It had been a really terrible, awful, hard day. So hard that I sat and cried. And yet, it brought me to the end of myself. And that was a good thing.
When I finished crying, I sat down to do some work and happened upon a story about Andrew Carnegie that completely changed my perspective as a mom and as a child of God.
Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America in the early 1900s, so wealthy that he employed over 42 millionaires. When asked how he developed these men to become so valuable that he would pay them that much money, Carnegie explained that “men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold, but one doesn’t go into the mine looking for dirt — one goes in looking for gold.”
I’d been buried in the dirt that day. I was lost in the monotony of motherhood and felt like my days had no meaning. My discouragement and feelings of failure as a mom left me so disappointed in myself. And I was convinced God felt the same way about me.
I started wishing I had a gold-miner in my life who could see beyond my mistakes and find the gold in me. That’s when God whispered to my heart, “Renee, I am that gold-miner. You are the one who is so critical of yourself. You are the one who focuses on your faults. But I see the gold of My image in your heart, and I want to bring it to the surface so your kids can see Me in you.”
As I sat there trying to process what God was whispering to my heart, stories from the Bible started flooding my thoughts helping me believe that God really does see beyond who I am to who I can become.
That day God used His thoughts to give me a new perspective – of Himself and of myself. Then He challenged me to look for ways to transfer that perspective to my children.
It’s easy to get buried in the dirt of discontentment, disobedience and discouragement. You may even be thinking, Where’s the gold in it all? I wondered, too. But after reading Carnegie’s story and hearing God speak to my heart, I wanted to become a gold-mining mom.
As I thought about the gold I wanted to see in my children, character traits of Christ such as patience, kindness and contentment came to mind. I decided to make a list of golden attitudes and actions and look up Bible verses we could learn together. Then I made gold nuggets by balling up foil and spray-painting them gold.
In the following weeks, each time my kids showed a golden attitude or action, I’d reward them. When they saved up enough nuggets, they’d get a special treat. We also found new character traits and Bible verses, wrote down ideas to live them out and started making them part of our family devotions.
It took time for me to embrace a grace-based parenting perspective and let God’s new truths sink in. But I was so excited about having a spiritual focus as a mom. I started getting creative and about finding time in the midst of my busy days to get into His Word and get His word into me. And as I did, He used His thoughts to re-shape mine.
God’s Word became a part of our everyday lives as He taught me to take my eyes off of my children’s habits and focus on their hearts. Not only did it change my kids’ attitudes and actions, it changed me, too. For the first time in months, I was excited about my role as a parent. God had given me a new perspective, and a whole new sense of purpose as a mom!
Lord, thank You for not focusing on the dirt in my life but seeing beyond who I am to who I can become. Help me believe that, receive that and give it away to my kids, my husband and my friends. Help me look at their hearts and encourage the glimpses of You that I see in them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Portions of this post are in my book, A Confident Heart.
Copyright 2011. Baker Publishing. All rights reserved.
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That devotion is just what I needed today! It's funny as mom's how often we feel alone as we raise our kids, but your devotion today pointed to the truth that we are not alone, we have a heavenly father who is right beside us everyday. And that when were struggling or feeling defeated he's right there to hold us up! Thank you for reminding me how encompassing our God is! If I were to win the gift pack I would choose a Voyager, as a Pastor's wife and mom of three, we are always on the go, and to be able to bring God's word with me to listen to on the go, would be a blessing! I would give the other gift pack to a good friend of mine, who hasn't quite grasped the importance of Gods written word in her life yet. Maybe with something she could listen too, she would begin to understand the impact that this amazing book can have on her everyday life! Thank you! Kristine
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I'm a mother of three boys, two with autism. I had to go see my son's new autism class room today for next year and just cried. I want my son to get better so much and to see a classroom of happy little boys just trying so hard, breaks my heart. But I need to keep loving them for who they are and have faith they will get better.
I would chose the GoBible Voyager and give the second one to another mother with a child with autism to help them with their journey.
Thanks so much for the great devotion. I love the GoBible Voyager, but would be thrilled with any of them. I would give the other to my best friend who lives in another state. She is my greatest blessing and encourager as a friend and I would love for her to have one. She is a mother of three. Diana B
WOW, I needed to open my email and read this one! After a LONG night of crying and a day off of work with a migraine and golfball eyes (not pretty)! This was what I needed to hear! I am a single mom of a little boy who's dad died 2 years ago due to alcohol. I am having many many issues at school/home which makes me CONSTANTLY think am I a good mom, Or I want to quit, Or he would be better off without me as a mom. I know satan creeps in and knows right where to hit me. I feel like I messed up my son and I don't know where to turn or how to fix it. Your email shows me when I realize its NOT me but God who when I let Him in and help His strength/wisdom etc can! So I looked at the Go bibles and I would be grateful for any of them! I do like the Voyager which is white makes me think of how our sins/past are white as snow through Christ. WOuld be that reminder! If I were to win I would give the other one to another single mom I know in hopes that when she feels these same ways she too would Know God is with her! My email is: [email protected]
My name is Angela Buehler
(This is my second posting cause I don't think the first went through but if it did I am sorry for the duplicate!) Thanks again for uplifting my day!
I needed this encouragement today!! There is so much joy in the refiners fire! Focusing on the place I am with my Heavenly Father helps me to be a better mommy! I would choose the GoBible Voyager
because it would be a great running companion! Music and the word working together before our homeschool day starts… beautiful! I would give the other one to my friend Rachael… She is a mom to a 4 year old and twin 2 year olds! We look to each other often for encouragement in the Word and in keeping sane 🙂 Thanks again! Kristy
Oh my goodness! Did I ever need to hear this one today! As I was coming home from picking my 1st grader up, my 2 1/2 yr old is beyond tired and just starts screaming and fussing about everything. Of course, my 7 yr old doesn't ever help matters. She will just pester her and egg her on. GEESH! By the time I got home, I just wanted to collapse. Got little one down for nap, groceries put up, and sat down with a latte and read this. THANK YOU! I SO need GOD's perspective, and YES, I have said I wanted to quit many times! Glad I'm not the only one! HA! I think I would like the original Bible thingy. Thank you for your ministry! Julie
[email protected]
Oh my goodness! Did I ever need to hear this one today! As I was coming home from picking my 1st grader up, my 2 1/2 yr old is beyond tired and just starts screaming and fussing about everything. Of course, my 7 yr old doesn't ever help matters. She will just pester her and egg her on. GEESH! By the time I got home, I just wanted to collapse. Got little one down for nap, groceries put up, and sat down with a latte and read this. THANK YOU! I SO need GOD's perspective, and YES, I have said I wanted to quit many times! Glad I'm not the only one! HA! I think I would like the original Bible thingy. Thank you for your ministry! Julie
[email protected]
Thank you for your devo on prov31 and your blog. How encouraging! I needed that! I will be passing this on! As far as which one I'd like, it wouldn't matter, I never heard of this product! I do not have an iphone etc so having this would be so helpful to me! I would give the other to one of my very first Christian friends…Stephanie! She has been such a blessing to me…I can actually let her in my "messy house" w/o worry of judgement! She is an answer to prayer! Thank you for your giving! You are such a blessing! I pray I allow God to use me like He has used you to bless other lives! Thanks!
WOW, I opened my email today and after a long night of crying thats exactly what I needed to hear! I am a single mom to a little boy who's dad dies due to alcohol. I am having many many struggles with him in school and home and I CONSTANTLY question if I am a good mom. Feeling like I messed up my child. With feelings like my son would be better off without me! If I won I would give the second one to another single mom I know in hopes it would help her through her tough journey as well! I looked at the go bibles and I would be happy with any, the Voyager is nice because being white it would be a reminder that with Christ our sins/past are white as snow. Thank you again for your encouraging emails! can be contacted through email
[email protected] Thanks Angela B
Thank you for your blog post! It was very encouraging~ The prov31 devo was what I needed today! I will be passing this on! If I won, I would give one to my friend Stephanie…she has been a blessing to me! For the first time ever I have Christian women friendships and she is one of my first! I can actually let her into my "Messy home" LOL! I thank God for her! As far as which one? I am not picky on this…never seen this product before! I'd be thankful for either one!
I want to let you know how much your words encourage me as a divorced mother of three. I truly feel blessed to have come across your site. I would enjoy the Voyager and would give the other to my mother. Thank you so much!
Your encouragement today really spoke to my heart. As soon as I'm done with this comment I'm forwarding the devotional to my mom's group at church. I'd love to win the GoBible voyager and I'd love to give one to my good friend Elka, for her sincere friendship and encouragement to me the past year.
Thanks!
Britt
[email protected]
Thanks so much for your devos. They are helping me so much. I am going through depression and anxiety right now and they have helped me so much. I would love the GoBible Original and would give the other copy to my dear friend and Prayer Warrior, email address is [email protected]
Thanks for the encouragement. A friend sent me the link, knowing we've been having trying times with our toddler. I hope to be back more often! I'd prefer the Voyager GoBible, and the second pack I would give to a family in our small group, with two young boys.
Thanks!
~Beth
I feel a little lighter after reading the devotions. Thank you for being our voice….you know the little ones in our head that we hear but don't often let speak out to anyone else. I would love the Voyager Go Bible. I would give the other one to my friend Chanda who is going through a divorce right now. She is leaning on God through this walk and I'd love for her to have it at all times.
Thank you for your eloquent words that help us all each day.
Sincerely, Missy
Thank you for the "Sometimes I just Wanna Quit" devotional. It really spoke to my heart and I could definitely relate having two boys (ages 3 and 4). Sometimes I could just pull my hair out. But, today I was reminded to rely on our Maker for strength. I would enjoy the GoBible Voyager and would share the 2nd with my good friend Erica. Thank you!
I'm still praying for more patience, understanding and compassion with my 3 YO DD. I'm a working mom, so my time with her is truncated, and I want to make a positive impression on her and impart God's love daily. If I'm chosen, I would like the Voyager. My best friend from high school (and still best friend today) would be the recipient of the other GoBible. We are both women on the go and would greatly benefit from this gift.
Thank you, Renee, for your words, your heart, and your love. If I am chosen, I would love the Voyager Go Bible, please! I would give the other gift pack to my Aunt, who was raised LDS yet searching still for truth. Also, her husband (My dear Uncle) is #1 on the heart transplant list, and has been for over a year. Time is running out, and to say that stress is running her down would be an understatement. She has many medical problems herself, mostly brought on by the stress of my Uncle's health, and having to take care of the household both physically and financially. Anyway, thank you again – God Bless you and your family!
Lisa Ross
[email protected]
Hello! Thanks for the encouragement and the chance to win. I would chose the GoBible Voyager. I would give the other one to my dear friend Erika. We don't "see" each other often anymore, but, we stay connected through email, FB and cellphones. She is a wonderful mother and a great encouragement to me.
Thanks!
Thanks Renee. I would choose the Voyager version. I would make use of the look-up verse, index options and all of the bookmarks.
I would give the second one to my friend Amy who is my sounding board and in the trenches of motherhood with me.