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.
The Voyager!!! I will share mine with my friend Amy! [email protected]
You have no idea what an encouragment your devotion was for me today. As a single mom to 3 kids…I sometimes just want to give up. Life can be overwhelming trying to fit everything into one day but you have given me a new way to look at things, the heart not just the attitudes. I would be pleased to win any of the GoBible. I would give the second one to my dearest friend who also struggles at times.
I would love the GoBible Voyager and would share the second one with my daughter who is a pastor's wife and mother of three lively children!! Awesome stuff, thanks Renee!!
I cannot begin to describe to you how your words have saved me today. I am at the end of my rope. I have a son with numerous psychological problems, including Aspergers. A daughter who is beginning to show signs of depression because of all my son has put us through. I try so hard to be a good mother and wife, but I fail every time. I am so stressed I can't even concentrate when I pray. I feel so disconnected from everyone, from everything, and even from my relationship with God because I am pulled in so many directions I just can't focus. My head is a blur. If I won your prize pack I would probably not have time to enjoy it so my prayer is that whoever wins it will spiritually benefit from it. I am not the type of person who wins contests, so I am not leaving my name, but I will ask that you and your readers please put me on your prayer list and I am going to fight to get out of this depression and be the mom my children need me to be.
I love this information and ways to bring yourself closer to the Lord as we stumble through this earthly existence. I wish I had this when I was raising my children!! Instead I will make this information available to the young women in our church who share the daily struggles of raising Godly children and maintaining balance. Thank you so much!!
In awe of God's perfect timing. This was just what I needed to hear after last evening I said, "I need a long vacation" to my husband after an evening of temper tantrums. Love the Carnegie quote. I would love the GoBible Voyager. The second I would give to my dear friend who at 9:00 last night, I stopped by to encourage her as she waits to get some lab test results and of course, she ended up encouraging me. Thankful for the friendship we share and that no matter what we are there for each other. Thank you for the great devotion and allowing God to work through you. Mandy
[email protected]
The devotion from Proverbs 31 came at the right time. Go God!!! I am feeling like a failure as a mom right now. Thanks for the encouragement.
I would enjoy the GoBible Voyager in the NIV version.
I would like to have an extra to give to one of my best friends who is unchurched. She too is a mom of two young children.
Angie G.
I think I was supposed to leave an email address, sorry about that.
Karina: [email protected]
God Bless!
Thanks for the encouragement. I would love the go Bible Voyager (NIV translation), and I'd give my friend and former neighbor (the BEST neighbor EVER) even though we live in different states now, Beth! Thank you again for your great ideas and encouraging words! [email protected]
What a blessing to be encouraged as a future mom. I now know I would not be alone on that journey with God by my side, so thank you for sharing your experience with us all. I have an amazing sister who could benefit from the GoBible Voyager. This one seems to have it all and my sister with her busy schedule would easily plan her day. With so many poeple struggling these days, if I were to win, I would not hesitate giving it away to someone at my church, unless you know of someone who is in need of it. I'l have a bible soon, my journey is just beginnning. The GoBible Voyager for my beautiful sister and the second for someone who truly is in need for it.
Karina
Not knowingly quit being a mommy 7 years ago when as a single overwhelmed mom of 4 married thinking this was the answer me and my children needed. Now I'm more miserable and want to quit being a wife. Too much quiting to live with! I'm encouraged by Proverbs31. I would like the GoBible Voyager, and would give the other one to a young single mom of 4 with alot of the same struggles I saw in my self at that age. <2
Thanks for the great devotional. I would love any of the GoBibles and I would share the other one with my daughter, Brianna.
Thanks again.
Debbie
[email protected]
I forwarded your Proverbs 31 post to the women in my small group, and bunch of younger mommies I know. I know the younger women are dealing with the frustrations and physical exhaustion of little ones, while us "slightly" older moms are dealing with the heartache and stress that comes when our precious babes hit age 12. 🙂 Even if I thought I had some things figured out when they were younger, I realize now that I HAVE to turn them over to God. I just can't do it! The GoBible Original looks great. I can think of several women I would give the 2nd pack to, so I'd have to pray about which one to choose. It would either be one of these moms just starting out, or to one of the discouraged moms of a teen.
It amazes me as to how the devotion for the day totally is where I am right now…today…yesterday…and the day before that. I am a mom to 7 children ages 16 down to 19 months and love being a mom…but struggle everyday to keep it all together due to my struggle with depression. I many days feel like a failure…but continue to put on a happy face so nobody knows what I REALLY feel inside. Thank you for this post…I would love either bible…anything right now would be a blessing for me. I would give the 2nd copy to a friend of mine who has 8 children and homeschools them all and goes without so many times to provide for everyone else.
I needed that today! Thank you for sharing. I think I would enjoy the Voyager because I could download other things such as sermons and praise music. It would be neat to have it all there together. The second one would go to my sister who is a mother of 2 girls who are 22 months apart. They are on the go a lot and I know she could use it.
Melissa E
[email protected]
New to your blog and I was greatly inspired by todays devotional. I am a single parent of 3 little boys (ages 10, 5, and 3). I lately have been feeling very overwhelmed by trying to be both Mom and Dad to my kids and being their spiritual example. Your devotional reminded me to give it to God b/c he is the BEST Father to both me and my kids. If I win i would love the GoBible Voyager.
[email protected]
This is so timely. It's been a little rough lately being Mom. I'd like the GoBible Original and I would share with a sweet friend who has been my mommy sounding board for many years but due to job changes we don't see each other near often enought. Thanks!
Please enter me in the give away! Would love to give one to my daughter who is a 25 year old single mom. I have received such a blessing from the daily devotionals. God's timing always amazes me because it always seems to be just what I need just when I needed it. Thank you and God bless.
Jamie E.
oops – forgot my email address:
Ginny at [email protected]
In January 1993 I was at my breaking point of motherhood while being on maternity leave with my third child. Long story short through the help a women's ministry, "Mom's Together", I saw how blessed I was with these beautiful children and that I needed to change my Super Mom/Martha Stewart lifestyle. I am so thankful for the support I received from other Christian moms during that crazy season of my life. I would be excited to either the original or voyager – I had never heard of GoBible until this morning…what a great Mother's Day gift. I do have a sister-in-law who is in the middle of the Crazy Season of her life..homeschooling four grade school children and just moved to a new community. I know she could use as much encouragement as possible right now during this transition. Thanks for the great devotional today!
God's timing is great, as my sister and I have been struggling with similar issues in parenting this week so I forwarded your blog to her too (since she's out of state from me we don't always get to chat when we want to). I would share the gift with her for sure! I'd LOVE the GoBible Voyager, and sure hope we win 🙂
This morning, after having a complete meltdown with my 4 and 6 year old daughters, i broke away to read my P31 devotional. I was speechless. I have felt like my Joy for my children has benn stolen from me and the guilt from that alone had me overwhelmed. As I began to read, tears began to stream down my face. I was at a very low point in my mother journey, and God used a complete stranger to lift me up out of a pit. What an awesome God we serve, and what an amazing woman you are to allow him to use you in such great ways! Thanks so much for the encouragement, and thanks for being my angel today!
I think I would enjoy the GoBible Voyager NIV. I would share the other one, with my best friend. She is in the midst of the preteen season of motherhood which has a whole new set of challenges!
Thanks again for your words of encouragement and wisdom!
I can't thank God enough for you today! I hope that this changes my life… You are a blessing!
I would love to win the voyager and share with my friend who is in the same place I am.
Sending much love your way!
Shawna
[email protected]
I can't thank God enough for you today! I hope that this changes my life… You are a blessing!
I would love to win the voyager and share with my friend who is in the same place I am.
Sending much love your way!
Shawna
[email protected]
Thanks you so much for the devo trough Proverbs 31 today, as well as your blog. I am a mom of a 12, 9 and 9 mo old. Our baby has been such a blessing but has brought so many new and challenging dynamics to our family. I struggle with giving each child what they need. I was encouraged by todays post.I would be grateful with any Bible you gave me. I would give the second to my sweet friend Valerie who has a similar family dynamic to mine. Tammy
Renee, thank you so much for your devotions. Wow! I thought I was the only mom with issues. It is so hard to see ourselves as God sees us. I am just so thankful that we don't have to do this without Him. I have three young daughters and two adult sons. God has really been working with me on my "parenting" with my sons. A time of exciting growth for me. God bless you, Renee. I hope that you have an awesome Mother's Day. I would love the GoBible Voyager, and I would share with my wonderful stepmother.
Thanks for the reminder of who we need to rely on! Sometimes I really feel like I need a vacation from my life. I would like the GoBible Voyager, I would share the second with my good friend and coworker.
Great Devotion today, we all have bad days and being a mom of 4 is sometimes challenging but I'm glad we have devotions like yours to get us through those bad days. I would live the voyager and being 1 of 12 children I have plenty of siblings that I could give it to but I think I would chose my sister that has 6 children who also has twins and I know she could definitely use it.
Thank you so much from a frequently overwhelmed Mom of three girls. I'd love the GoBible Voyager, and would share the second one with my sister.
Heidi
Your devotion came at a great time. Yesterday at a staff meeting at church, my littlest one (who isn't at school yet and comes to work with me at the church) decided to come out of his classroom and into the staff meeting, becoming silently distracting, so much, I believe, the head pastor decided to cut the meeting short because he "was distracted." I felt so discouraged and defeated by the enemy. I enjoy going to staff meeting, even though it's not required of me, but it makes me feel important. Being a mom sometimes doesn't make me feel so important. When I left the church after the meeting, Dr. Randy Carlson was talking about moms and what an important job they have in raising their children. This made me realize that I have to put more attention to my children and raise them the way the Lord wants and has created me to do. Then I read your devotion this morning, just confirming what God is whispering in my ear. So, thank you.
I would choose the GoBible Voyager and give the other one to my daughter who is struggling at school with rumors and some bullying issues. I would hope that she could just drown out the sound of the world by listening to her Bible. Thank you.
Thanks for the amazing devotion today! It is so easy for us to put ourselves down and believe the untruths that the enemy would have us believe! This is the first time I had heard of the "gobible" They are pretty cool looking!! That would help in blocking out the untruths being whispered in our ears! lol with our gobibles plugged in going about our day..we would be totally immersed in the word! very cool! I like the little black one, because I am a busy working, dog walking, mom I liked that it looked like I could go about my day with it:) I would share the other package with my best good girl friend, she is also a busy, dog walking, mom and I know she would appreciate it as much as I would 🙂 We are hungry for the word of our Father! Thank you for the opportunity and God Bless
I can't put into words how much I needed this devoitional today. Since stepping into the role of step-parenting full time in 2008 I have really struggled. This mommy stuff is not easy! Thank you for sharing! I would love the Voyager Go-Bible and would gift the other to my best friend.
I want to share the gift with my friend Angel whose extremely abusive ex-husband started harassing her again!
Well I will try this again since I am I not sure it went through the first time. I am so not good with this stuff. I am the mother of 11 adopted special needs children, Whom I adore beyond words. BUT today your devotion hit me hard and I am so thankful for it. You gave me exactly what I needed and what I had just been asking the Lord to help me with. I would love to win the GoBible Voyager, Since I home school my children and we are pretty much together 24/7 , Some days it is hard for me to just find time to sit down with the Lord but what a joy it it would be to be able to listen to his word while I am cooking or cleaning.
I would share the second with my neighbor who is also the mother of adopted children only she has 33! of course only 9 are left at home but I know that she would really enjoy this too. Thank you again! God bless Rise" Wampler
God gives us what we need!! It was just a week ago that as a wife and mommy, I wanted to turn in my pink slip. I simply felt like I was suffocating under the stress and pressure of the responsibilities. I literally went into the store room, hid in a corner and cried. I told God that I was being crushed under the pressure and I simply could not do it anymore and I asked for help. I was led that day to pull out my PDL cd and I have listened as I travel to and from work. As I consider my reflection question each day, I have found that the answer has immediately followed. Either in a song or the Proverbs 31devotion. As if God was speaking directly to me. Throughout the week I have thought that it would be nice to have a way to listen to the Bible verses referenced in my cd or devotions as I traveled as well. I didn’t even know that was possible. Then today I learned about the GoBible from you. I would LOVE to have a GoBible Voyager. That way I could load my cd or devotion and have my Bible all in one place. If I had two, I would give one to my co-worker. She has two children with mental health issues. Her husband works opposite shifts than her and is not supportive of the professional help her children need, so often she struggles with maintaining the relationship with her husband or doing what is right for her children This is the kind of encouragement she needs….
I'd love any of the Go-Bibles. what a great idea. I would give the other pack to my friend Angel. After years of living peacefully since her extremely abusive ex-husband moved on, he came back last month and started threatening her at work. She needs the extra pick-up of this gift.
Thank you for sharing your heart. God's timing is amazing. I am the mother of two beautiful, incredibly strong-willed toddlers. And have found myself on the floor in tears many days. Your encouragement reminds me that God can indeed work mightly in my ability as a mother. I was planning to say I'd shared this with my friend who a mother of 3 small children but I was so touched by many that shared in response to this devotion, that really I just want to say thank you!
j
[email protected]
I always find it funny that God always finds a way to smack you in the face when you need it the most. I am a mom of a crazy wild 2 year old boy, my husband and I own 5 Physical Therapy offices that we pretty much run by ourselves, I coach Middle school soccer in the afternoons and pre school soccer in the mornings-on top of all my mom and wife duties. I have been having one of those weeks where I am on the edge and want to just run away and "Quit". I received this devo from another mom in my Womens group via email and it brought me to tears sitting in my car waiting to go coach soccer to 10 2 year olds. I have been feeling like I have no clue how to make all this work, and that I have not been full filling my end of the bargain on anything in my life…your words and story made me realize that I am not alone, and that I need God's help to become the mom and person I want to be. I would love the GoBible original and I would give the other one to my best friend who is about to have a 7 yr old, a 2 year old and a new one due in Oct. She is just as busy as I am and sometimes friends need to remind friends that they are not alone and that there is "gold in the mine". Thank you!
Thank you so much for this latest devotion. I truly needed it. As the mom of 11 adopted special needs children I sometimes get so depressed and so down that I am not doing the job that the Lord called me to do. BUT This helped me to see through my pity party. God is so good. I would so enjoy the GoBible Voyager, I think that I would be able to finally find time during the day when we are homeschooling to listen stay close to the Lord and his word. I would share the second pack with my neighbor who is also the mom of adopted children only she has 30 her home is down to only 9 now but I know that she would so enjoy this too. I pray the Lord give you a truly blessed day. Rise" Wampler
I loved this devotion today. It seemed to hit the nail right on the head for me, even though I only have one 2-year-old boy. I'm in nursing school and have a part-time job, plus I'm a single mom. There are a lot of days that I want to say, "I quit." If I were to win this giveaway, I would want the GoBible Voyager. I would give the other pack to my mom, who has played such a vital role in my ability to manage my life as a single mom. I don't even know how many times she has watched my son so that I could study for school, go to clinicals or even just go to work. I'm young, only 22, so I look to her and strive to be like her in my approach as a mother.
You hit the nail on the head! Thank you so much for sharing…it is good to hear that you aren't the only one that struggles with being a momma too. Yes – I know we all struggle whether we show it or not…but to hear from another is encouraging to not feel alone. Being in God's word is the one way to keep on top of things…and I always feel out of sync when I'm not in his word.
As for the GoBible…i like the voyager. I could see many benfiting from one of these…but I think I would share the other with my cousin who is struggling with caring for her 4 kids and her youngest struggling with an unknown tumor. He has been the hospital so much….and she is so discouraged…this could be the perfect things for her in the many trips to the hospital, etc.
[email protected]
thanks again for your encouragement
Thanks so much for your story! I am very blessed with a wonderful five year old boy, who has never given me an ounce of trouble, however, I know things often change as children grow and mature so I am open to all of the help I can get ahead of time :). I would give the other copy to my sister-in-law who does have a troublesome five year old. They recently were transferred and I am sure this is only going to lead to more discord as he is very routine oriented! Thanks and I hope you have a blessed day! If I am chosen, Iwould like the GoBible original!
Even though my children are grown, I still feel like "quiting" sometimes. I would like the original GoBible and would also give one to my daughter who has two small children (3 & 5)and is a single mom right now. Thank you for all the enouragement that P31 provides.
I have been blessed tremendously though your devotions, and am looking forward to your (entire) book!
If I had to choose which GoBible I would like, of course it would be the Voyager, but I would be tickled with any of the three! (I have no MP3 or Ipod….would have to have my teenager teach me how to use it!)I would share the second one with my young adult daughter, because it would just give me a peace to know she would have the Word with her everywhere she goes!
"Count it all joy"
Nancy
I'd love the traveler or voyager – great for when I'm on my cycle to work. I'd give the second to a friend who finds it hard to settle down to reading and is struggling a little with church at the moment, trying to keep in touch and grow with God.
I have been blessed tremendously though your devotions, and am looking forward to your (entire) book!
If I had to choose which GoBible I would like, of course it would be the Voyager, but I would be tickled with any of the three! (I have no MP3 or Ipod….would have to have my teenager teach me how to use it!)I would share the second one with my young adult daughter, because it would just give me a peace to know she would have the Word with her everywhere she goes!
"Count it all joy"
Nancy
Great post Renee!! So much encouragement.
If I won, I would give it away to either a sweet sister who just went from being a weekend mom (she worked forty hours a week so only saw her kids an hour or two before bedtime) to being a full time stay at home mom. She is struggling to find her place and figure out full time motherhood. Or to a young girl in our church. She is 18 and will graduate next week. She just found out she was pregnant. She will need a ton of encouragement and prayers. Maybe I would just give both copies away to these ladies. I know it would be a blessing to them.
Thank you so much for your devotion today. I too have met God in that place of "quitness" 🙂 but He dragged me out of that pit with His love that He showed me through His word! Where would we be without His word. I can't believe the products you are offering. I don't actually need one but I would love for my sister in law to have one as I think she could listen to it in the car. I just want God to heal her like he did me and I know that reading His word is where she is going to find that. I want her to know how precious she is to Him, faults and all. thanks, Jeana [email protected]
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement as a mom of 5 (ages 5 – 16)I have often seen myself out my kitchen window running down the road away from the craziness and stressfulness of momhood. I know those gold nuggets exist, I have seen them! I had no idea that the GOBible device even existed what an awesome tool to use on my morning walks! I would share one with my good friend Pam, a fellow mom who, like most, needs daily encouragement to keep digging for those gold nuggets!
Wow, I am right there! God's timing is so perfect. I have wanted to quit for a while now. I cry every day, I pray, but don't seem to find any relief. I love the idea of writing a letter to God, something tangible.
If I am chosen to receive your awesome gift pack I would like the GoBible Voyager in NIV. and I have a perfect friend to whom I would gift the other. My Friend Rachael has been through an abusive marriage that eventually led to divorce (for her protection and that of her children). She has asked me to be a prayer worrier for her and I believe this gift package will help with exactly that.
Thank you for your ministry.
May God continue to use you to help us.
[email protected]