Encouragement for the Tired Mom
Years ago, I heard a story about a little girl who had the nickname, “Tiger.” She was a wild child. Unruly, disobedient, even kinda crazy. Her parent’s loved her, but she was a lot to handle. One day it dawned on the parents that every time they called her name, they were speaking the wildness of an animal over her. They decided to try a little experiment. They began to call her “Angel” instead of “Tiger.”
Almost immediately her behavior began to change. She started to obey, she settled down, and she became a delight to be around. The words that were being spoken over her every day were affecting who she was becoming.
When one of my boys was little, he was a handful! I felt like all I did was correct and discipline this poor child. I knew I loved him, but I wasn’t sure I liked him. I was so tired. I just wanted him to listen!
One night, I went to a Girl’s Night Out with a bunch of moms from my church. I sat at the table talking to my friends about my son and how difficult he had been lately. I thought I would feel better about my situation because I had a group of friends who supported me and encouraged me. Instead, when I got home I felt terrible! I realized I had not spoken one nice thing about my son all evening. All I had done was complain about how difficult he had been lately.
I was heartbroken. I never wanted that to happen again. I promised myself that would be the last time I would talk about this child in such a negative way. I began to speak life TO this child and ABOUT this child. I looked for the good and said it out loud. I told him what a good boy he was. I told him how proud I was to be his mom. I reminded him that he was smart and obedient and loved.
I began to see a shift in his behavior. He didn’t change over night, but he did start to obey more often. And my focus shifted from the difficulties to the good things.
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 ESV
If you are a mom tonight who is tired, worn out, and exhausted, I get it. I’ve been there. If you feel like you have tried everything and it is not getting better- I understand how you feel. I’ve been there too. But let me encourage you! YOU are doing a great job mom! God chose YOU to be that child’s mom. He knew exactly what you needed and exactly what your child needed and He put you together. YOU can do this! Speak life over that child. Choose to find something good and speak it out loud. If you are not encouraging your child, who is?
Can I pray for you?
Dear Heavenly Father, Tonight I pray for the tired moms. The exhausted moms. The moms who have tried everything they know to try and it still doesn’t seem to be working. I ask that You would give them strength. Fill them with fresh energy, fresh ideas and creativity, and a desire to speak life over their children. Jesus be our strength when we are weak. Amen.
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