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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If I win I would like to give the second gift pack to my sister in law. She has an autistic son who, like all children, is wonderful and challenging all at once. I know she would love the original Go Bible. My email is [email protected]
I would LOVE the original GoBible because it has all the features I need or would use as a busy mom. If I won, I'd give the duplicate to one of two people (I'd have to pray about it more if I won) either a girlfriend of my mine who believes in a higher power but hasn't decided yet what that higher power is or my sister who has had a challenging time giving into her need for a closer relationship with God because she thinks Christians are a one size fits all & have to be people who "push" the word on others. I think either busy mom would get a lot out of a product like this!
I love God's timing. It is like you were writing directly to my heart today Renee. I subscribe to two devotionals and they were both on the exact same topic today. Do you think God is saying something to me? :0D Thank you so much for being vulnerable and sharing your struggles and victories. It gives so many others hope!
If I were to win, I would love the NIV version of the Voyager. The second set would go to my dear friend DeLeslie. She has two little girls and is 5 months pregnant with a little boy. Her husband just deployed to Iraq for a year – so I would love to be able to bless her with some timely encouragement for this season in her life. Blessings!!! Teresa G
As I read your devotion today I remembered those early years of being a Mom and the "I wanna quit" moments I had. My girls are teenagers now and those feelings still surface as I guide them to becoming independent young women. As a single Mom, God has been been my strength and my courage when we faced misunderstandings and those "brokenhearted" days that young girls endure. I know He will continue to help me be the Mom he desires for me to be. I would so enjoy the Voyager and I would share the 2nd one with my Pastor's wife. It would be so helpful to her when she is out and about and wants to share with people.
I find such encouragement in your writings and look forward to reading more.
All I could do was read and cry. Thank you so much. I feel so overwhelmed and today is certainly one of the days I would love to throw my hands up and walk away. I would enjoy the GoBible Voyager and I would give the second one to my sister-in-law who is my best friend. She could certainly use it. My email address is [email protected]. Thank you.
This was such an amazing devotional. With all that went on in my house this morning, getting ready for school – it was just what I needed to build myself back up and make it through the day. Thank you so very much. My Bible goes with me everywhere I go. But the Voyager Bible is amazing and would be the one I pick. Keep the devotions coming – they really help!!!
The voyager looks ideal. Great devotional. Though my kiddos are 11 & 13 there are still times I wonder what I've done wrong. I do recall being frustrated much of the time when they were toddlers. I'm also posting this giveaway link on my blog in hopes that one of my readers will be blessed by the devotional and/or win the giveaway! Thanks!
Thank you for the devotion on motherhood. I am the mother to five precious girls but some days those inadequate feelings pop up. Everyone sees me as the mother of all moms but I too have bad days. If I had the gobble I would like the original one. I would give the second one to a dear friend who is a single mom of two boys. She struggles with depression n feelings of being inadequate quite often. I think a gobible could be a great gift n encouragement for her.
As I type this I have tears streaming down my face. I promised to myself and God last night before I fell asleep that I would show grace to my kids today and stop yelling; and yet I have only been up for 20 minutes and have already lost my cool. I woke up this morning to my 3.5 year old twin boys demanding milk, cereal, their tv show. As I came to conciousness with these "orders" being barked in my ear I felt my irritation level growing and growing until it burst forth with me yelling at them. And I start another day feeling like such a failure as a Mom and Christian. And then I read this devotion that just cuts right to my heart.
If I won I would choose the GoBible Voyageur. I would give the second pack to the only other woman in my church who has young children.
Robin
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I loved your devotion today as I have felt that same way many times! I lost my husband when my children were 3 and 5 and there were many days when I wanted to throw in the towel! Thank goodness I never did and my children have grown into wonderful teenagers (although sometimes I still want to trade them in!). I'd love to have at GoBible Voyager, and I would give the other to a good friend of mine who is just starting out in "mommyhood" with 2 toddlers and a full time job, she's certainly got her hands full and I'm sure she has the same kind of day you spoke of in your devotion at one time or another. Thank you for your wonderful insight!
Thanks Renee for this devotion. Just recently I told my husband I wanted to run away and how I can relate to those women that do. My daughters are 11 and 6 my son is 25; talk about drama. My heart breaks for my oldest daughter as she is troubled by mean girls at school and she is such a sweet spirit. Sibling squabbles, dirty laundry, a wayward 25 year old and just promoted working hard husband. Man o Man. If I won the GoBible voyager I would share it with a friend who is not saved. She is a single mom and goes as much as me. What a blessing your devotions bring. Thanks a bunch and Gods blessings to you and Proverbs 31 crew!! Melanie McKinley [email protected]
Thanks for sharing this…I think we all struggle with being a mom and a wife too! I homeschool my children and there are days when I really want to throw in the towel…it's usually because of my bad attitude unfortunately! I would love to win this giveaway to help me in my journey. Thanks again. Tammy P. I will friend you on facebook.
Renee, thank you so much for your devotion today. As a work-away-from-home mom of a 3 month old and a 23-month old (will be 2 in June)-and stepmom to a 5 and 11 year old-, I have felt like giving up on more than one occasion recently. I went back to work in April after a 2 month maternity leave and trying to balance everything that everyone needs from me has been very hard. On top of that my almost 2-year old hit the "terrible 2s" very early and it has been such a challenge to figure out how to discipline and correct/teach him.
I feel guilty for not having enough time for my husband, and especially for my little ones.
I would love the voyager GoBible and would share the other with my friend Sara who is a stay-at-home mom to 3 great kids!
I would choose the voyager for myself b/c I am always stopping to look stuff up or cross reference. I'd choose the same for a good friend who is a first time mommy who is always on the go.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and encouraging mothers. We need it!
Thanks for the timely devotion. It came at a time that I'm questioning my effectiveness as a mom and needed a reminder that I need to rely on God. I'd love the voyager GoBible. I'd give the second to a lady in our church who is a single mom.
Renea
I love your post today. It is exactly how I feel many days. I think I would like the GoBible Voyager because I like the text on the screen and I am a visual learner. I would give the give one to a great friend of mine who struggles daily with the challenges of motherhood. I am thankful that God has put us in each other's lives to lift up and support one another. I am excited to see a great tool like this! I had not heard of it before I read your post. Thanks so much!
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Hey girl! What a great giveaway.
Even better is the devo and the post. I still struggle with this alot… especially because I war with my stinkin flesh so much. Thank you for the reminder of the promises in God's word.
I'll defer to you on which one. I'm an NAS person, so I guess KJV would be best. And I would share with my aunt who has cancer and going through radiation and chemo.
I really appreciate your words in this topic of comparing ourselves to others and just learning to let us give it (our lives, troubles, worries, etc.) to God.
I feel we need to stop judging ourselves and others and support one another.
I have a friend, Cathie, I would give the second set to because this is an area (comparing and trying to do ALL herself) she struggles with. She is such a strong woman and mom of 4, but lacks confidence in herself. She has made it through so much, I admire her will and grace.
I would be happy and grateful with either bible. Thank you,
Michele
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This was a great devotional and perfectly timed for my life right now. Thank you! I would really enjoy the GoBible Voyager and would pass the second one to my dear friend Barbara who has been with me, encouraging me when I needed it most these past several years.
Great devotion today! I would I would really enjoy the GoBible Voyager. I would give the second to a dear friend who is a single mom. God brought her two lovelies through the miracle of adoption, fulfilling unexpectedly her hearts desire to be a mama. Hers is a truly beautiful story! She is such a role model to me of godly attitude and purposeful living…but I know that she could use a little encouragement!
Thank you for your words of wisdom! Shelly
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