Today I am happy to welcome to the blog my friend and fellow author Ruth Schwenk. Ruth is the founder of The Better Mom, a popular website where I’m honored to be a part of the contributor community alongside several other wise and godly women I admire. Ruth’s newest book, The Better Mom Devotional, releases today, and it is a beautiful gift of encouragement to moms like you and me. Let’s enjoy a sample of what she has in store for us. Thanks for joining us, Ruth!
* * * * * * * * * *
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1
Being a mom is not a jog in the park, is it? It’s easy to get tired. Worn out. Both the Christian life in general and parenthood in particular are much more like a marathon than a leisurely jog. Each is a grueling run, not a quick sprint. Each is full of twists and turns, ups and downs. And like any lengthy and challenging journey, parenthood is full of moments when we want to throw in the towel!
That’s one reason I love the reminder from the writer of Hebrews that this calling we are all chasing requires perseverance. We are to stay in the race, enduring when we’re bone tired and emotionally spent, patiently and steadfastly working to fulfill our purpose to raise kids who will one day grow up to love Jesus and love the world. In other words, this isn’t an easy assignment. The truly meaningful things rarely are. We can’t afford to be easily swayed. We are to “run with perseverance.”
We are told not only to run a race, but to run the race God has marked out for us. Not the race of a neighbor, friend in Bible study, coworker, mentor, favorite blogger, pastor, or friend. We are to run the race Jesus has marked out for each of us. Run the race marked out for you!
By fixing our eyes on Jesus, we stay faithful to the course He has for us. The promise for those who persevere is that, in time, we will reap a harvest. We will see the fruit of our labor (Galatians 6:9).
So don’t give up. Keep going. By God’s grace, keep persevering as a parent. It will be worth it!
Father, give me grace today. Fill me with Your strength. Renew my faith, my energy, my focus. Help me stay the course, running this parenting journey with patience and perspective. Remind me to run my race faithfully, knowing that You are with me, supplying all of my needs every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where are you most weary as a mom right now?
When have you been tempted to run someone else’s race?
Trusted author Ruth Schwenk of Pressing Pause and The Better Mom blog will help you learn to give yourself grace as you grow in wisdom with The Better Mom Devotional. As a busy mom of four kids, Ruth understands the stress of raising a family and trying to do it all perfectly, but she has uncovered a secret: becoming a better mom starts not with what you are doing but with who God is inviting you to become.
With 100 devotions, The Better Mom Devotional offers you a calm way to start your day, deepening your faith on this lifelong journey towards becoming more like Jesus. If you are ready to discover what God wants to do in you, you can grab your copy of The Better Mom Devotional today at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com or anywhere books are sold.
Want more encouragement? Subscribe to The Better Mom blog and Ruth will send you 10 Prayers to Encourage a Mom’s Heart.
What to Read Next: The Real Solution for Your Exhaustion