Grow Your Baby, Grow Your FaithSample

No Need for Perfection

"It is finished"—Jesus’ famous last words on the cross. Jesus had to come- for sinners just like you and me. He finished the work that we, living in our sin, could not complete. He came to save us, forgive us, and set us free from a life of condemnation. We are not bound by the world’s standards of what we “should be. We live amid God’s grace and goodness that flows within us. This is our first lesson in motherhood. It’s where we start.

God does not expect perfection from you, mama. That’s precisely why He came and died. He knew we could never achieve it, and we are free from believing that lie! Instagram makes motherhood look good -really good- with perfectly posed kids, filters that block us from seeing reality, and colorful words that explain a moment in time and can’t capture a real day in a mother’s life. As a pregnant mama, I’m sure you have already seen it, too; perfectly posed bellies with beautiful scenery in the background, filtered monthly belly photos, the “best” pregnancy supplements, or how to come out of this whole deal without stretch marks!

The reality of motherhood is that it’s going to be messy. It will not be wrapped in a bow, well kept, or fit within a fancy Instagram filter. It will have twists, turns, pains, and sacrifices like your journey so far. But, it will also have precious moments, take-your-breath-away “firsts” (first smile, first words, first kiss, first steps), little hands to hold, small backs to rub, bedtime stories, and watching your kids sleep, being in awe at the wonder of it all! It’s all of these things thrown in a box and shaken up! Each day you will pull out something new. It will always be a mixed bag.

Jesus helps us. He rides our rollercoaster days with us. When we spend time with Him, He gives us little nudges along the way, “Hey, a bump is coming up over there,” or “There is a sharp turn coming up around the corner,” or “Get ready! This is gonna be fun!”. The not-so-fun moments of motherhood are spent with Him close by, helping, encouraging, and guiding us. The fun moments are spent giving the glory back to Him, smiling, and realizing that they have all come from Him! Of course, it would be unrealistic for God to expect us to be perfect on this ride- our hair will flip around, we might yell, laugh, be scared, or feel the thrill of the ride, but it’s not meant to look pretty! However, we are called to enjoy the ride with Jesus by our side.

Let these days of pregnancy be messy and imperfect. Let your first days with your little one be messy and imperfect. Remember to lean on Jesus, hang on to His hand tight, and keep your eyes open! There is no need for perfection, mama. There is beauty in the chaos!

With love,

Krystle