Sally Clarkson - Leaning on the Promises of God for Moms

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Leaning on the Promises of God for Moms

Copyright 2021 by Sally Clarkson. All rights reserved.

Leaning on the Promises of God for Moms is adapted from Mom Heart Moments (Tyndale House Publishers, 2019), ISBN 978-1-4964-3210-0.

Cover photograph of blue macaw feathers copyright vanowarna/Getty Images. All rights reserved.

Designed by Dean H. Renninger and Libby Dykstra

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Being a mother is profoundly important. Every day, your life is challenging, demanding, and on some days, you may even feel isolated as you fulfill this most important role. But you are not alone. God sees you and is with you. He created you to be a teacher, spiritual director, friend, and so much more to your children.

In fact, you, dear mother, are a hero. You are shaping the history of the next generation by choosing to be a lifegiving mother. You are a woman of great worth. You sacrifice your life daily to bring His life to your precious children, so that they can go into the world spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and with a virtuous character intact.

This little promise book is my gift to you. It contains lifegiving messages and verses I hope will encourage you in your task, grant you wisdom, remind you that what you are doing will reap rewards for all eternity, and illuminate truths from His Word.

May He give wind to your sails and guide you through your journey with generous grace and His unfailing love.

Sally Clarkson

Lord, I pray that each woman who reads this book will be led by You. I pray You will provide them with insight, skill, love, wisdom, and the understanding of what it means to be filled with Your Spirit and to walk by faith in this journey of motherhood. And bless them with strength, joy, and a sense of affirmation in their great calling as parents. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.

I started out on the journey of motherhood assuming it would be a lovely adventure I would be able to accomplish with vibrancy and grace. I did not understand how truly long this walk would be, or about the blisters, hot sun, rough pavement, and curves I would face on the road ahead.

I hadnt counted on the weariness of being pregnant, giving birth, and nursing babies. I hadnt considered the ear infections, tantrums, messes and fusses, mounds of dirty dishes and clothes, and countless days to fill with meaningful occupation, not to mention the training, correcting, and instruction of my children in righteousness.

So many times, when I felt like I simply couldnt go on, I would creep away into my quiet corner to spend a few minutes with the Lord. Without fail, He would use those stolen moments to show me how important my role was in the spiritual life and heritage of my children. In those times, I glimpsed the goal of righteousness I was working toward and realized that I must reach it step by weary step.

I kept going by sheer faith and resolve because I could not ignore the ideals and calls of Scripture. With Gods help, I chose to follow them and trust that they were blessed and right and would bring blessing to me and my family.

Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint! Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Remember, youre in this for the long haul!

Dont be afraid, for I am with you.

Dont be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

ISAIAH 41:10

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

JAMES 1:12

He gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

ISAIAH 40:29

Theres one thing children want that we seldom consider: a happy mama. Happiness is not always a feeling, but a choice that comes from a heart that desires to please God. Happiness is an attitude that says, This is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it. Of course, developing this attitude is another thing altogether. Here are some things I have done to cultivate happiness in my home:

• Greet your children or husband with a blessing when you first see them. Kiss your husband in front of your childrenthis makes them feel happy and secure. Take the time to tell him goodbye before he goes to work.
• Say things like, I am the most blessed mama in the world to have you as my little boy. Good morning, sunshine. I am happy to see you this morning!
• Place things in your life that give you happiness or a sense of fun. Think flowers, walks at sunset, back rubs, sitting on the deck and watching the pines sway in the wind, etc.
• Practice being thankful every daytake time to look at the antics and into the eyes of your children and thank God that they are with you now.

Today, put some of these ideas into practice. And thank God when you see flowers, stars, color, sunsets, and all the other things He made for us to enjoy!

Take delight in the L ORD ,

and he will give you your hearts desires.

PSALM 37:4

With joy you will drink deeply

from the fountain of salvation!

ISAIAH 12:3

You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of your presence

and the pleasures of living with you forever.

PSALM 16:11

Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant thinkers of his time. His name is synonymous with the word genius. Yet, as a baby, his head was so large and misshapen, his mother thought he was deformed. As a child, he had a speech delay. He failed his college entrance exam. Yet despite all this, he became one of the most brilliant and world-changing scientists in history.

Each child is qualified differently for performing in life. How blessed is the child whose mother looks for his or her unique design and personality, who watches for the spark of interest her children show in different subjects, who asks the Holy Spirit to show her the place this child was crafted to invest his or her life for Gods glory.