“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Reflect
My mom knelt down to my eye-level and grabbed my hand. I could see her brokenness through the tears in her eyes as she asked for forgiveness for the way she acted toward me. I’ll never forget the words that came out of her mouth: “Mommy needs as much grace as you do, baby. In fact, I need God’s grace every single day. Will you forgive me for the way I acted?”
As a 7-year-old, I hadn’t seen many adults apologize and ask for forgiveness from a child quite like my mom did. And even to this day, as a mother of my own child, I see how important this seemingly simple act can be—even through the hurt, guilt, sin, and shame that comes with motherhood, we are not exempt from God’s sustaining grace; in fact, brokenness makes us better moms—with a vulnerable, desperate longing for Jesus.
Our sole reliance must be on the sustaining cross of grace where Jesus took on all of our crippling fears, weakness, and sins. The grace, power, and strength of our Mighty God makes suffering and brokenness in this life livable. The world will tell us that brokenness equals failure, but what we ultimately need as moms only comes through brokenness.
Our heavenly Father knows there’s something better for us through himself…and that “better” equals broken. It equals full dependence on the only One who can make us whole. And that’s exactly what our children need—a mom who is proclaiming less of herself and more of Jesus, allowing Him to change her desires and finding satisfaction only within Him. We must give up our idea of “better” and submit ourselves to God’s best for us: our sanctification. Because as we desperately depend on Jesus, we love more like Him, and we love our children better as a result.
Pray
Father, how I desperately need your grace and forgiveness. I am weak and broken, in need of You every hour of every day. Crush my pride, Lord, and allow me to be fully embraced in Your Gospel of love and healing. Help me to be the mother you have called me to be–utterly and fully dependent on You and intoxicated with Your love. You are my only hope—and I pray my children see Your glory proclaimed through my life. Amen.
Your Turn
Are you embracing your brokenness and turning to the One who can make you whole? Remember, nothing we do in this life is on our own strength—it is only by the grace of God. We are incredibly weak, but He is forever strong. Rest in that truth today, mama.
