Encouragement For Bonus MomsНамуна

Held by God   

by Danielle Novotny

I am sitting down after the end of a long, hard day trying to find words to encourage other stepmoms, foster moms, biological moms, etc. Today was rough.

We all have days when we struggle to function or get through the days by counting the temper tantrums in a screaming toddler or the difficult attitude in a child, etc.. You know the days I'm talking about, right? Just days that run you down spiritually, mentally, and sometimes physically.

So what happens when our kids have difficult days? Are we available to them to listen or to just hold them tight and remind them how much they are loved? What about when our husbands are run down? Are we supporting our husbands in listening to them and allowing them to have a safe place to come to without judgment? Maybe everyone takes out their emotions on you when they are having a tough day, and you're left feeling confused and hurt. Mom life isn't so glamorous all the time. However, I remind myself as I feel broken down and frazzled today that I was the one that my daughter came to because she was having a really hard time with something. I was also the one my husband vented to when he was dealing with a trial of his own. When I began to realize the patterns of the day, I realized I must be doing an okay job if I am comforting others on their bad days too.

Then I thought about God. How many times does He pick us up and hold us and calm us in our crazy, emotional storms? For me, ALL THE TIME. Sometimes I'm too stubborn to let Him help, and then I realize He is going to help anyway, and frankly, I need the help. No matter how many times I try to do it all on my own, God is there.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER What do you need to hand over to God today? Are you struggling with letting him help you? Are you struggling with being there emotionally for your kids or your husband? What areas do you need to give to God? What do you need to thank God for today?

WHAT’S NEXT Find 3 things to jot down in a notebook to thank God for. What have you seen Him do in your family lately?