Mom Fails and God's Grace

I didn’t hear it over the rumbling of the vacuum but the abrupt halt of the handle in my hand got my attention. I turned around to see what had interrupted my cleaning Zen and that is when I saw it, his sweet little nose gushing blood and the tears starting to stream. Turning off the vacuum I swept his hysterical frame into my arms, “I am so sorry, mama didn’t see you!” My husband came rushing in trying to make sense of all the commotion while I attempted to explain how I had managed to bloody our son’s nose. After the initial panic calmed, the bleeding was controlled, and the tears dissipated, I replayed what had just taken place in my head. How could I not have seen him? Wasn’t he just playing with his toys in the other room? Why was my husband not watching him? How could I be such a terrible mom?

Sweet friend, have you ever had an epic mom fail? Maybe it was an unintentional fail that caused physical harm to your child like the one I just shared. Maybe it was a grand gesture that completely face-planted every one of your expectations in hopes of meeting “#momgoals”. Or perhaps it was a quick-tongued reply in the heat of the moment resulting in an emotionally wounded child. As a mom of a rambunctious soon-to-be four-year-old and a 9-month-old who fancies being held constantly by said, mom, I promise you are not alone; I too experience my fair share of mom fails. Lately, I have been struggling with my desire to love, serve, and respond to my children well but too often allowing my flesh to take center stage; especially when the whining, crying, and complaining seem incessant. The aftermath typically includes more tears, feelings of defeat, and me wrestling with mom guilt. I recently shared these feelings of mom failure with my sweet husband who provided a listening ear and then lovingly reminded me of my inability to be perfect and the gift my Heavenly Father’s sufficient grace; despite my failures. 2 Corinthians 12:9a tells us “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Sweet friend, this is a beautiful reminder to our weary mama souls, especially on the days we can so easily forget that we were never meant to be on the mountains and in the valleys of motherhood alone. Instead of struggling to rely on our strength, we can humbly ask and receive the sufficient grace and strength of our loving Heavenly Father; comforting news for mamas everywhere! Mamahood is hard and messy but may we never forget it can be the greatest message to our little ones of the loving sacrifice, forgiveness, and sufficient grace of Christ! Because of His unfailing love (Psalm 143:8), because of His forgiveness (1 John 1:9), because of His sufficient grace, and because of His strength at work in our hearts, we can be a picture of gospel truth to our sons and daughters. Will it always be easy? No. Will we be a perfect representation? Absolutely not! But sweet friend it will most certainly be life-giving and life-changing, not only for us but also for our families.