The Abiding Mom...

All of us Mommy's have been there, right?

We want to do it all. 

We want to take our kids to every museum, craft center, aquarium, theme park, vacation, every park in town...

We want to share life with our babies. To teach them. To play with them. To watch them grow, learn, explore, and have fun!

I say it hasn't been a good day unless someone has laughed, used their imagination, danced, and sang at least 14 songs!

In our house we love play. We love fun. We love.

I put so much pressure on myself to make every day count that sometimes I don't even do any of the things listed above. Kind of defeats the purpose, right? But life gets in the way and I can only be so good of a playmate. I have my grown up chores to do...and I know I'm spending too much time on them and not on my boys when Charlie, who never likes to be cuddled, says for days on end, "Mommy, I wanna hold you yike a baby..." with his arms reaching up for me to hold him like a baby. 

I found this Abiding Mom vs Super Mom on a blog I really love called "Confessions of a Homeschooler" and thought I'd share these ideas with you Abiding Mom's and talk about what they mean to me. Beware, you may cry...just sayin'. ;)

Super Mom vs Abiding Mom

The Super Mom does. 

The Abiding Mom is. 

Psalm 46:10 reminds us to be still and know that He is God.

The Super Mom is controlled by an agenda. 

The Abiding Mom is controlled by the Holy Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22-26 tells us of the fruits of the Spirit.

The Super Mom's self worth is found in her accomplishments. 

The Abiding Mom's self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Don't forget that we are God's child and that He is enough! Having a perfectly clean house, perfectly pressed clothes, perfectly in style, perfect kids...that's all vanity. What really matters is are we abiding in the Lord? Are our tasks more important than training our children? Is wanting a perfect appearance to others more important than how we appear to God?

The Super Mom's peace is found with a perfect environment. The Abiding Mom finds peace in Jesus in the midst of any storm. Isaiah 26:3.

The Super Mom is discouraged by failure and when things don't go the way she wants them to. When the Abiding Mom fails she is reminded that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. We can't do everything perfectly all the time. When we fail at something, we need to realize that our efforts still matter. Whatever the outcome, just keep abiding in the Lord!

The Super Mom expects perfection from herself. 

The Abiding Mom practices grace with herself and with others. 

Ephesians 4:32.

The Super Mom teaches her children to be good. 

The Abiding Mom teaches her children to be godly. 

Proverbs 22:6 tells us about training our children in the ways of the Lord.

The Super Mom is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit.

The Abiding Mom abides in Christ and bears much fruit. 

John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Be reminded daily that we can't do it without Him; make Him apart of your every day!

The Super Mom does things with her children. 

The Abiding Mom builds a relationship with her children. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says to teach the things of God diligently to your children. When you walk in the way, when you sit down, when you lie down and when you rise up...constantly talking of God, His way, His word...hiding His word in their hearts.

The Super Mom's perspective is based on what is seen. 

The Abiding Mom's perspective is based on what is unseen. 

Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our affections on the things above not the things of earth. Remember, things will disappear but your children's souls will last forever.

The Super Mom chooses quantity of activities. 

The Abiding Mom chooses the most excellent way. 

1 Corinthians 13.

I learned a lot about what is expected of me by God when it comes to raising my boys. I am reminded that they aren't mine, but His. They are a gift to me; a most precious gift. 

I try to do things with them to spend time with them. 

My house isn't always 100% clean and oh well! Who really cares, anyway? You don't care if someone else's house is a wreck, so why am I worried that you do!? Besides, you're my friend. You're a Mommy, too- you, if anyone, has got my back! And I got yours! We know it's tough!! I don't judge! If your house is immaculate then something, somewhere has been left undone. What that usually is, is the kids. As I type this, Wesley is poking the keyboard. I should be playing with him and he's letting me know that, so I'll end this. (It's too long anyway.)

Abide in Him. 

Sit on the floor and play with your kids. 

You'll blink and they'll be grown...