I remember when my daughter Caroline and I were driving back from the grocery store after getting our Saturday morning muffins when she looked out the window at a woman jogging and said, “I could never run a mile.”
I had no idea where that thought came from, but I said to her, “Sure you could, you would just have to practice.”
I began to tell her how God made our bodies in a way that we can build up endurance, “If you want to run a mile, the first day you might just walk a little bit, the next day you walk a little faster, and so on and so on, and eventually, you would be able to run a mile.”
After sharing all this with her, I said, “I wish someone would have told me about endurance when I was younger and trying out for track. I just thought I couldn’t run and was a failure at it.”
And all of a sudden it hit me: I have to tell young moms about endurance in motherhood! Because if I don’t say something, maybe they won’t know. If I don’t say that it takes practice and work and consistency and twisted ankles and side stitches and exhaustion, maybe they’ll think they are failures at mothering. It takes time and practice to grow into mothering with wisdom and maturity and grace and gentleness. But the more we practice, the more we keep on, step by step, slow and steady, learning, doing, listening to older moms, staying before the Lord and relying on His Holy Spirit, the better we will get!
There is a reason Scripture talks about older women teaching younger women to keep on — we need to know we aren’t failing. We need to know it takes time and work and sweat and tears. We need to know all of this is normal.
You are normal if you struggle with mothering.
And when I say, it gets better, I don’t just mean it gets easier because your kids sleep and are more self-sufficient (although sleep is awesome). It gets better because you get better. You mature. You grow in grace. You act out of what you have been given by God. You get molded and tested, and if you keep on, you will make it through the fire. And yes, motherhood is a fire sometimes.
So get your running shoes on, pace yourself, and keep on.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
I’m so deeply grateful for the truth of this post.
God uses all the challenges of mothering to build into his daughters a “run and not be weary, walk and not faint” kind of endurance that I could not have gained in any other way. I also realize that He uses all kinds of different sculpting tools for all kinds of different women, but it’s amazing to me that He promises we will “rise up like eagles,” and then He gives us the wings.
Sarah Mae says
“run and not be weary, walk and not faint” YES YES YES!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Sarah Mae,
Motherhood is an endurance race….Amen! I think we could all do a short sprint if we had to, but to keep at it day after day? That takes endurance and perseverance. 3 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5. Not that raising children is suffering, but let’s face it, at times it’s not easy. What better trainers in perseverance and endurance than our own children? Also, I don’t want to throw a wet blanket on moms who think once your kids graduate and you cross that finish line, you’re done. Maybe your years of instruction and influence are pretty much complete, but the role of “Mom” goes on. I’m learning that a lot of it is spent on my knees in prayer. Being a mom takes endurance for sure. Just going through life, in general, is a long distance run and not a short sprint. All this to say, I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for cheering moms and women on no matter what phase of mothering or life we are in!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jen says
Bev, I really agree with you. My kids are grown now, but the “role” of mom goes on…and I’m so thankful! That being said, there are new blessings and new challenges in our roles. Thankfully God is faithful, like always, and He is our ever present help, like always. God bless moms…the young ones and the not so young ones 🙂 We all need Him!
Courtney says
Thank you for this reminder and encouragement! I just told a friend who has older children that I wish I had more of her grace! But she’s had much more practice and this was a great reminder of that! Thank you!
Sarah Mae says
Yep, practice and time and so much grace over it all!
Denise Pass says
So true! Love what you said about, “if I don’t tell them, they won’t know”. So many times I wished someone could have better prepared me for motherhood. So grateful for God’s word that illumined my mind when motherhood seemed daunting. His grace is enough. We just have to “keep on”, as you said, with God’s grace and strength.
Penny says
Sara Mae,
Thank-you for sharing and putting this so well. As a Mom of children of various ages, I have never had Motherhood mastered. But it’s been of great comfort knowing I’ve made it through thus far, by God’s grace.
Have a blessed day all while keeping on……
Penny
Sarah Mae says
None of us have motherhood mastered! And yes, all of it by grace.
Courtney says
Thank you for this! Heavenly Father, p!ease fill in where I lack.
Sarah Mae says
I love that prayer!
Cynthia says
Oh, how I love this. Beautifully and wisely said Sarah Mae. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Rebecca Jones says
Being a mother is also about how you view it. And who is walking beside you. If you are always racing you can’t keep up. I like the pacing yourself idea. You’re not going after a medal but a crown. And it should already be there as a daughter of the King.
Danielle says
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, insight, and experience! This post encouraged my heart so so much!! I’m a mom of 2 little ones and come August I will be a staying at home. I’m looking forward to this new season and I know I will inevitably encounter new challenges but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This post is so timely and I know I will be reading it over and over again when I need a fresh reminder that I’m not failing but building endurance.
Blessings to you and yours!
Sarah Mae says
Oh Danielle, you’ve got this! And that’s right, you’re not failing, you’re growing and maturing and we do this whole mothering thing by faith anyway. Keep at it girl!
Maylee says
Motherhood is both a blessing and sometimes leaving you so drained out, you don’t even know if you can survive another second. It is filled with joy daily. The joy that you will never receive anywhere else. I am my kids mom and there are days I feel I am racing on that track, stopping every so often to grab a drink of water and then continue to move on, to jump over those hurdle sticks. Sometimes, I fail miserably. So bad I cannot look at my kids in the eye. Other days, I am the most proudest momma alive. I wished there was a guide book, a resource book I can grab when I am running this marathon but there isn’t. The only thing I find comfort in is knowing that all of us mothers are here to serve our little ones and have faith that one day, they will become the best version of themselves. As we approach Mother’s Day, let us remember to be kind to ourselves, let us remind ourselves that when we are beat and tired from all this running, God is right there running with us every step of the way. He is our biggest cheerleader and He will provide nourishment for our souls. Thank you to all those who are mothers. We are doing amazing work for our little peeps… Thank you for sharing this..
Beth Williams says
Sarah,
Life is hard! Raising children in this world is super hard. It requires much patience & endurance. The best ways I know to do it are take one day/hour at a time & stay in constant prayer. God will equip you to handle all the hard stuff. Life is like a race. In order to win we have to work up our endurance. The more we practice & push on the better we will get. Like Bev said-motherhood doesn’t end when the children are out of the house. That can be an even harder time. You are constantly worrying about them. Give them daily to God in prayer & He will help you handle them.
Blessings 🙂
Lynne says
Thank you so much for this encouragement and for helping me look at motherhood in a different way.