The Moments When I Know I’ve Done Something Right

There are those moments when I know I’ve done something right.  

It’s not always.  It’s not even frequent enough for my liking.

But it does happen. 

I look at my kids — my beautiful, happy, fun family — and I wonder, “How did this happen?  How did I get this?”

God’s gift?  His grace?  Oh, absolutely!  Anything good that comes my way I have to credit to Him.  He is always the one filling in those gaps I leave behind.  And, believe me, I leave a lot of them.

But when we play games together and everyone is truly enjoying each other’s company, I realize I’ve done something right.  

When my kids dance together, and the family room is filled with the sound of their laughter, I’m pretty sure I’ve done something right.  

When there’s a mess to be cleaned up and adults there to do it, and I still see my kids jump into action to help, it makes me think maybe I’ve done something right.

When my kid confesses to what they know was wrong, even when concealing the truth would have been easy, I feel like I’ve done something right.  

When I see my child go talk to an elderly neighbor, just because they know that person is often alone and lonely, I think maybe I’ve done something right.

When I see a child run to open a door for someone else, I think, hey, maybe I’ve done something right!

When I’m shown a letter one child left for another and it’s filled with scripture and words of encouragement, I think, “Oh, Lord, maybe, by your grace, I’ve done something right!”  

 

Mamas, we spend so much time beating ourselves up.  

And part of that is because we know our own imperfections better than anyone.  We know how selfish we really are and how often we fail and how much we fall short.  Owning up to that, I think, is a good thing.  It keeps us humble.  It should remind us we can’t do this mothering thing on our own and in our own strength.

But it doesn’t hurt from time to time to stop a moment and recognize our successes.  What we’re doing right may show itself in different ways depending on our stage of motherhood, but it’s likely there, and when we see it for what it is, we can work to do more of it, trusting, ALWAYS, in the God who is so gracious to fill in those gaps we leave behind.  

In spite of all your failures, mamas, you’re likely doing something right.  Just look for it.  And grow it.  And trust in God to help you with the rest.

Wishing moms everywhere a very happy and blessed Mother’s Day.