Perfectly Imperfect

I just finished reading a blog post titled “You are their perfect mother”, and I agreed that God placed each of our children in OUR arms because he knew that would be the best place for them. I finished the blog smiling thinking, “I am my child’s perfect mother! We both love coloring and art, and I make her laugh. I can make her favorite foods. I even made her a play kitchen! Yay me!” But then reality happened, and my art loving child didn’t have any playdough because it was getting hard so I threw it out, and the play dough tools that this perfect mom purchased for Christmas sit unused in the drawer for weeks now even though my little artist reminds me pulling them out every day.

This moment left me thinking about all the times this “perfect” mom that God chose for my child actually disappointed her. I was reminded about all the times this “perfect” mom was beyond frustration when she wouldn’t eat her food, all the times that I raised my voice in anger when she wouldn’t lay down for a nap. All the times I sat tired and guilty because I didn't want to play grocery store one more time. Some perfect mom…

The idea that we are the perfect mother for our kids just leaves us failing to meet our expectations and God’s expectations. Wasn’t he the one that gave me this child so that I could be her perfect mother? The answer is no. Go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief. You are NOT their perfect mother. You are imperfect with weaknesses and breaking points, with anger and guilt. But let me speak some truth to you. Christ says to you, ‘"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore you should boast all the more gladly about your weaknesses, so that my power may rest on you’ (2 Corinthians 12:9) Perfect moms don’t need grace or an extra amount of patience. Perfect moms can’t display true dependence on their heavenly Father. Thank the Lord that you are not a perfect mother. And when you are on your knees asking God for what you need today to bless and love that child he gave you, you magnify his glory, replacing your weaknesses with his power. So go ahead momma, boast in your weakness, right in front of your kids, and let Christ’s power rest on you.