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.
Purpose-Driven Mom Gift Pack:
Enter to win my Purpose-Driven mom message on CD and my “Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child Character Chart and The Mom I Want to Be by Suzie Eller. To enter, click “share your thoughts” below and share why you’d like win.
Loved todays devotion. I am Mammy to 2 beautiful girls – one 4 and one turning 3 in a few days. If I win I will probably give one to my daughter. We would probably share it. I would give the other to my niece who has a little boy turning 6 this month. They need God in their lives. Probably the GoBible Voyager. Thank you for Proverbs 31 devotions.
Thank you for the inspiring and transparent encouragement. I receive P31 at work and look forward to each one to pick me up during the day. If chosen, I would prefer the GoBible Voyager (NIV). I'm sure my girlfriend raising 3 grandchildren (girls) would love the other. Keep up the great work for His Kingdom!!
I love your blog. Thank you for inspiring us each day.
I would love the GoBible Voyager. it has everything I need with that great keyword "Preloaded". Busy moms don't even have time to load their own stuff!
I would give the 2nd gift to a friend of mine who is a mother of 4 little ones. I have been witnessing to her and this would be a great encouragment.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience today! I made it through the toddler years in God's hands. The GoBible's are amazing tools for life with Christ. If chosen I would choose the GoBible Original. I wouldnt feel right keeping one and giving one, so I would give both of the away. I have two women at church in mind. One just went thru a divorce and has three little girls to raise. As a single parent I feel for her and I see her struggling and pray that I could take the pain and worry away from her. The second mother hasnt been coming to church in over 6 months. She has two toddlers and was struggling with tempertantrums every Sunday. I feel that she became frustrated and emberrased with her childrens actions. I would like to just share with both of them that they are wonderful mothers because God made them. And God will not ever turn his back on them. Thank you for every heart you have touched today. Sarena B.
I prayed this morning that God would help me be a more patient mom..and then I read your devotion. It was like a personal whisper just to me-thanks!
I would love either go Bible.
Kendra
Thanks so much for this. Eventhough I am a new mommie of 3-month old, this is going to help me ALOT! I always pray that GOD will show my husband and I the way he wants us to raise our son.
Thanks so much for the inspirational devotion. I am mom to a 17 year old step-son, 3 year old boy, and 1 year old girl. My 3 year old is the very difinition of strong-willed!! Your devotion described my emotions perfectly. How often I feel like I am not measuring up as a parent. Thanks for the encouragement, this weary mom needed it! I would prefer the voyager or the original GoBible. I would give the second to my best friend, my mom.
Katie
[email protected]
so enjoy your devotionals on Proverbs 31 email list! If I were to win this gift pak, I would give the second pak to my friend, Vicki. She is the busiest Mom I know! She is the worship leader and praise team leader at our church, she has two young children who keep her very busy, and a husband who owns his own company that includes a lot of travel dates, which leaves Vicki solo parentis quite often. Vicki also ministers to the young adults (college age and newly married) at our church, which means a lot of mentoring time and late night/early morning phone calls from desperate and needy "kids." Recently, Vicki's mother was diagnosed with liver cancer, her fourth cancer diagnosis in five years.
I admire Vicki's attitude of always being there for others and feel that this gift pak would encourage her in her walk with the Lord as she leads others, including her children. I think the Voyager would probably be the most useful GoBible for her.
Thanks for this opportunity!
Becky
[email protected]
What a timely message for me! Just yesterday I told someone, "I quit!" It's great to be reminded that God doesn't see my dirt, of which there is plenty, only the gold to be found under the dirt. If I won this great prize pack, I would give the other to a friend who is a single mom like me. We need all the help and encouragement we can get!:) The GoBible seems like an awesome resource! I would choose the Voyager.
Wow, what a timely devotion today. I so wanted to quit mommyhood yesterday, but didn't know who to give my resignation to! I would love the Voyager NIV and I would share with my friend Kaaren who is walking (running sometimes) alongside me as we both parent kids of similar age. Great devotion, great giveaway! Blessings to you.
Renee,
Thank you for giving up time from your day to help us with ours. Being a mom is not an easy gig! It is wonderful that as moms and woman we can share our hard times, too often we think everyone has it better, or is doing it right, but then we find out they are human just like us (whew!!!) and we get to grow in the Lord together.
As for the offer, the GoBible Original looks wonderful – handy on my 20 minute commute to pick up the kids from school. I have a friend, Dini, who is a step-mom of two children, growing in her role as a mom and as a daughter of Christ. This would bless her.
Thanks and keep feeding us those wonderful written goodies!
Tobi Lyons
[email protected]
Wonderful and much needed Word today. I'm a stay at home mom of two boys (2yrs & 1yr old) having two toddlers running around is stressful enough but the past few months I've been struggling with my identity and purpose. Making it difficult to see Gods plan and adding to my daily stress. This daily devotional has really helped me get past myself to see God in my daily life. I am looking forward to bring His focus and perspective into my parenting. The GoBible Voyager would be very helpful in keeping my mind in the Word.
Thanks again for sharing your heart.
Sonja
[email protected]
Thanks, Renee, for reminding me to look for the "good" in my children instead of focusing on their attitudes & behaviors. I would love to win the GoBible original; and would give the 2nd one to my best friend, Beth, who is a busy RN mom. Thanks! and God Bless!
[email protected]
We so often feel guilty about not loviing every minute of mommyhood. Thanks for the encouragement. I would love the voyager GoBible and I would give the second to my friend, a mother of 2, who drives to therapy and dr apts all the time with no cd player in her car!
As I began reading your devotion, I knew this was intended just for me. I have 3 kids, runa daycare, and yes feel that what I am doing is never enough. I need more time in my busy schedule. What I really need to do is turn to God more and talk to him, thank you for reminding me of this. I would give the gift pack to my mom who was sucha great role model to me.
I would choose the go bible voyager if I was to win! Thank you so much for your devotion today!
Angie
Angie
When your post came up under my encouragement for today I knew God was hearing my cries for help. As a mother of 6, there are times I feel like throwing in the towel and feel as though I'd be making more progress pouring my heart out to the wall instead of my kids. I just need to be reminded from time to time that it's not what I do or say that is going to bring about the progress I want so desperately to see in my kids, but it's the Lord Himself that does the changing. I need to be faithful and dependent on Him. I'm so busy home-schooling, being a mom and wife… it leaves not much time for caring for myself, doing things I love, or even getting my devotions in… I think the voyager Bible would be great! I have a very good friend who has 7 children, and I know would love to have one as well. 🙂 She's been an encouragement to me so often.
Hi Renee – thank you so much for this morning's devotion – it really spoke to me. I have three sons and at times when they don't do as I say or what I want I feel like I have failed in some way or messed up somewhere along the line. But then God reminds me that I should be thankful because my sons are living for Him, I know where they are each day and I am able to see and speak with them…unlike some parents. I am a very busy mom taking the boys to their various events and I have been trying to get an audio version of the Bible but not able to afford it so getting the GoBible Voyager would be great. Of course if I win, I would give the second package to my unsaved co-worker who is a mother of three and is eager to know more about the Lord. Thanks and remain blessed. kdr
We so often feel guilty for not LOVING every minute of mommyhood. Thanks for you real help and encouragement! I would love the voyager go bible and I would give the second to a sweet mom of two who has to drive one of her kids to all kinds of dr and therapy apts with no CD player in the car!
Thank you Renee for this devotion today. I am really new to your site and actually really new to opening my heart and mind to God. I have enjoyed your devotions everyday for the last couple of months, so thank you!!!! This one today really touched me though because I seem to feel this way every day and always wonder why I can't be a better mom. I have 2 boys, 8 and 5 and feel like I have no control most of the time. I think I was a much better mom with just 1 child but when my second arrived it was a totally different story!!!! I have a girlfriend that has 3 boys and we often wonder what God was thinking when he BLESSED us with our boys. We both try to look to Him for guidance and encouragement but I think sometimes we forget to open our hearts and minds to what he is really trying to tell us! Thank you for being so REAL in your words. Melanie
Thanks for this wonderful devotion Renee! I would love to be entered to win your gift packs. I would share my second gift pack with my dear friend Jacque, who is on the go a lot and I'm sure she'd love using the go Bible when she walks. I'd love the voyager go Bible. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.
Renee – thank you so much for your thoughts today! I am a grandma – my 3 daughers have given me 7 grandchildren ranging from 11yrs to 5 months. My 2 youngest daughters have the toddlers and are feeling what you felt and what I felt when I was that age. They would so benefit from your gift. Just last week one called me at 11:00 at night in tears because she felt she was a failure with her 3 year old. They are so open to God's will in there lives as mothers and wives but the daily stess of knowing what to do to bless their children is a struggle. I would say the small gobible would be their choice so they could easily listen while exercising and walking.
you have always been a blessing to me and I am always passing your devotions on to my girls and friends.
Becky I of ohio
Thank you for this devotion. Exactly what I needed to hear today. I would like the GoBible Voyager. What a great tool! Thanks again for your encouraging words today.
Oops- Barb is : [email protected]
OOps forgot to add that I would give the other one to my sister mom of my beautiful 4 year old niece, she would love it.
Thank you for the transparency into your struggles. As a Mom of 4 children, ranging from a 10 year old tween girl to a 6 month old boy, I can say that I have fallen to my knees many times crying out that I cannot do this!!
He has filled me with such grace, joy, love, patience and rest as I continue to seek Him. I would love the GoBible Voyager because I am always on the go! I would give the other one to my sister who is just coming into a relationship with the LORD. Thank you!
[email protected]
I so needed to hear this devotion today! While not ready to quit, I've certainly been feeling stagnant and inadequate as a mom, lately. If I won I'd like the GoBible Voyager and I'd give the other copy to my neighbor who is a stay at home mom of two, that doesn't have access to many resources! Thanks!
Jennifer
The Voyager, what an amazing idea the GOBible! Love it!!
I am so excited to share your message w/ my 2 young mom daughters(1 is my daughter in law)! They so need to see your golden nugget idea & see how your pink slip turned into YOUR GOLDEN ticket- a surrender slip to God!
I really needed your devotion today! I have been feeling like such a failure as a mother lately and am so overwhelmed that I just want to stop everything because I don't know where to begin! You gave me hope that it doesn't have to be that way if I ask for God's help. That is the first thing I'm going to do today! 🙂
On a side note, I'd love the voyager go-bible and would give the second pack to my Mom, who is a great encouragement to me and inspiration.
[email protected]
Thank you so much for this devotional. I had my "i quit" moment this morning with my 3 children ages 6, 5, and 2 1/2 , and then opened up my email to find this devotional waiting for me. Thank you Lord! 🙂
If chosen i would love the GOBIBLE Voyager. (Honestly they all look awesome! ) I would send the second one to my college friend Meredith who lives in another town, but has been such an encouragement in raising Godly children and putting the Lord first in everything. Most importantly capturing our children's hearts for the Lord.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, insights, and struggles as a mom.
[email protected]
Thanks! Morgan
The Lord is so wonderful and amazing. Not ONE HOUR ago I proclaimed to my 3 children (that I homeschool) that "I quit". Once again, our morning had been started off with squabbles, fights and tears. I had had it!!
Wouldn't you know that your devotion was the one in my inbox soon after. Love the timing! Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I have two wonderful teenage daughters that I love dearly, but on so many occasions feel like I don't measure up when interacting with them. Sunday evening was an especially difficult time that when it was all over everyone was in tears. Many regrets over the way I discipline and express my needs/wants for them. If I were so blessed to be selected, I would love to have the GoBible Voyager to help me with my mothering and life journey. I would give the 2nd one to my dear sister who is severly strugging with drug and alcohol dependency. While she has been in rehab, her poor tween daughters are feeling abandoned, lost and rebellious. I pray something like this bible would provide hope, guidance and peace for her recovey and that of her children. May God Bless you for providing such inspiration to all of the struggling moms out there! Happy Mother's Day to you!
Thank you so much for your word today. I needed that. I struggle the most with my 16-year-old daughter. We have the classic mother/daughter issue. She thinks she knows everything. I know she doesn't! But I've been praying that I have patience to wait out these years. I hear on the other side can be a wonderful mother/daughter relationship. Just hoping I don't kill her before then 🙂
I would love to have the GoBible Voyager. I travel quite a bit and it would get me through the times when the traveling becomes so weary mostly because I'm away from my husband and children. I would give the second one to my best girlfriend (I didn't say best friend because my husband is my best friend). She, too, struggles with motherhood. Her son is a freshman in college. It's hard for her to let him go but also still be around for when he needs his mommy. Together she and I pray about being better mothers. We pray about relying on God and not giving into our worries. She's my prayer partner and sister in this battle to become good Christian mothers.
[email protected]
Just what I needed today! Mother of two under three and ready for number three to arrive any day…thinking I don't have the strength to do any of this on my own! And how often have I been in that situation comparing the others "outside" to my "inside". Would enjoy the GoBible Voyager. Would love to give other package to a friend who is facing difficult circumstance in own life and also has three on her own. Thanks for the encouragement!
No matter my prayer this morning or my defeat for the day, your blog is exactly waht I need that day. Thank you for letting God speak through you.
Vanessa
I so remember those days. Our kids are now grown & have little ones of their own. I think I would give both of the GoBibles Voyager away. One to our neice who's 26 & just found out she's loosing her eye sight. It's hereditary but she has it worse than other family members. The 2nd one I'd give to my friend Kandy that has gotten away from our church. Thanks again for the chance to reach others. Peg J. R.
I was so touched by today's devotional! I have been at that exact place in my parenting years and have cried because I knew I couldn't quit. I had a very attached nursing baby who didn't sleep for more than 3 hours for an entire year and also a 2 year old. God has recently told me that I can't Be a great mom in my own strength but through Him. This was such confirmation to me! Thank you! I would love To win a voyeger go bible for myself and an original I would give to my accountability partner and best friend who is a mom in the exact same season as me. Thank you for your ministry!!
I recently discovered Proverbs 31 and love it! My life has been turned upside down over the past year and everything I thought was stable and perfect was really very unstable and imperfect! I am so blessed to have two boys. Sammy 3 and Bobby 13 months! They are my life, but I sometimes feel like I am not good at being a mother! I am at times feel like I do not give them enough of myself. I don't want to let them down and I pray that they will find Jesus early and live their lives in his name. I want to teach them this and show them the peace he brings! Through this past year my eyes have been opened and I now know I AM NOT IN CONTROL of anything! I really appreciate the encouragement! I recently started working with underpriviledged and troubled children in our local school. This has really opened my eyes and I love my job. However, it limits my time for other obligations and necessary tasks. I feel I would benefit from the GOBIBLE in many ways. I enjoy learning and studying my Bible and need to work more into my schedule. I could listen to this as I ride the bus to school or on my way home. It would be very beneficial for me! I would give the other to my sister. She is also raising two boys and works long hours. She has an interest in Bible studies but often is not able to attend.
Thank you. I really needed your encouragement today. I am a 49 year old mother of 2 young kids ages 6 & 9 and sometimes I feel overwhelmed. I would love the NIV version of the Voyager GoBible and I would give the 2nd pack to my younger sister who has 2 boys ages 2 & 4. Her husband has been out of work for 2 years and has been attending college full-time, while she is working full-time. They really struggle to make ends meets financially and emotional their are still dealing with loss of their little girl who was still-born in September 2010. If I win, my email address is: [email protected]
I'd pick the Original GoBible. I'd give the second one to my best friend, a very busy pastor's wife & mom.
Renee, thanks so much for the amazing giveaway. I would enjoy the Voyager bible. I would give the second bible to a dear friend Amy that is starting on her voyage of motherhood.
Thank you so much for the devotion today. My children are all grown and I sure could have used this perspective in the midst of raising them! If I win, I'd love to have the Voyager Go Bible and I would give both gift packs to my 2 daughters that are raisng my precious grandchildren.
Becky
[email protected]
What a wonderful message today. I remember when my twins were still in their little carrier seats and often did I just sit in the floor beside them crying wondering how I could possibly take care of 2 crying babies. Now that they are older…and fighting…I'm wondering how I can possibly get them to get along. Your message was just what I needed to hear today. Thanks! I'd love the goBible Voyager and I would give the other one to a dear friend who is battling cancer right now with 2 small children and believing her miracle is coming.
This devotional really touched my heart and was a huge encouragement to me this morning. I feel like I can apply it not only to my life as a "mom", but also other areas where I am struggling with feeling like I don't measure up. Thank you!
I'd love any of the GoBible products, but the Voyager would probably be my first choice. It would be wonderful to give the second one to my sister. She has two toddlers that keep her so busy. The oldest one was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when she was 3 and also has some severe food allergies. Anything that would make her life a little easier would be so appreciated. 🙂
This devotional really touched my heart and was a huge encouragement to me this morning. I feel like I can apply it not only to my life as a "mom", but also other areas where I am struggling with feeling like I don't measure up. Thank you!
I'd love any of the GoBible products, but the Voyager would probably be my first choice. It would be wonderful to give the second one to my sister. She has two toddlers that keep her so busy. The oldest one was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when she was 3 and also has some severe food allergies. Anything that would make her life a little easier would be so appreciated. 🙂
This devotion was exactly what I needed to read today. I am a mom of 3 boys soon to be turning 7, 9 and 11. I LOVE being a mom but the constant bickering and arguing b/t my boys drives me out of my mind crazy. I love your idea of the "gold nuggets" and will be implementing that into our lives. Something has got to change and I know it needs to be me first. I've been doing it in my strength and it needs to be done in His. I would love the Go Bible Voyager and have several friends I can think of to give the 2nd one too but would pray about which one to give it to if I won. Thanks!
Jenny F.
[email protected]
Renee,
I had never heard of a GoBible until your blog. How cool! If I had one, I’d pick the Voyager and would use it while waiting in school carpool line, while waiting for my daughter during her gymnastic class, when I’m in the moment and want to cry “I quit”, etc, etc, etc. I would give the 2nd one to a grandfather I know who is raising his granddaughter. He’s a new Christian who is committed to reading God’s Word every day. It would be such an encouragement for him as he learns to parent with God’s guidance and wisdom as God teaches him in His Word every day.
Thank you for you blog.
[email protected]
Renee, Thank you so much for your words today. What an encouragement to my heart as a mother and grandmother. I want to pass the message on to my daughter and daughter-n-law of always striving for the goal of their children being able to see "Jesus in them."
I wish I would have had the tools of your messages and the GoBible when my children were younger. A whole new world has opened up to me now that I have a precious grandson and a second chance to share my love of Jesus! I would share both gift packs, one to my precious daughter who has Turners Syndrome and is trying to adopt a child because she cannot have children, and the second with my daughter in law, the mother of my grandson. I would choose the GoBible Voyager for them.
Blessings to you.
Renee, Your devotion hit home with me today, everyday for that matter!! I am a mom of 5 boys,ages 14, 11, 6, 4 and 2 years old. I never knew the middle child syndrome was a real thing, until now….my 6 year old tries me daily, so that many days I wonder if I am going to make it till they are all grown up without going crazy. I have a hard time finding quiet time to focus, so I would love to have a GoBible Voyager. I have a friend at church that is pregnant with her sixth girl, so I would definitely give the 2nd one to her! Thanks!
Renee, what an answer to prayer you are for many women. My children aren't that young anymore, my oldest is 19 and youngest is 14. However I believe the concepts work all the same. Being the parents of teens I believe is just as hard. They know the difference between right and wrong and yet still choose to do what in most cases is ungodly, and worldly regardless.
I would like the voyager (KJV), and I would like to give the second one to my very good friend, and sister in Christ, Hannah Watson. She has 3 of the most amazing boys (5, 3, 1). I get the previlege of taking care of 2 days a week. These boys have helped fill the void of wanting another baby. Hannah has been very gracious at sharing them with me, and I love her dearly for that.
Thanks Renee for all you do and in listening to God in his leading in your life.
Heather