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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

Moms Desperate for God

“Don’t doubt in the dark,
what you know to be true in the light.” Anonymous

My friend Glynnis had three little boys within five years. She quickly felt overwhelmed by the role of molding the hearts and managing the behaviors of three very different children! After attending a parenting class her church offered, Glynnis felt hope when she heard stories from other parents. She wanted more classes and encouragement. Since there wasn’t anyone to lead a parenting ministry, Glynnis’ pastors asked her and her husband to help.

Although they didn’t feel qualified, they were willing try anything to get support, even revealing to others that they weren’t perfect parents. When they shared their problems with other parents, they received wise counsel and practical suggestions that really helped.

As Glynnis shared in her devotion on the P31 website today, God wants us to come to Him, just like the woman in Luke 8:44-48 who went to Jesus desperate for help despite what others thought.

Discouragement is one of the things that sends me into a tailspin of desperation as a mom. Like the woman in the passage of Luke who was completely depleted of her energy, her strength and her resources, I can get so wiped out that I start to feel hopeless. I just wish I could learn to start running and hanging onto Jesus before I get to that desperately discouraged place. I asked Glynnis if she ever struggles with discouragement. Here is what she had to share:

This is a challenge I’ve particularly faced being a mother. My time is not my own when even one of my five children are at home.Even when they are away, there is laundry, dishes and papers to read or fill out. I often wonder what I could accomplish if only _________.(you fill in the blank).

As I’ve navigated parenthood and working at home, I’ve had to deal with this issue of discouragement, and realize it’s not God’s plan for me.Despair is Satan’s plan for me. He has no hope and he wants Christians to join him in his pit of despair.

For me, it comes down to – who (or what) do I trust?God has challenged me to answer that question. When my faith is misplaced, discouragement and despair have a speedway to my heart.But when it’s placed appropriately in God, then I might have some blue moments over the daily frustrations of life, but they don’t keep me down.Here’s an excerpt from my book, “work@home” about dealing with this particular challenge:

A wise friend once told me “Don’t doubt in the dark, what you know to be true in the light.”

Remember the words in Jeremiah 29:11,“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”

While despair is Satan’s plan for you, hope is God’s design for you.There is only one place true hope can be found and that is in God.

Hope comes in our relationship with Jesus and all our needs can be met completely and permanently.

Hope is what we hang onto when life doesn’t make sense and tragedy hits.

Hope is how we can agree with Paul and say “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Hope is how we endure when life is difficult.Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote to the church of the Thessalonians and said,“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Thessalonians 1:3)

When you start to doubt your purpose, remember to look to God for the answers.Keep your eyes focused on Him, and He will direct your path.

In Christ’s Love,
Glynnis Whitwer
http://www.glynniswhitwer.com/

If you feel desperate, discouraged or in need of hope, please let me know how I can pray for you today. I want this “Month of Encouragement for Moms” on my blog to be a place where you can be real about where you are as a mom and find God’s hope through His Word and through the stories of other moms just like you!

Copyright 2009, Renee Swope – All rights reserved.

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Today’s Mom Give-Away

We’re giving a copy of Glynnis’ book “work@home“designed to help women transition from the traditional workplace to working at home. Practical in nature, it includes chapters on budgeting, starting a home based business or organizing your home office. Glynnis offers encouragement for moms at every stage of working at home!

We’re also giving away a year’s worth of Family Devotional Magazines from D6.

To be part of today’s give-aways, click on the words “comments” below this post. PLEASE include your email in your comment so we can get in touch if you win!

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Many moms today are feeling desperate, discouraged and alone in their struggles. The D6 Conference is a movement of Christian leaders rising up to encourage and equip today’s mom, and dad. Consider registering before the early bird deadline ends Feb 2nd!

Glynnis is doing a series for Work@Home women on her blog . For more encouragement as a mom, read You Are not Alone by clicking here, after leaving a comment to participate in today’s give-away. Be sure to leave your email, too.

Blessings,

Comments

  1. Just found this site and I’ve already passed it on to my other mommy friends! thank you so much! we need more christian mother resources like this!
    I’d also like to enter today’s contests!
    Amy
    [email protected]

  2. It’s just a blessing today to see I’m definately not alone. As a mom of six, there are days I question God to “what were you thinking?”. I know He is in control, I just need to stay focused on Him, not the 245th load of laundry, the medical bills that need organizing and paying, the jello on the floor, next to the spilled apple juice. It’s hard! 🙂 Today’s day off of school due to cold, will surely be a test.

    [email protected]

  3. What wonderful words to hear this morning, as I am trying to do the right thing in mothering!

    Kendra

  4. Thank you! I always enjoy your posts, but God used you to speak directly to me today about being a discouraged mom. Our older son struggles with severe anxiety and has recently been diagnosed with Asperger's. I feel very alone most days because the world just doesn't understand him…especially the world of middle school! I often forget how Satan uses despair & fear to try and drive a wedge between God and me. Thank you for reminding me of that. I feel strengthened and ready to go back and face my day!

    🙂 Ruth Ann

  6. I just came upon your website today. How wonderful! The encouraging words, shared Bible verses, the stories of other women going through the same daily ups and downs as myself. Thank you for giving of your time to help other women like myself. God bless you.
    [email protected]

  7. Hi Renee,

    I really do have a wonderful family – am much loved by my husband and have two wonderfully-behaved, loving and caring children.

    However, I have failed them miserably. Please pray for me and for them. I am raising two morbidly obese children and I don’t know how to help them. My husband, as wonderful as he his, denies that they have a problem. I just don’t know what to do. I want them to live a healthy and happy life. I just need direction.

    Thank you,
    [email protected]
    Dallas, Texas

  8. I appreciate the encouraging thoughts- I often feel discouraged as a parent and woman. I can’t seem to get everything together. As I struggle to balance life as a SAHM of 2 preschoolers, wife and home manager,etc. I need to be reminded to keep my focus on God, listen for Him and to just keep going. [email protected]

  9. I would love to have this book!! Thanks for the encouragement today! I wrote down the quote ” Dont doubt in the dark, what you know to be true in the light.” I needed to here that!
    Tiffany
    [email protected]

  10. Thank you for being there for me each morning as I start my day. I have 2 boys of my own, the oldest just turned 13. As I get one behavior figured out, they change. I always enjoy the encouragement I get from real women with real problems. Angela Goodwin [email protected]

  12. Thank you Glynnis – as a mom of 5 kids, too – this is exactly what I have been dealing with. I get frustrated when they simply ask for a glass of milk – because that’s the 400th thing I was asked to do that day! I grew up an only child and was accustomed to “my time”. God has certainly stretched me by giving me a big family. Thanks for your encouragement.

    (I really hope I win your book. I’d love to read it!)
    [email protected]

  13. Thank you for sharing your gift!
    I also wonder if I should be working outside the home and helping out financialy. But I know I am right where GOd wants me to be, because home is where I’m needed most right now.
    I also thank God for putting my MOPS group in my path too. That Ministry has changed my life and brought me closer to my Heavenly Father.
    [email protected]

  14. I am new to the devotions, but it is now the first place I come in the morning when I get to work. It is refreshing to start the day with encouragement and hope, it seems to help keep the despair away during these tough times. Thank you so much!!
    [email protected]

  15. Exactly the words that I needed to hear. Its a daily battle not to let Satan get in the way of blessing my family. Thank you for reaching out to all mothers and women in all walks of life.

    Melody
    [email protected]

  17. Life/work/motherhood (i’m new to it as a stepmom) can all be so overwhelming (no children to 3 all at once). I try to stay focused on God and look to him for strength/encouragment but of course it is never easy. Thanks for this wonderful give away and for providing support to us each day!

    Janet
    [email protected]

  18. Thank you for the encouragement today. I am at a point in my life where I feel lost and disconnected in all areas of my life, husband, children, church, community etc. I feel alone, even though I know in my heart God is still here. My husband travels out of the country each month for a week sometimes more. we have 2 young children, one with a disability. Since I am the one who stays home I deal with so much. I feel beyond drained, like I’ve lost me. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. thank you
    [email protected]

  20. God is good always. He is always on time, never late, but right on time. As I started my day, early this morning, asking God to be my portion for the day, to help me make it through one more day, He responded with “Just Desperate Enough” in my inbox. On my way to dropping off my oldest boys @ school, I was comforted as I listened on the radio when they played Michael W. Smith’s version of the “This is the air I Breathe” song.
    Thank You for speaking God’s love into our lives. Everything around us is a reminder that “this is the air we breathe” and without Him we are so lost.
    Being a work from home mom of 3 boys, ages 7 and under, can be quite overwhelming at times. But God’s promises are true. His love is Everlasting and His loves endures forever…
    I AM Desperate for Him, who first loved me… Because without Him, I am so lost…

  21. HOPE…that is what your devotional has given me today. Yesterday was an awful day. Youngest daughter who is 5 is back to her behavioral issues at daycare. Hit 2 kids and kicked another. I just feel like such a ‘loser mom’ when daycare calls.

    Todays post helped me realize this is Satan trying to get me down and I need to turn this over to God.

    Feel it is often my busyness with working full time in a very stressful job (one I often question if I should continue in but need money to pay the bills) that causes her to act out since sometime I have little time for her at night. I pray that God can help us through this time and show my husband and I how best to deal with her.

    Blessings

    Kim
    [email protected]

  22. Thank you for I am in despair!
    I am currently disciplining my almost 4 yr old boy while I have the almost 2 yr old daughter running around!! So I sort of know what she is going through.
    I feel desperate for help and am reading books, searching for answers and trying to glean information.

    [email protected]

  24. I have 3 boys of my own (10, 6, and 4) and have recently obtained custody of my 11 year old nephew. Besides his anger and resentment towards his mom, he hates me, he doesn’t believe in God, and is against everything our family does. I get so discouraged daily, it is very hard to find an even balance between all the boys, and I want to offer my nephew a chance at a stable home and family life. It’s comforting to know I am not alone. Thank you,
    Krystal in Virginia
    [email protected]

  25. Thank you for today’s message of hope.I am blessed with four children, spread out from age thirteen to one. There are different challenges as I am required to switch gears and tackle many different problems and issues on their different levels.I desperately want and need God’s help right now, to be the mom he want’s me to be.It’s good to read here and know that I am not alone, sincerely, Angie. email address is [email protected]

  27. This is so helpful to me. I'm trying to introduce God into our daily routine but I feel like I'm talking and talking, but no one is listening. My kids are 5 & 7 and maybe I'm doing too much talking and not enough showing. I pray every morning for God to show me a way to share Him with them so that they can know Him. Thanks so much for this encouragement!

    Kim
    [email protected]

  30. Thank you so much for the encouragin words! I had this crazy idea that when I quit work to stay home and raise our children that our life would be calm, but with 2 small children that are not too many calm moments. I know that I have the most wonderful job in the world and like all other jobs…it is stressful. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Susan
    [email protected]

  31. Wow, God never ceases to amaze me! Yesterday was a horrible day for me as a mom and for my 7 year old son. His behavior has been on a downward spiral since returning from winter break and yesterday I came to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore; I was literally so mad that I couldn’t even speak to him and I was shaking as I drove home. I simply didn’t know where to turn. I had been asking God for his help for 2 1/2 years now and nothing, no improvement, it had only gotten worse. Then we went to church and the newest Pastor on staff had a word just for me. He spoke about Jesus calming the storm and the disciples lack of faith; he even calls them “cowards” in the Message translation. I realized last night, like I have many times before and forgotten yet again, that storms will come and that doesn’t mean that God has left me (or that he is asleep in the boat). Anyways, I’m asking that you would pray with me that these issues will be overcome and that I will have the strength to trust that God is still there, even when I can’t see him.

    [email protected]

  33. Wow! I began my day with my Proverbs 31 devotion and for the first time clicked on the link to this site. I read all the way back to Dec. 31. What wonderful words of hope at a time when I desperately need them.
    God is Good!
    Debra
    [email protected]

  35. I would love to win a copy of Glynnis’ book. My younger daughter starts school next year and I have been feeling conflicted about going back to work. I would love to use my talents and skills, but I can’t imagine working 9 to 5 when my kids still go to bed at 7. I have been increasingly thinking about working at home.

    Thanks for the encouragement.

    Sherry
    [email protected]

  36. I am a mom of an almost 12 year old daughter (who thinks she’s 17) and I work fulltime (about 48 hours each week) outside the home. In addition, I teach Sunday School and work with teenagers. Many time I feel overwhelmed, yet I kow God has led me to this place to serve Him and share my life as an encouragement to kids. Thank you for your “right on target” words of wisdom.
    Chris
    [email protected]

  37. Just had one of those discouraging moments this morning and I’m happy to say that the first place I came was here to read my morning devotion and spend some time with my Savior! Glad to say satan will be going to the pit alone this morning!!!

    Thank you for all the time you spend to benefit others for Christ!!

    [email protected]

  39. WOW! What a quote!,”Don’t doubt in the dark, what you know to be true in the light.” I am posting this where I can see it all day.
    We have recently started going back to church this past year after as a family not being in church for a few years.It sometimes is discouraging because so many wordly things have crept in and as we as parents draw back to Our Almighty God and live out His Word again,our teens don’t want to always follow. Satan uses this too and wants us to belive the lies that come to mind. God is faithful and I need to not doubt!

    [email protected]

  40. I read the devotion everyday and have for a few years now. I share some of them with my daughter. Thank you for what you do. I think instead of the same three faces everyday on your devotions now it would be nice to see the facw of who wrote the article for the day.

  41. Please include me in the drawing. I’ve come home from the corporate world and I’m struggling to start my own business. Thanks for the encouragement. As the mom of five, I’m sure Glynnis and I have had some of the same struggles!

    [email protected]

  43. Your thoughts today remind me of what the devil does whisper in our thoughts…
    React to the yucky words your husband just said. Never mind that he is tired, and worked hard today.

    Over react to your child’s over reaction…

    Let that person’s rude remarks ruffle your feathers.

    Things can be taken personally, and it is sometimes hard for me to not react to these situations and more… But when I step back and don’t react, things are so much better in the long run. God is good and He will defend me better than I will ever be able to defend myself! Let go and Let God!

    Blessings

    Shannon
    [email protected]

  46. I am a mom of 3 teenagers, and work at home. Thank you for encouraging words. Being at home sometimes you feel no one understands how overwhelming it is and how demanding our job is. Sometimes you are pulled in so many directions you really do not know which way is up. But, I read, pray, and try to ready encouragement for today, look to the Heavenly Father and pray I am doing the right things for my family. Sorry this is so long, thanks for listening and writing your encouaring words.
    Gin

  47. I love this inspiration every morning while drinking my coffee, as I go through my own struggles as a parent; your devotions are right on. My desire is to stay at home. My email for the prizes is [email protected]

  49. Thank you for reminding me that at those many moments of frustration and desperation that I should run straight to Jesus. He is the only one who can calm me and give me the fresh new perspective that I need to be the mom He wants me to be. Thanks again for the daily blessing this blog is to me!

    [email protected]