The 8 promises to uplift a mother’s heart

To all the amazing mums out there, this is for you! A standing ovation of praise and gratitude, for your endless service and selfless sacrifice. I know so often motherhood can feel like a rollercoaster of sleepless nights, high expectations and trying tantrums. But, I’m here to remind you that you’re graced to do this, you’re called to do this, even on the days that you feel completely unqualified (which for me personally, happens quite regularly).

So, beautiful woman, look up and fix your eyes on His promises – there are literally so many!
Praying they give you strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

1.  YOU ARE CHOSEN

I love what 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

You have been chosen. God could have picked anyone to raise your child, but He didn’t. He chose you! He did so strategically and thoughtfully. It’s so easy to compare ourselves to the woman down the street, or the mummy blogger on your screen. But comparison has always been the great thief of joy. Remind yourself daily, God chose me! And not just to be a mother, but to be His. You are fully known and still deeply loved by Him. Don’t settle for superficial affirmation, anchor your identity on the truth of His word. You’ve been hand-picked for this role, so embrace it wholeheartedly.

2. YOU ARE SEEN

It’s so easy to feel invisible in the season of motherhood. Most of your time is spent caring for somebody else, but just remember visibility doesn’t equal value in God’s economy. God often does His best work (in us and through us) in the secret places of our lives.

Author and mother, Nicole Johnson recounts discovering this for herself the night her friend gave her a book on cathedrals. She began to realise that most people would never recall who built the many great cathedrals around the world. Yet, these builders literally sacrificed their lives and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fuelled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

“It was almost as if she heard God whispering to you about her own journey of motherhood, “I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, no last minute errand is too small for Me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become. But I see.”

When I choose to view myself as a great builder—instead of the Invisible mum—I keep the right perspective.

In her blog Nicole continues to share her story. The Author of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals would ever be built in our lifetime because there were so few people willing to sacrifice themselves to that degree. I disagree.

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right—which is why we may feel invisible some days. But one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers.

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” – Genesis 16:3 (NIV)

3. YOU HAVE PURPOSE

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it.” — Romans 12:1 (MSG)

I’m thoroughly convinced that God’s purpose in our lives actually looks pretty ordinary. It’s the candid conversations we have with our kids that shape the way that they view themselves, others and God. It’s the moments we apologise when we miss the mark, or demonstrate authenticity when we live vulnerably and with integrity. It’s the times that we pray as a family and see God answers our prayers supernaturally! It’s the values, world-views and tools we impart and instill in our kids, everyday, in the simplest of ways.

Embracing your purposes simply requires you to surrender what’s in your hand, right now. So, just like that verse says, take your everyday responsibilities, routines and duties and give it to God. Because what may seem mundane, becomes oh so magnificent when surrendered to Him!

4. YOU matter to him

“Casting all your cares (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your fears upon him, for he cares about you (with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully).” — 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

God knows you, and He cares about you. Like a good Father He doesn’t want you to carry your burdens on your own. Whatever you are worrying about today, let Him have it. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. His shoulders are bigger than yours and so is His heart for you.

5. YOU CAN WALK IN PEACE

“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.
Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 4:7 (TPT)

Turn your worry into worship and your problems into prayers! As you do stress and anxiety will be displaced by peace and relief. His promise to you is calmness, even in the roughest of storms.

6. YOU’RE INVITED to seek

God doesn’t hide things from us, He hides things for us and you’ve been invited to seek.

“Seek more of his strength, Seek more of Him! Let’s always be seeking the light of his face! For though a thousand generations may pass away, He is still true to his word. He has kept every promise he made to Abraham and to Isaac.” Psalms 105:3

I totally get how challenging it is to get down time as a mum, let alone quiet time with God! But don’t let the difficulty of it stop you from it. I know when I first became a mum I struggled a lot with not being able to do my regular quiet time in the morning. To be honest, all I wanted in the mornings was an extra hour of uninterrupted sleep (anyone else relate)?

I quickly realised that my “seeking God” needed to look different, because my life was radically different now!

I regularly started spending time with God at night, when my babies had gone to bed, or while they napped throughout the day. These days I actually spend most of my quiet time in the car. In between work or Uni responsibilities I just park up next to a lake and pull out my bible and journal for an hour or so. To be honest, I often try and spend time along with God outside of the house so I don’t feel compelled to clean or re-order a room (that’s a whole other issue ha). Point is, never stop seeking, He is waiting to be found! 

7. YOU’ve been called TO FOLLOW

“Give me a revelation of your ways, So I can enjoy the reward of following them fully! Give me an understanding heart so I can passionately know and obey your truth. Guide me into the paths that please you, for I take delight in all that you say. Cause my heart to bow before your words of wisdom, and not to the wealth of this world. Help me turn my eyes away from illusions. So that I pursue only that which is true; drench my soul as I walk in your paths. Reassure me of your promises, for I am your beloved, your servant who bows before you!” – Psalms 119:33 (TPT)

God has given us His word as a roadmap, but His Holy spirit is our tour guide. Don’t stop following His lead. Let His word light up the way, and His spirit empower you to walk it out. He’s not just walking beside you, He has walked before you and laid out the path that you should take. 

8. YOUR prayers are powerful

The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power] — James 5:16 (AMP)

Prayer is powerful! It literally pulls heaven to earth and ushers in God’s will for our lives.
It changes our circumstances and most importantly it changes us! So, never stop praying! Never stop declaring His word and wielding prayer as your weapon to protect and cover your family.

In closing, may the words of Andy Stanley put courage in your bones and remind you of the incredible privilege and huge responsibility is it to raise a child.

“Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom may not be something you do, but someone you raise.”

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