“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11
“You were made by God and for God and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” Rick Warren
- Call your prayer partner. Keep your conversion short and sweet, focused on lifting each other up in prayer.
- Psalm 33 reminds us that God is perfect, almighty, and loving. Mama, you do not have to be perfect to come into His presence and be refreshed right now.
- Read Psalm 33:11 as a personal prayer to God to start off your time with Him. You might say something like, “Lord, Your plans stand firm forever. The purposes of Your heart live through all generations.” If you have time, read all of Psalm 33 aloud as worship to your Savior!
A mother’s love is a force to be reckoned with! We want the best for our families, which often makes us believe we have to be the best. The world tells us our purpose in life is found in our perfection. We “should” be able to meet our children’s emotional, spiritual, and mental needs while making sure they win all the trophies and eat all of the organic veggies we have grown and prepared for them.
It sounds ridiculous, but just take a scroll through your social media or your own thought patterns. When I did (and when I looked at my failed garden in the backyard), I saw some defeating and unreachable standards. It’s crippling to believe you’re not achieving your purpose if you can’t get your toddler to stop having meltdowns in the grocery store or your teenager to stop rebelling. (Trust me—I have a toddler and a teenager!)
Mama, we are going to learn some good news from one of Jesus’ closest companions. Peter had a reputation for speaking too quickly, acting on emotion, and making huge mistakes. Can any other mama relate!?! But, Peter did not go down in history as the guy who couldn’t measure up. Jesus called him the rock on which He would build His church.
Jesus did not say, if Peter was better, then He would approve of him. Peter’s shortcomings, along with mine and yours, are permanently erased when Jesus took our sins to the cross. Peter’s greatness had nothing to do with Peter’s personal efforts. It was all about what Jesus did and who Jesus is. Because Peter wanted above all else, for Jesus to be Lord of his life, he was set aside with a purpose to change the world.
Mama, your greatest purpose on this earth is not to be a great wife or the perfect mom. Your primary purpose is to know the love of Jesus and to let Him be Lord of your life. All the other good stuff flows out of that. When Jesus is Lord in every area of your life, He tears down all other worldly standards and becomes your perfecter. So take heart moms, and let’s journey together to find unbreakable peace and eternal purpose in a loving relationship with Jesus our Lord.
Let’s pray: Jesus, thank you for dying so that I could live—not only live but live a full, purposeful life. Help me to recognize the standards I’ve held myself to that are not from you and help me to let go of them today. Help me to find my purpose in your love for me so that I can weather any season of life.
Blessings and Love,
Kacy
Scripture
- Matthew 16:18 (AMP) – “And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ].”
- John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
- John 10:10 (AMP) – “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”
- John 16:27 (ESV) – “For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”
- John 16:33 (ESV) – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Questions to Ponder
- By what standards do you most often measure yourself?
- In what ways do you think you would be different as a mom or wife if you considered your primary purpose and the greatest job is to be loved by God?
Faith-Filled Ideas
Jot down a list in your journal or brainstorm aloud with your children all the examples you can find today of how much God loves you—maybe it’s lyrics to a song, a beautiful sunset, or a hug from your child.
Five years into single parenting in the African bush, a Tennessee man also entered the mission field. We met and decided to stay in South Africa and get married.
We are now living in Cape Town, South Africa building up the local church with our teenager and toddler boys.
Help Club for Moms became a lifeline to me when I was lonely on the mission field with a new baby in a foreign country. I am so thankful to write for this community and to document God’s work in my own family at http://www.ladd.family
- Kacy’s Little Devos: God Cares for the Desires of Your Heart - July 5, 2024
- Mom Tips Friday: Claim Your Ground! - May 31, 2024
- Prayers Around the World: Kacy Ladd South Africa - May 11, 2024