Shelly A. Faust

Being a Mama Is Tough

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Let me say that again.

Being a Mama is tough.

It can make you feel so full of love that you think your heart might burst.

And it can empty you, causing you to question your ability to go on or make you wonder what God was thinking when He trusted you with children.

The one constant we have, no matter what kind of mothering or parenting moment we find ourselves in, is God.

He never changes.

When I feel broken, when my strength has been depleted, and when every ounce of energy has been used up (for example – from parenting a teenager, hypothetically speaking, of course), I can choose to surrender and lay everything at the feet of Jesus. In this place I find hope, healing, and strength to start over again tomorrow.

In our current study of “Am I Messing Up My Kids?” by Lysa Terkeurst, she says,

“Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogues with God. Anything I do wrong as a mom is because of trying to do things in my own strength.”

After twenty-two years of parenting, I know this to be truth. And yet, still some days I find myself neglecting my source of strength, wisdom, and joy.

But His grace never runs out and His mercies are still new every morning.

So lay down those burdens, sweet mama friend, and pick up His Word.

You’ll find hope there.

Bathe your mind in truth and wrap your heart in His promises.

Surrender those worries, throw away those feelings of inadequacy, and please PLEASE break that measuring stick that falsely accuses you of being less than others.

God doesn’t love us based on how well we perform or how perfectly behaved our kids are.

He loves us not because of anything we are but because He IS love.

His affections have been set on you today. Right now. This. Very. Moment.

Breathe out that thing weighing you down.

And breathe in His grace and strength to keep going.

“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.  Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22)

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”  (Isaiah 40:29)

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”  (Psalm 100:5)

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.

Isn’t He so good? :)

Love,

Shelly

(Need encouragement from other mamas? Join us here —> Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies.)

There Are Days I Want to Quit

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Life has a way of pushing us away from our purpose, if we let it. Things happen and the world keeps moving and the passion that once propelled us forward flickers dimly and everything feels routine and some days you wonder why you do what you do.

Or you wake up and find you have drifted a little.

I’m thankful that on those days, we can catch the current and find our way back. Or better yet, we can swim for deeper waters where, if we listen closely, we can hear God whisper and breathe fresh on us, reigniting passion and re-birthing purpose.

Words have come slowly these days, especially here in this space. Isn’t it funny how we find ourselves going around the same mountain or perched on the same bench or stuck in the same place over and over? I found a post I wrote last year from this same spot so I’m using it to encourage myself again. (Maybe you, too, can find encouragement here?)

(The following post was originally published in March 2013)

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There are days I want to quit.

Days I want to turn off the computer, lay down my pen, and submit an application to a sophisticated boutique where my employee discount would get me twenty percent off of cute shoes and pretty dresses.

I have thought about it, you know.

I wonder, is this thing I’m doing making a difference?

Should I venture from this place and look for something new?

And then the thought of not writing makes my heart ache.

The thought of not sharing through words makes it hard to breathe and I know what, really, I already knew.

I know I belong here with you.

Here in this space sharing life experiences, broken places, and lessons learned.

And there in my writer’s desk pounding sentences and building chapters with words that may never be read.

When I’m here I feel like we could sit and have a brownie or I could dip my chocolate covered old fashioned donut in my coffee and you wouldn’t mind.

And when I’m there sometimes it’s lonely but words heal as they spill out and faith tells me one day they will heal someone else, too.

So I keep writing.

And my heart smiles when you pull up a chair and join me.

Thank you for listening, friends. 

And thank you for being a part of this journey, wherever it may lead us.

Is there something you know (but sometimes doubt) you were born to do? Is there a passion for something that drives you forward and keeps you pressing in even when your flesh flirts with discouragement and your heart tempts to fail? I would love to hear this part of your story. :)

From Afraid To Courageous

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This week one of the labels we talk about is AFRAID. I know a lot about this label. Growing up I was afraid of most everything. But more than being afraid of the dark or afraid to speak in front of the class (flashback to Jr. High Speech class and blubbering my words through tears), I have often been afraid of fully embracing this space God has carved out for me.

Because sometimes mothering and writing and ministry can seem insignificant (unless, perhaps, you are on the NYT Best Sellers List or boarding a flight for your next international speaking event) and other times it can feel really, really scary (probably especially if you are on the NYT Best Sellers List or boarding a flight for your next international speaking event).

  • Am I making a difference?
  • Does this matter?
  • Am I enough?
  • Am I doing enough?
  • Have I missed God somehow?
  • Do others approve?

Tasks go unnoticed, words go unpublished, and these moments are not often returned with a certificate of a job well done or a paycheck every Friday.

It’s easy to look at other women and think, “If I could only do THAT,” because, well, I see super-hero capes when I look at you mamas with full-time jobs and careers outside of the home.

It’s easy to be afraid that what we are doing doesn’t matter or isn’t making a difference.

It’s easy to be afraid that we aren’t enough.

But God wants to give us courage to believe we can make a difference right where we are.

And when we understand that our value is not in what we do but in what Jesus has already done for us, we might dig our heels in and plant firmly in this God appointed space no matter what opposition comes or what others think.

Because no matter your space, “You are without limits because of the unlimited God who lives in you” (Derwin Gray).

So, “Take your staff, your slingshot, and grab your five rocks. Use the gifts and abilities God has given you, and sling them at the giants you will face” (Derwin Gray).

And if what you’re doing feels small (btw – mothering is NO SMALL THING, in case you were wondering) – consider that God has placed His finger on every detail of your life. Even this one.

If what you’re doing feels small, remember there’s a great, BIG God who loves you beyond measure and takes delight in turning even the ordinary into extraordinary.

Because this small thing you’re doing today spills over into tomorrow. And tomorrow leaks into next week. And next week could set the stage for the next ten years.

Every moment, every day, is a seed planted in the soil of tomorrow.

That means we’ve got no time to waste, friends.

I’m ripping off AFRAID and I’m putting COURAGEOUS in its place.

Because in Jesus, I’m already enough.

And you are, too.

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Join the Online Bible Studies Community at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Sign up today for our current study, Limitless Life by Pastor Derwin Gray.

 

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