The Word ... Mommy Style

Travis and I hosted the last play group luncheon. We are so blessed to have such an awesome mommy network in our Church family. I am so thankful for these friends and mentors and baby buddies for Travis. It takes a village to raise these babies so I'm so thankful that we are all in this together.

Most in the group are first-time mommies so we are always bouncing ideas off of each other, asking for advice, sharing our struggles, offering encouragement, and lifting each other up in prayer. A couple of weeks ago, one of my awesome mommy friends was a little down when her little guy up and decided to stage a sleep revolt.  She emailed me asking me to remind her how much she loved her fussy and non-sleeping (but precious nonetheless) son.  Out of nowhere (of course, God planted it in my mommy brain), I typed her the verse that I've used for Travis countless times, but added my own twist that seemed applicable to her situation.

Every good and perfect gift [even if they don't sleep] is from above.

James 1:17

She posted the story on her blog, and within the day, it showed up on two other mommy blogs.  It kinda dawned on us that maybe other mommies' have the same idea.  Take the special verses that speak to your heart and "mommify" them.  Krista dubbed this version of the Word the Exhausted New Mothers' Version (or ENM Version).  We asked our friends for contributions and we have a little list going.  If you think of some more, be sure and leave me a comment or shoot me an email.  We'd love to have a big compilation of these to e-mail around to expectant moms and new parents.  Lord knows that we can all use a Godly pick-me-up from time to time.

 

-Be joyful always (even if when you are pulling your hair out because your kid did THAT thing, AGAIN), pray continually (for a bit more patience and maybe an extra hour of sleep, pretty please); give THANKS in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you (even if it is changing the 6th explosive poop diaper within 3 hours) in Christ Jesus.

1 Thess 5:16-18

-[Moms] can do everything through Him who gives [us] strength.

Phil 4:13

-Therefore, as God's chosen [mommies], holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Col 3:12

-Whatever you do [cook, clean, feed, play, nurture, and love], do it all for the glory of God.

1 Cor 10:31
 
-For with God nothing [including potty training] shall be impossible.
 
Luke 1:37
 
-But blessed is the [mom] who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.  [S]he will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
 
-Whatever you do [laundry, laundry, and more laundry], work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
 
Colossians 3:23-24
 
-As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you [so quit having a pity party and hand your worries over to Me!]; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.
 
Isaiah 66:13


-For I know the plans I have for you [and I promise it's more than just poopy diapers and sleepless nights] declares the Lord...

Jeremiah 29:11

-Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverence [in other words, laugh at the lipstick writing on the walls!].

James 1:2

-Do not be anxious about anything [not even sleep training], but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
 
Phillipians 4:6

-Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles [like when our little angels won't stop crying or they keep us up all night], so that we can comfort those [other exhausted new moms] in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Cor 1:3-4

-For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us [and the tiny sweet voices of children] to the glory of God.

2 Cor 1:20

-Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away [since we no longer have time to focus on ourselves], yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day [by the incredible joy our babies bring into our lives]. For our light and momentary troubles [like diaper blowouts and screaming fits] are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

2 Cor. 4:16-17

-Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always [to help you through the terrible two tantrums]!

Psalm 105:4

-For this (obstinate, defiant, whiny, not-napping, little terror, crazy, exhausting, wonderful, sweet, precious, delightful, amazing, smart, talented, etc.) child I prayed, and the the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him.


1 Samuel 1:27
 
Fun, right?  I'd love to see some more so join in!!  One of our super-talented and crafty mommies has even put an ENM Version Verse on a cute little wall hanging on Etsy.  Love being a part of this awesome network of Godly women.

Xoxo,
Gara