Approval Rating

I think all moms can agree we would love to have 100%  approval ratings in our households.  A gold star on the dishwasher for someone noticing they had a clean bowl for breakfast, or added privileges for dinner being on time each night.  Let's face it as mothers our approval ratings are low (and honestly if your approval rating is high check for an alien invasion). We are clearly out of touch with reality, we don't understand, and we simply live to complicate the lives of those little humans that live in our houses.  I don't know about you but after a long day of cooking, cleaning, laundry, homeschooling, and taxi service I spend several hours finding ways to complicate the lives of the little humans I love! I find great joy in the struggle over the details of life said no mother EVER! In reality there are moments when I consider taking the easy road.  The road of less resistance just to have one afternoon...who am I kidding I would take one hour of easy.

Parenting can cause us to be easily discouraged.  Is this what life is all about?  The back and forth debate over social media, cell phone usage, and appropriate dress?  Or is there more? I have good news!  As mothers we are to teach and live in a way that God's word is seen throughout our lives.  We cannot simply drag our kids to church on Sundays and sign them up for the cool youth group.  We must live in such a way that we ARE the example.

I know you are probably thinking I liked the idea of arguing over cell phones much more than this.  I understand the burden that you may feel but we can be encouraged because we do not have to face this seemingly daunting task alone.  God can and will provide all that we need.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.  Luke 12:31

We can stand on the promises of God's word.  We know He will provide everything we need. For my personal journey, I find that I must carve out time for myself.  I am not talking about girls night out but time for me to spend with the Lord.  Some days it is 10 minutes and some days it is an hour.  Honestly a few days last week, I put myself in timeout and had extra time with the Lord.  Both I and my kids appreciated it!  My time in scripture and prayer provides me focus and clarity, clears anxiety and worry that I tend to pick up each day, and renews my soul.  One of my favorite scriptures is Psalms 34:10 and the image of a lion in all its strength and prowess is no comparison to those who seek the Lord is powerful.

So mothers be encouraged for at the end of the day we have no greater joy than for our children to know the Lord.  I will continue to accept my low approval ratings knowing in my heart that in the end the greater good is being served as we are Growing Up on Dublin Lane.