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Renee Swope

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

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,

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Comments

  2. Today was one of those days where I didn’t know if I had the strength to go on. I was tired and fatigued and the doctor’s office called me with the results of my blood test to say my iron was low and I needed to start taking iron pills. I expected a quick burst of energy to accompany the Rx they called in for me, nothing happened. I will go to sleep and try again tomorrow, maybe it will kick in then. Your e-devotion whispered the desperation I was feeling today and I realized that I was not alone in feeling overwhelmed as a stay at home mom…[email protected].

  3. This is my first time stopping by your site. Your words are especially encouraging to me as a stay at home mommy. I am a mother of 4 under 5 1/2 years old. During these tough financial times I am torn between finding a job or working a few hours a day while the kids nap in the afternoon. I would love to be entered into your drawing. My e-mail address is [email protected]
    Thank you and God bless you

  4. I am a mother of a two year old little girl, and I often question if I am raising her in the way she should go. I know it is me and my Husband’s responsibility to make sure that we teach her all the things she needs to know. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed at the fact that I may not be teaching her all the right things, but I know that we’re not perfect and I’m trying to do the best I can. I am always open for some encouraging words and your devotion was the one today. Thank you.

    Aryn
    Email: [email protected]

  6. Thanks so much for the daily inspiration! As I had 3 kids in 3.5 years (2 boys, 1 girl). I related to today’s issue quite well. Some days are tougher than others and some bring more joy than others; but all can be great days if we give them to God.
    Laura V in IN
    [email protected]

  7. I am on kid number two and I dont think I can have another kid due to the different personalities and agendas..also I am used to working and now I am a stay home mom…totally different aspect! However, I have learned that I must totally rely on GOD! [email protected]

  8. I am a mom to 3 children 5 and under. Nathan will be 5 in Feb, Gabriella is 4 and Lucas is 2.
    Having 3 so close together is a daily challenge.. it seems like they go through alot of the same things at the same time. When you add in a child with developmental delays and communication issues.. its almost like having 2 4 yr olds and a 2 yr old.
    I have really struggled with being the mom God wants me to be at times with stress that enters in at my house.
    Its good to hear about the struggles of other moms to know that there is hope.
    And encouragement for those not so easy days- He is in control.

    Chrissy
    [email protected]

  9. Please pray for me as I journey in a new way to the heart of God.My twenty two year old son shot and killed himself three days after Christmas and this is so unbelievable to me.I know that I have not had this news sink in and although we have been through the funeral and all I just feel numb and sick and empty and I don’t even know how I really feel.Thanks for your encouragement.abbasdaughter

  11. Great encouragement again today. Just wanted to say, the song you posted is my husbands favourite song. That alone makes me love him more :o)

    Love & hugs,
    Joy

  13. I love the idea you have this month to blog for moms. It is so easy to become overwhelmed as a mom. New moms, or moms with young children should check out a Mothers of Preschoolers group to help them (mops.org). I think Christian support groups are the way to go, so you realize you’re not alone.

    Great series.

  14. HOPE = JESUS

    Motherhood…whew…who knew???

    It is the hardest job you’ll ever love…
    It is maddening and the most amazing
    It is mystifying and humbling
    It is growing and stumbling
    It is loving and losing
    It is loving again
    It is trying and trying harder
    It is giving it all up to God
    again and again
    It is loving someone(s) so much
    your heart will burst
    with longing, love, frustration, more love,
    with hope, despair, and prayer
    It is getting a glimpse of how God feels about us….
    And becoming amazed at how He loves our children much more than we ever could…..
    It is committing them again and again into His care…
    and letting go………..

  15. I love being a mom but sometimes struggle with the challenges of raising a teenage son. There is so much out there to draw him in to the ways of the world. Thanks for the messages of hope and the encouragement you give to those of us trying to survive this crazy, wonderful thing called parenthood.

    [email protected]

  17. I am at a point of desperation for wisdom. My daughter is entering the tween years. Last night she shared how she is struggling with teasing about a boy that she has tried to be friendly too. The kids in her class are saying that she “likes” this boy. She is so frustrated. As a mom, I want to make it all better, but I’m sensing that I just need to walk through this season with her, ultimately pointing her to her relationship with the Lord. Lord, give me the wisdom and discernment I need in this new season of parenting!

    [email protected]

  18. I am a work-at-home Mom, and boy do I feel blessed to be able to be at home with my 14 month old daughter. I often feel guilty for feeling overwhelmed b/c everyone is always saying, that must make thing so much easier! I know it does but there are still those days when it feels like there is so much to do it will never get done!
    Thanks for your encouragement, your ministry is a blessing!
    I would love to read your book
    about working at home!
    [email protected]