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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Renee,
That was a very timely word. I have often felt how you feel. I'd like the GoBible Voyager because it would help me get into the Word more but mostly because I could share the 2nd one with my mother (who is blind) and that would give her the opportunity to hear the Word of God and navigate it by herself. The fact that it has a rechargeable battery and easy navigation would open a door for her that has been closed all of her life.
I would really enjoy the Go Bible Voyager. I homeschool my children and this would be a most awesome tool. I would give the second one to one of my best friends who has three children and who practically lives out of her car because they lived such an action packed life. Thank you so much for the encouraging words today. Being a mom is so tuff and I begin my day with a devotion from one you Proverbs 31 sisters each morning. Each of you is a blessing to me!
Thank you for the encouraging words. I would give both of the GoBibles away to my daughter and son-in-love. They are church planters who live busy lives across the country from our home. Both are also trying to bring their temples into submission by training for 1/2 and full marathons. This would give them much encouragement on those days when it all seems too much. They have true hearts for the Lord and are following Him in faith and obedience. I would be thankful and appreciative for any of the GoBibles.
Hi Ranee,
I am a great grand mother to 7 beautiful children. I could have used this devotion when I was a young mom struggling to keep going with 5 little ones, a house to run, meals to prepare, etc. I'm sure you know what I mean.I was always sure I was not quite up to the job abd wasn't good enough. I do not want my grand children to feel this way while raising their children. I would love to have the GoBible Voyager for myself to continue and enrich my daily walk with God. The second one would go to one of my young grand daughters who is struggling with the demands of work and a little one. Thank you for your insight. We do tend to try to go it alone, don't we? Thanks again.
Erma
Thanks for the encouragement today, I think this might be one that gets hung on my wall of "You can do it, girl!" reminders. 🙂 We all need it along the way, and God's timing is impeccable.
I'd be happy with any of the GoBibles. It seems it would be such an easy way to get those spiritual reminders during a long commute, cleaning the house, wherever!
I'd give the second to my best friend, an amazing mom of 8 who on the outside is one of the women we all compare ourselves to that seems to have it all together and then some, but I know she has days too where she wants to turn in her pink slip. I'd love to be able to give her something to show her just how amazing I think she is!
Wow God truly knows what we need to hear and his timing is never an accident. I am a blessed mother of 2 and my wonderful husband is in law enforcement so our schedules are also hectic. I would love the Go Bible Voyager to help improve my daily on the go devotions. The second one I would share with a friend , however after reading other comments I feel so not worthy. Thank you for allowing God to work through you.
Wow.. With 4 boys, 11, 9, 6, & 4, I stay discouraged & this devotional came at the right time.. I'm so blessed by it.. The GoBible Voyager would be awesome.. I would give the second one to a wonderful friend, who has been there for me every single time I needed to be the "crybaby" about my life.. She has 3 kids of her own, works full time & her husband does shift work.. She always put things into perspective and when I am wrong she tells me .. And I love her for that. She always backs up her advice with scripture. Her walk with God has been the best thing in her life and it shows… She is my inspiration. Thank you for always having encouraging devotionals! Proverbs 31 is a blessing!!
Wow, I don't always read the devotions but I opened it up this morning and it's exactly how I've been feeling lately. Sometimes I think how can I continue to go on everyday doing the same thing. I feel like I don't do anything right. I work full-time and I'm exhausted when I get home and my little girl just wants to play and have fun but I'm so tired. She will be 3 in a couple of weeks and she is not speaking really well so that has been a big concern for me. She is also a little delayed physically and that concerns me. I just need to let go and let God do the work. I found out I am pregnant again and I am already asking myself how am I going to do it. I really need encouragement. I would love the book and the GoBible Voyager!
I think I would like the Voyager GoBible and the second one would go to my sister-in-law Debbie. She struggles a lot with things in this life and just can't seem to get and stay rooted in Christ. Please pray for her
Wow I so needed to hear that message today! I have been battling breast cancer and the effects for 2 years now, trying to hold it together for my now 6 and 10 year old boys, and being left by my husband….I do feel like a failure most days! I want to start living life again! I would love to have the voyager and I would give the other one to my best friend who has been by my side from the day I got my diagnosis and is also a mom of 2 whose husband works out of town a lot. Tracey V.
It is so great to know that I am not the only one who has ever felt this way. I love my kids but there are a lot of times I doubt my ability to be a good mother for them because of the choices they make sometimes. Should I win this giveaway I would prefer the Voyager (NIV version) and the second one I would give to my neighbor who is struggling with trying to complete her BA with 2 girls under 4 and is 6 months pregnant. They are in the middle of a move, her husband is in the air force, and many days she finds herself stressed and questioning whether she is doing a good job, or even doing the right thing. She is a great mom and is really trying to raise her children to follow God.
me and my husband were just talking about this last night! he is a stay at home dad, so this is very applicible to even him! this is exactly what we needed to hear. how Perfect is God's timing?!?! we would choose the voyager because with a mom/dad on the go- rechargable batteries are amazing!! i would give the other set to a dear friend of ours
I thank God for your ministry and the way you've touched my heart. I am on a refocusing journey in so many area's of my life. My family's health, finances, and spiritual issues are a huge burden, and only with God's power can I even be at this point.
I would be so blessed to win the GoBible Voyager or the Original and to share it with my dear friend Jan who also has 2 young children. If I were able, I'd buy them right away. They sound like an incredible tool to keep focus. Thanks again for all you are doing.
Rosanne McLellan
Thank you for a great devotion today. Definitely something I struggle with as a mother. I have not heard of the GoBible, but would love to receive one. The second one I would give to my sister who has recently given her life to christ and is a single mother that recently lost her job. I just want her to continue her walk with God and not give up because of her current struggles. Thanks Kristie
I really needed this devotional today. I feel so irritated and frustrated alot with being a mom. I feel like I raise my voice all the time and I see this starting in my 6 year old. I feel like she and I butt heads all the time. I also have a 2year old daughter. I so long to be the mom with never ending patience and endless self-control. I feel so out of control sometimes and don't want to "ruin" my relationships with my girls. I want to have a great relationship with my girls when they become teenagers!!!! I would give the second set to my sister who has 6 children and home schools them all. Her husband is in school to be a minister and works full time also so they don't haver very much money at all. She would never be able to buy it.
Your devotion today brought tears to my eyes knowing that I'm not the only one who struggles with feelings of discouragement & failure while thinking everyone else has it all together. I have 6 children, 4 of whom I home-school, & every day is a challenge. I'm so thankful for His grace! The GoBible original would be wonderful to have, & I'd give the second one to a dear missionary friend in China who has 7 children. Thanks for sharing your struggles & victories! — Terri
Amen you are a blessing and an encouragement.
This was just what i needed to hear today. I would chose the Voyager go bible. I would give the other to a recent friend that im starting a new friendship with. We are both determined to do all we can to be good mothers and wives. Thanks to the wonderful content on your blog we can research. Surrendering your marriage was a great place to start.
Renee that was such a great encouragement for a stay at home mom. If you picked me I would enjoy the GoBible Voyager. I would give the other one to my amazing sister who Loves the Lord and is commited to doing whatever he calls her to do know matte what the cost. She travels a lot and it would be so helpful to her. Thanks again for this generous offer.
Thanks for your words of encouragement. No one can tell you the daily struggles of motherhood until you become a mother. I often tell my friends as a wife and mother you're like the glue that holds the family together but nobody even notices, not that we need constant praise but it would be nice to be thanked occasionally. You are a wonderful lady, I heard you speak in princeton wv last year you were sick and had forgot your suitcase! You made me laugh and touched my heart, thank you 🙂 I would like to win the go bible original and give the other to my mom.
Sammie ~ [email protected]