This ones for you moms and dads. I know, get ready, because I have a 4-year-old and an almost 2-year-old so I obviously know what I’m talking about here.
My kids never tell me no, they always listen, and ALWAYS use their manners. If you are catching hints of sarcasm then we’re on the same page.
The truth is my youngest told me no today more times than I can count and my four-year old thinks its fun to ignore someone when they talk to her. We’re all a work in progress.
I got asked recently by a friend how I do it. This parenting thing. I immediately felt a tinge of guilt because this sweet friend thinks I have it all together when I do not. I’m just trying to raise good kids and fill their childhood with Jesus and Joy. I get flustered and a lot of times I’ll give my kids to my village to get a handle on myself. Anyway, she asked me this and I got to thinking, about all the advice I would give to new moms. I started making a list in my head then I stopped myself. I remember getting all the advice and being so overwhelmed with it all. I don’t want to be the mom that overwhelms the new mama. I want to support her and be there for her. Which led me to one thing I would tell a new mom, a seasoned mom, a mom adopting, any mom and I will tell myself:
Everyday, in the good moments, but especially the dark ones. The ones where you’re at the edge of your rope. You’re feeling like you’re not doing it right, like you’re messing it all up. Remember this one thing: God entrusted YOU with his child. That means that he has already given you everything you need to raise that sweet full of attitude kiddo. All you have to do is give into him and let him take over for you. You see, he didn’t give me your child, he gave them to you. He didn’t put me in a place to adopt the child you’re adopting. He did that for you and for that child.
Yes, your village is there to lift you up. They are there to help when you need help and support. He places people in our lives to be the Body of Christ together. However, at the end of the day you’re your child’s mama. You have that entrusted gift. God has fully equipped you to nurture and guide those babies. How beautiful and empowering is that y’all? I could talk your ear off on how incredibly special you are. How Gods plan and will on your life is so specific to you, down to the gifts he gave you during your creation.
However, for now, I want you to hear it, know it in your heart, that you were given all that you need to be the best mama to that sweet child. When you start to feel like someone else can do this gig better than you. When the feelings of being less than and not enough creep up on your tired mama heart I want you to hear the whisper of our Father. The whisper that tells you, you are perfect for this job. You are the one I called into this place. You are what this child needs, especially in these moments. You are not less than, you are right where I placed you. You are more than enough because I have given you all that you need. The whisper that says, Call to me daughter, so that I may reveal all that I have given to you to guide the children I’ve entrusted to you.
My mama heart gets warm and I feel Jesus’ arms around me when I write those words. I need this gentle reminder in my life. There is a whisper in my heart that tells me you need to hear it too.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Psalms 145: 18
annalisabarraza.com 