How God sees us in motherhood

    A few days ago, my kids and I made our way to our local golf course to catch the hills for sledding. After several runs up and down the hills, I told the kids I was going to venture down the hill and take a walk in nature for a few minutes alone. They followed me down (mom radar!), and to our surprise, we stumbled across a sparrow struggling in the deep white snow all by herself.
    My 8-year-old daughter Rebekah was the first to arrive on the scene and noticed the bird couldn’t fly even when it flapped its wings. She reached out her gloves and scooped up the bird even though I cautioned her not to mess with the bird.
    “I’m fine mom. I have gloves on,” she said. I didn’t argue with her.
    The kids and I continued to watch the bird, and Rebekah kept following it and picking it up. It was sad to see the struggle.
    It reminded me of how in motherhood there are times I feel like that little sparrow just making her way through the trenches, yet deeply struggling to survive. The challenges involved in raising children can be overwhelming. It’s hard work that often goes unnoticed and is rarely praised.
    Half the time, I’m just hoping I’m doing it right and praying, “God help me not to ruin my kids.” And then I pray that the love I bestow on them far outweighs my sin and failures.
    Inward struggles exist as well — battling a stubborn sinful nature, impatience, anger, pride, worry, comparisons, depression and anxiety to name a few.
    That afternoon on the golf course reminded me of how Jesus sees and watches over the sparrow. How much more does he watch over me?
    “Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns — and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

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