Have you ever prayed and prayed for something and then actually got what you prayed for?
I have.
And as a result of the answered prayer my life has become much more difficult. I got what I wanted but it really hasn’t looked like I thought it would.
I used to be a great parent… or at least I thought I was before I had kids. As my boys have grown I have learned lots and lots of lessons about being a mom. However, none of those lessons have adequately prepared me for the challenge of being a foster/adoptive mom.
I came into this believing I was Supermom. God had granted my prayer and I was going to be the perfect mom for these two kids. I believed my love would be all they needed to overcome any obstacle and they would quickly forget about any part of their past.
Yeah… no. That’s not at all how things have transpired. Most of the time now, I show up 10 minutes late in a full sweat, the toddler only has on one shoe, and I can’t find the hand sanitizer for the 6 year old who just touched a dead bird in the parking lot (#truestory #cantmakethisstuffup).
The bottom line is I was not, I am not, and I never will be Supermom. God did not create me to be someone else’s savior. I only have room on my back for one thing: either my cross or my cape.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24
If I choose to parent while wearing my Supermom cape, I am failing to let the cross shape every situation and relationship. This will lead to failure and I know it. Yet, even when I pick up my cross there are still times I’m tempted to tie my cape on top (because God needs my help, right?). NO! He does not need my help and He waits so patiently for me to realize the truth that the cape is never going to fit over my cross. When I resolve to get rid of the Supermom cape and live in light of all the cross has done for me, that’s when my true identity shines through.
What do you need to let go of in order for the cross to shine brighter in your life?
We kick off our Thursday night services this week! While the topic/sermon will be the same as Sunday, the band and set list will be different.
Melissa, that is so true. As moms, we think we have to do everything, and do it perfectly. That is what we hear as we are raising kids. We do not have do it all. We just have to love our children and our husband, and do what we can as we can.
So good and memorable! Great post Melissa!
Melissa, can great post. I used to joke that I would never be Mom of the Year. What I can share with you is that you’ll never regret the time you spend with your children. What I do regret is all the time I spent cleaning! Love with the need and enjoy life!