Some days simply require a gallon of coffee, and whatever feeble attempts we can make to survive the day. Some days loom large and dark on the horizon, shadowing us in a light so unbecoming, we cannot help but feel a failure.
If you parent a child, then you have known the suffocating feeling of imperfection, of failing them time and again. You will struggle with thoughts of how the world views you and your parenting of these tiny, fragile humans. You will feel less than qualified to nurture and teach them to grow into the perfect specimens of society we all secretly dream they will one day be. You will deal with an indescribable exhaustion from trying to be stronger than you feel.
But know this: that exhaustion does not mean you are weak. It simply means you have been strong on your own for far too long. We were never expected to do this parenting thing on our own. We are not only surrounded by a community of other imperfect, broken parents trying to see their way through, but also the strong arms of the One who knit us together and put a beating in our hearts. || “I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10 || “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength.” – 2 Timothy 4:17 || Yes, there will be days when you may drink a gallon or three of coffee to stay on this side of sanity. Hard days will always threaten our small, personal bubbles, but never forget this: you are NOT a failure. God will take you as you are and use your completely imperfect, broken humanity to speak truth and grace to those you have been gifted to mother. He will use you in fearless ways, despite your weakness. Know it, and take strength in Him.
