherhood is that
“I don’t have to be a “perfect mom.”
In fact, walking in the way of brokenness actually blesses our children more than striving for perfection as mamas.
Because it’s our brokenness that leads our hearts to repentance, and it’s repentance that guides us into dependence on the Lord.
When our children only see perfection, we begin to engrain a way of thinking that expects perfection from our children, which then leads our children to follow a pattern of striving for perfection that will always be our of reach.
Because the truth is, there’s no such thing as perfection in motherhood, nor perfection in childhood, as we are broken humans living in a broken world and when sin entered the world, the standard of perfection became fully out of reach.
But, by the blood of Jesus, we are invited to surrender every ounce of our brokenness unto his perfection, as he declares forgiven, redeemed and dearly loved.
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:8-10
When we are filled with guilt and shame over our imperfections as mamas, may we let this freeing truth fill our minds and wash over our hearts.
“I don’t have to be a perfect mom.”
It’s a blessing for our children to see our brokenness because by God’s grace, he makes a way through brokenness to display the power of his redeeming love.
To all the temptation that calls us to perfection and in all the ways that the enemy speaks “you don’t measure up,” may we take hold of the truth that we are invited to the beauty of repentance.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Acts 3:19-21
And as our child watch their mama’s heart broken over her sin, yet walking in the grace of forgiveness and turning to the Lord, it’s in those very moments that we are leaving a legacy of dependence on the Lord.
May our brokenness become the invitation for our children to see our desperate need for a Savior. May our repentance replace perfection, as we walk in the light of what Jesus has paid in full. And may this truth lead our children to not seek perfection, but rather to behold the power of the cross.
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30
“I don’t have to be a perfect mom.”
