The Measure of a Mom

"I vow to stop measuring my worth by the circumference of my waist, the cleanliness of my house, or the state of my children's hair when they walk out the door.

I vow to stop measuring myself by how fast I can run a mile, the marks on my child's report card, and how many academic degrees hang on my wall..." ~Rachel Macy Stafford in Hands Free Mama 

There are days when I am exactly this....wondering what people will think about me as a mom because of what my children do (or don't do), or judging myself when I don't measure up to what I see another mom doing.

My status as a mom doesn't depend on whether or not my child has the cutest haircut, the nicest clothes, the best grades, becomes a star basketball player, or gets the leading part in the play.  It's not about having them look a certain way or pushing them to do something I want them to do or making them become someone I wish I had been.

What God has called me to do as a mom is to love my children well, to teach them about Him, and to train them in His ways.  My ultimate goal is for Him to be pleased.  I'm afraid I forget this at times and make motherhood about me - or my abilities, or my children's accomplishments - instead.

How often I need to be reminded that parenting these precious (even at 13 and 11!) treasures God has entrusted to us requires the wisdom and grace that only He can provide!