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, 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
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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.
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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.
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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
I really needed this devotion today from Proverbs 31 and then the continuation of it here on your site…I will be Friending you on Facebook as soon as I leave my comment!
If I won, I would choose the GoBible Original both for myself and my dear friend. We both have 4 year old boys who we love dearly…she also has 16 month old twins (boy and girl) and I have a 15 month old daughter. We are busy Mommies who need Go Bibles!
Thank you for being JUST what I needed this morning!! I had never thought of putting my resignation on pink paper…but I had wondered where I could turn my resignation in!!! 🙂
The Voyager Bible would be a lovely surprise, no matter the version. I would share the 2nd pack with my dear friend Pam. We've been friends for 30 years, and God has been working so strongly in both of our lives. The enemy keeps trying to keep us from meeting and encouraging one another, but God always finds ways for us to grab a quick conversation or an email.
I'm really excited about looking for the gold in my children. We have 5 and they range in age from 5-21! There's a lot of gold there…just need to go looking!!
Blessings,
Kathy Graff
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Thanks for the wonderful message. I'd love the Original Go Bible- sounds like a great way to listen… probably would encourage my children to listen as well. I'd share the second pack with my good friend Sara, who is bravely facing the challenge of being a single mom. – Koe – pahlka at gmail.com
I really needed that devotion this morning! God's timing is always perfect. I would like the Voyager. I would give the 2nd gift pack to my friend Vanessa because she is such a great friend, and we seem to struggle in the same areas.
Jennifer
God's perfect timing! My heart and head have been dealing with this as of late…I would choose the Voyager go Bible..I would share the other with my dear friend Marlana who has the same struggle as I do!
Thank you for your encouraging message today! About a month ago, I actually googled the words "Burnt Out Mom" and looked at the symptoms that so closely matched mine! LOL. I am a Mom of 5 children ages 9-18m old twins. There are times where I feel that this journey as a stay at home Mom is going to do me in… but I know that God has great plans for us Moms. 🙂 I'd love the GoBible Voyager and I'd give the second pack to my best friend! Thanks so much!
I just wanted to say how much this devotional touched me. I feel like this is the story of my life. I have a 9mo. old and another child turning 3 year in June. As much as I love my daughters, there are so many days that I feel like a horrible mother and dislike my life. It is so frustrating to hear others say how much they love being a SAHM when I so often feel differently. Thank you for giving me hope and reminding me to reach out to God for everything!
As a mother of five children (age 7 and under) I can totally relate to your devotions today!!! Thanks so much for all your encouragement for moms:) I think ALL of the GoBibles look great but the Voyager (NIV or Word of Promise) is super cool! It's hard to choose just one friend that I would give the other pack to…I can think of four great "mommy" friends that would love the gift! But I think I would choose my dear friend, Kim. Thanks for both devos and a chance to win!
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Thanks so much for the wonderful devotion today. It was just what I needed. Being a pastor's wife, working a full time job and being a mom of two is sometimes very overwhelming. Especially lately. I would give my second GoBible to a young mother in our church who is struggling to raise two young boys and keep her marriage going. She needs all the encouragement she can get to keep her strong in her relationship with God. I'll take any of them.
How refreshingly honest, real and needed today's devotional was on wanting to throw in the "Mommy" towel! I haven't commented on your blog before but felt compelled to share another level of insecurity I've found satan is all to eager to capitalize on…I'm an adoptive mother who's never given birth to nor carried a child. There are thoughts that, "I am illegitamate, and knowledge, wisdom, special Mommy secrets come via the birth canal." I know this sounds crazy, but it's in the back of my mind. When other mothers like yourself get real and provide a glimpse into their own struggles it provides comfort for the rest of us in knowing we're not alone. Grateful!