I was invited to be a part of Brooke McGlothlin’s Gospel Centered Mom book tour! I’m excited to be part of her launch team to spread the word of this encouraging and inspiring book. This post was inspired by her book. If you would like to join us and learn more about being a part of it, click here.
As I started to read The Gospel-Centered Mom I couldn’t help but see confirmation. Confirmation of what the Lord has been speaking to me about these past few months. There are so many quotes throughout the book that made me stop and ponder on the depth of truth that it spoke to my heart. These quotes ministered to me in a deep way because it met me exactly in the season that I’m in.
You see, these past few months have been tough. I just had my third son and it’s been quite an adjustment. I have been feeling like I am so behind and everything I set out to do never seems to get accomplished.
I’m sleep deprived which makes it much harder for me to stay focused and stay on task. I feel like there is not enough of me to go around when I’m with my boys. I feel terrible that I’m not as present, loving, patient and attentive with them like I desire to be. Or when I don’t even have anything left over to give my hubby when he gets home.
I know I’m not the only one that may feel this way. Can you relate with me?
Now I want to share a truth with you that will set you free!
“You will Never be Enough.”
How can that be freeing you may ask? It’s freeing because all the expectations we put on ourselves to try to be perfect for our families can be put to rest. Isn’t that great?!? If we have Jesus He is ALL the enough we need. He will provide you with all the tools you need and will help you use those tools to further His kingdom.
As a mom I always strive to be the best I can be for my children.
I know I’m not the only mom that strives to be the best they can be for their family. We try to be enough! But guess what?!? “If we were enough on our own, we wouldn’t need Jesus, and, friend, we all desperately need Jesus.” (Page 14)
Isn’t that the truth?!
“Our greatest need isn’t to be reassured that we have what it takes to be great moms. Our greatest need is Jesus.” (Page 43)
Amen!
The Lord did not call us to be enough in order to accomplish His calling in our lives. “The hard truth- you and I are not enough and we will never be.” “Beautiful truth- Jesus is all the enough we will ever need.” (page. 32)
In this journey of motherhood we NEED Him!! We were not called to walk out our calling of motherhood alone. We need His guidance, His strength and His wisdom to know how to live our lives for Him. So we can show our children how to pursue God’s truth and His presence above all else. That they may develop a real and true relationship with their creator.
Here is another awesome quote!
“Until we see ourselves for who we truly are (desperate and in need of our Savior), and our purpose in life for what it truly is (to serve Christ and give up our lives for him), we’ll never find peace in the midst of our mothering or our lives. But when we do, it changes everything.” (page 108)
I know this to be true as I have been walking this truth out for several years. Without the Lord by my side I will be lost. I desperately NEED His guidance and wisdom everyday so I can be the mother He has called me to be to the children He has blessed me with.
Two Quotes that Forever Changed my Perspective in Motherhood
Number one- “Life isn’t cookie-cutter perfect, and the truth of God’s word doesn’t always change my situation. But with His help, I can manage my situation with grace and humility.”
This quote is powerful! It’s a great reminder that I have to surrender my thoughts, emotions and reactions to the Lord daily, every minute of every day (some days more than others) so I can manage my situation more gracefully.
Instead of seeing all the negative things that are happening all around me at the moment, I need to see my current situation as an opportunity to demonstrate the fruits of the spirit to those around me. My boys are watching me closely everyday. They are seeing how I react to different situations, how I handle my emotions, and if am I walking out the Gospel like the Lord instructs us to do.
So I desperately need to be in His word, seeking God out daily so I can serve Him through my family. So I can live out a Gospel-centered life and show my children how that looks like and how they too can live out the Gospel in their own lives.
Number two– “There comes a time when a mom has to embrace the truth of who her kids are instead of wishing they were different.”
This quote hit me hard! Why? It’s not necessarily that I am wishing my boys were different but more of how I should embrace the truth of who they are. God created each of my boys perfectly. Each of them God created for a purpose. I need to stop trying so hard to raise them in the way that I believe the Lord has called me to raise them. But to cry out to the Lord and have Him lead and guide me in how He wants me to raise them. To embrace who each of them are and enjoy them.
It is not easy to walk a Gospel-centered life but we are called to walk it. We will not be walking it alone because we can’t do it on our own. It’s only with the help of Christ that we can live a Gospel centered life. So I want to encourage you to seek out God with all you heart, mind and soul and surrender your life fully to Him. So we can serve Him with our lives and raise a generation that will do the same.
“As you learn to anchor your life in the Gospel, you’ll find increased freedom, purpose, and joy in motherhood.” If the quotes I shared ministered to you I encourage to get Brooke McGlothin’s new book The Gospel-Centered Mom. It is a book worth having and one that will both challenge and inspire you on your journey to living a Gospel-centered life.
Which quote impacted you the most?
Jessica is a follower of Christ, wife, and mother of three energetic boys. She writes about homeschooling, frugal living, motherhood, intentional living and everything in between. Her heart is to inspire and encourage others to live an intentional life.
Thank you for sharing a review of this book, it was what I was looking for.
I loved the book that Brooke cowrote with Stacey Thacker, Hope for the Weary Mom. I was reading while being induced with my 2nd daughter so I shall have to look into this one too! Today’s By His Grace Bloggers has given me a few books to chase up.
I also loved Hope for the Weary Mom…. it was SO good! This book The Gospel-Centered Mom is a fantastic book. I know you will enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by Lizzy!