I wanted to share with you something that I suffer from as I am sure many of you do…Mommy Guilt. It comes in many forms at many different times of the day. Every day.
And it’s things like:
- I played with the kids all day and didn’t get the house cleaned.
- I cleaned the house but then wouldn’t let the kids play in it so that it would stay clean.
- I spend more time with one kid than I do the others.
- I’m too strict.
- I’m not strict enough.
- I raise my voice too much.
- I’m not firm enough.
- Did I give enough hugs today?
- I went shopping alone even though all four of the kids were crying for me at the door when I left.
- I took the kids to the store with me and, rather than gently responding to their misbehavior, I snapped at them.
- Too much table time during lessons.
- Not enough structure.
- I let the kids eat candy.
- I won’t let the kids eat candy.
- I hid the kids’ candy bags so that I could eat it. (a little bit for you from Scary Mommy)
But see, guilt comes from Satan, who is also known as “The Accuser.” He seeks out ways to hinder and incapacitate us in any way possible and for many of us guilt is just the ticket. Our guilt inhibits us from looking at Christ and His provision for our sin and turns our focus inward to ourselves and our frailties.
The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:7 to, “Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” In another translations it says, “Cast all your worries on Him, for His strength is enough.”
Yesterday I was reading my devotion. This one came from Crosswalk, which has some great online devotions if you’re in between devotion books like I am. I noted something very important. I need to differentiate between conviction in a situation and guilt. Conviction is Holy Spirit driven, but guilt is an act of The Accuser. Our sin has been paid for with Jesus’ precious blood and through Him forgiveness is ours. We are free of guilt. We can take those things that burden us daily and give them to our Savior to carry on His big, strong shoulders for us. We are free of those things. So, I want to encourage you to bask in the goodness of God’s grace that He has so freely offered to each one of us. And take the extra moments to spend with the kids instead of cleaning up. They are well worth it…and they’re guilt free!
Happy Mother’s Day!
