Becky Kopitzke

Devotions for Moms

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Family First

August 22, 2011

“If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:5)

Monday did not go as planned. You know the kind of day. My agenda and God’s agenda played bumper cars, and God won. He always does.

I had a to-do list. Laundry, a play date, tacos for dinner. But around 11 o’clock, out of nowhere, my four-year-old sprouted a fever. By 3 o’clock, our house became Vomit Central Station. Toss the to-do list. Who wants tacos now, anyway? God had other plans.

See, Monday wasn’t just another sick day. It was also the day I launched this blog. The day I’d anticipated, planned, prayed for. It was the day I announced to a small slice of the world, “I’m yours, God! Use me!” And he did. He used my swift skill for catching upchuck in a bucket.

Coincidence? No such thing. I’ve never heard the audible voice of God, but last Monday, he spoke to me loud and clear.

You want to serve me? Great! Serve your family. You want to encourage other people to love me? Super! Love your family. Today that means you will drop your iPad and hold your daughter’s hair while she cries. You will forget about tracking followers and murmur in her ear, “Everything’s alright, sweetheart. Mommy’s here.” Yes, Becky, you are a writer. I made you that way. But first you are a mom. Be a mom.

Last month, I attended a Christian writer’s conference called She Speaks. Worship leader Michael O’Brien shared something simple yet so profound that it stuck to my heart like gum in a ponytail. “Music is my gift,” he said. “But my family is my calling.”

Wow. Could this be true? A gifting and a calling are not synonymous. We’re all gifted with something. Art, athletics, teaching, business sense, yodeling, you name it—it doesn’t really even matter what the gift is. God gave it and wants us to use it. But the point is that it’s not the most important thing.

I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on the gifts—uncovering them, honing them, offering them up. I’ve cried out to God, asking, “What am I supposed to do with my life? What did you create me to do, Lord?”

Then in those ordinary, breathtaking moments—when a redhead falls asleep in my arms, or I’m trotting two steps behind training wheels, or the whole family dances in the living room to a Veggie Tales CD, laughing to tears at the baby’s goofy moves—that’s when I hear the Lord’s reply.

Open your eyes, child. You’re already doing it.

Honestly, I wish I were gifted at being a mom. Wouldn’t that be convenient? On a good day I give myself about a B+. Nobody is going to grant me a Pulitzer for potty training, carpooling, or wrestling a curious toddler away from her big sister’s barf pail.

In the mundane, exhausting hours of responsibility, it’s tempting to think I should be doing something else, something more. Something I’m good at. Motherhood is not glamorous. It is not lucrative. It is not always stimulating. But it is the highest calling we will ever know.

God has given us the tremendous opportunity of raising the next generation of loving, honorable, faith-centered people. And I want to answer from the rooftops – “I’ll do it, God! I’m yours! Use me!”

I’m happy to report the yuck has subsided, and my elder daughter is back to normal. Which means last night she begged for Capri Sun and pickles for dinner. And, being the B+ mother that I am, I told her she could have them—for dessert. Just as soon as she finished her taco.

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Filed Under: Doctor Mom, Growing Pains, Homemaking, Household, Parenting, Raising Young Kids, Sentimental, Things I Learn from My Kids

Comments

  1. Lisa Van Wyk says

    August 22, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    Thanks Becky. You helped me realize what my priority today is.

  2. Candace says

    August 22, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Loved this… thank you.

  3. Erin says

    August 22, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    I am filled with encouragement and have a renewed understanding about my “calling” as Mom.

    P.S. Love the precious image of your family dancing to Veggie Tales. 🙂

  4. Aaron & Sarah Berken says

    August 23, 2011 at 3:18 am

    I just love your writing style, Becky!! So glad you’ve launched this. Thanks!:)

  5. Kristin Belland says

    August 23, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    EXCELLENT, THANKS FOR YOUR HONESTY….

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    Meet Becky.

    If you love your kids but you sometimes forget to feed them lunch, if you're crazy about your husband but some days you want to set his hunting gear on fire, and if you adore Jesus with your whole heart yet you mess up time and time again, then you and I are friends already.

    We need each other. I'm so glad you're here.

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    beckykopitzke

    📚Author of The Supermom Myth & Generous Love
    👩🏼‍💻Blogger of Christian Encouragement
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    ⬇️Click for FREE Resources for Moms

    Instagram post 2107609199356937547_2005360423 Do you ever feel overwhelmed in parenting, marriage, work, or life in general?
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Do you wish you could understand how God and the Bible apply to your life... but you struggle to figure it out?
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How are we supposed to do all the things, be all the things, and manage ALL THE THINGS without getting crabby, fed up, or burned out?
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Great questions. Maybe what you need right now is a wise friend... a mentor and coach who can help you sort it all out, point you to God's Word and help you discover what it looks like to apply His truths to your daily choices and responsibilities. Someone who won't criticize or judge you but instead stand beside you, validate your struggles, and then inspire and equip you to move through them with practical and biblically sound tips, accountability, and lots of prayer.
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That's what I do.
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This fall, I have two openings for one-on-one coaching and mentoring. This is an opportunity to work intimately together, growing closer to Jesus through Scripture resources and Christ-centered conversations so that you can get a handle on the things that trip you up. If you're ready to invest in a relationship that will point you to God and hold you there—with plenty of room for laughter, tears, doubts and questions—then I'd love to work with you one-on-one this fall.
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Only two spots are available. All the details are on my website at beckykopitzke.com/one-on-one-coaching-and-mentoring. I invite you to apply for one of these limited coaching/mentoring client spots. I can't wait to get to know you one-on-one!
    Instagram post 2099708763774036642_2005360423 Spending sweet time with my baby girl... who is now long gone from her baby days. Summer, we love you. Fourth grade can wait. We have popsicles to slurp.
    Instagram post 2093151453752673218_2005360423 Raising older kids has its blessings. Seeing my daughters invest in younger ones is an encouragement of eternal proportions. They will carry on the call of raising disciples.
    Instagram post 2075971312425452366_2005360423 Who says you can't be holy and fun at the same time?
    Instagram post 2075968304522458287_2005360423 “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.” - Psalm 127:3-5
    Instagram post 2075400643619001062_2005360423 Exhausted? Cranky? Emotionally spent? Of course you are, you’re a mom.
Raise your hand if this sounds familiar, and know that I’m raising my hand right along with you, sister, because I’ve been there too. 🙋🏻
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But as a women's author, Christian blogger, and (semi) seasoned-momma, I felt the need to actually DO something about it! So I've created a FREE Resource Library for moms just like you! In this space you’ll find a unique collection of free, easily downloadable resources designed to solve common parenting issues, add some fun back into the day-to-day routine, and provide some much-needed encouragement for a momma's heart.
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So take a 2-minute "mom break" (or at the very least save the link for when the kids are asleep) and go check it out — I really think you'll love what you find. Simply click the link in my profile and choose "Free Mom Resources" to sign up! .
Psst! If you're still not sure if these resources will be helpful for you, here's a few examples of what you'll find in the Resource Library:
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👉🏻 Stop Yelling! A Five-Day Guidebook for Moms
👉🏻 30 Creative Solutions to 7 Common Parenting Problems
👉🏻 20 Questions to Help Your Kids Get Along
👉🏻 Screen Time Tickets for Kids and Tweens
👉🏻 30 Ideas for Family Fun When You Don't Know What to Do
👉🏻 20 Household Worship Games for the Entire Family
👉🏻 How to Pray for Your Husband from Head to Toe
    Instagram post 2072310361256014584_2005360423 Local friends...raise your hand if you will be going to Lifest this summer! (hand raise emoji) I'll be speaking on "Living the Glorious Mom Life" on the Pit Stage on Saturday, July 13th. If you are there I'd love for you to stop by, listen, and say hello!
    Instagram post 2071634573409955710_2005360423 In my newest book, The Cranky Mom Fix, in the second chapter we talk about recognizing our triggers that taunt that cranky "Momster" to rear her ugly head. We discuss how to pinpoint the areas we need to turn our eyes and ears toward as we start to put this beast back her in place. One way to explore this is by reading 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 and replacing the word "love" with your name. For example — Becky is patient, Becky is kind. Becky does not envy, Becky does not boast, Becky is not proud, etc. Can you recite that with confidence? Or are there maybe some areas that trip you up and give you pause? Try this yourself and then leave me a ✔️ when you've done this for yourself!
    Instagram post 2070867301619765627_2005360423 Summer is my favorite season. Ever since my girls entered school, I’ve come to treasure these fleeting sunshine days—free from classroom routines, after-school commitments, homework and social drama.
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Don’t get me wrong; we love our school, and I’m grateful for the hardworking teachers who pour their love and energy into my daughters day after day. School is a great blessing in our lives. And by the time June rolls around, our dear teachers deserve a break even more than we do. Summer is a beautiful thing—for everyone. But...
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Something strange is happening now that my girls are growing older. This weird dichotomy of emotions bubbles up within me when I see my daughters stand on stage at the year-end ceremony and hug their teachers goodbye. On one hand, I’m relieved and elated and eager to have them home on summer rest.
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Yet there’s this other hand that shows up now, and it slaps my heart in a tender space. Summer no longer means just popsicles and pool parties and wearing PJs ‘til noon. Now it also signifies change, growth, and time closing in.
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I blinked and suddenly there’s a seventh grader living in my house. Seventh grade. That’s only six years from high school graduation. Six years from your job is done here, mother woman. Peace out. How can that be?
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To read the rest of this post, click the link in my profile and choose "Featured Blog Post"
    Instagram post 2069389800766766265_2005360423 Reviews are starting to roll in from my book launch team...a few days ago I shared with you what fellow moms have to say about The Cranky Mom Fix — the reviews just keep coming, so here are 5 MORE reasons why you should read The Cranky Mom Fix!
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And if you’re looking for more information on The Cranky Mom Fix, visit the link in my profile!
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7. You will begin to see and appreciate your children in new ways. “I have LOVED this book so far!! There are so many takeaways but one that I never expected to be so eye opening was the idea that my children are humans, too. They should be valued and respected just like I would value and respect any other human. This seems so basic, but I have realized that when I turn into a Momster, that basic truth goes completely out the window in my own brain. If I can keep that at the forefront, then I can begin to stop myself in my tracks and tame the Momster before she ever rears her ugly head.” —Rachel
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8. You will get acquainted with your Bible and learn how to apply it to your daily life. “Becky has such a gift of being able to put Scripture to real life scenarios. She makes it all so relatable and easy to understand and actionable.” —Kari “The Scriptures have been such an amazing tool to get me refocused on God and calm me in those Momster moments.” —Kimberly “This book has amazing amounts of Scripture and biblical foundation. Becky has encouraged me to DO!!! Not just know Scripture, but live it out.” —Jillian
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9. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel all the feels. “So I made it all the way through not even the first paragraph before tears of empathy and commiseration fell.” —Bethany “I literally laughed and cried through every page.” —Heather “I love reading a book that makes you literally laugh out loud!!” —Jennine
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10. You will gain a friend, mentor, and sister in Christ—me. “Because Becky makes motherhood so relatable, I’m 100% more likely to learn and apply her solutions in the book. I love it!” –Jennine “Becky has a wonderful way of making cranky moms feel validated in their situations but challenges us to think and react differently. Take the challenge!” —Debra
    Instagram post 2069202990384179140_2005360423 "Discipline is a necessary part of parenting. How we deliver it makes all the difference." - Becky Kopitzke, The Cranky Mom Fix
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Learn more about The Cranky Mom Fix ➡️ crankymomfix.com
    Instagram post 2068762780588462009_2005360423 These girls. They've taught me so much about how to love and be loved. ❤️❤️❤️
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So grateful to my husband as well for his unwavering support of my writing ministry. It's not always easy having a wife/mom who's writing a book amongst all the other tasks of daily life, and this crew rocked it!
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