by contributing writer, Kristin L. Nelson at Not Alone Mom.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2

We need to remember as mothers we can’t do it on our own… we will inevitably get tired and weary -and that’s OK.  We just need to remember where our “help comes from,” where our strength comes from… it comes from Him; from Him above.  He is waiting for us to release the pressures of the day and the pressure we feel to be the “perfect” mother. 

Release your cares to Him and He will be faithful to lift them from you.

Release your thoughts and fears to Him and He will restore your weary soul.

Be careful not to place unrealistic expectations on yourself as a mother… you can only do what you can do – give the rest to Him.  He wants to free you from the burden of perfection and replenish your soul with His love and mercy.

He says, “Be still and KNOW that I am God…”  Psalm 46:10

I often feel the pressure to do everything just right… and to do it all with a smile.  Rarely do I show mercy on myself when I have a bad moment; a moment where I am impatient with my children…a moment when I raise my voice with them and am too harsh.  I need to show the same mercy on myself that Christ shows to me.  He looks at me with compassion knowing that I will ultimately mess up at times… and that’s OK.  It’s what I do when I mess up that matters most.  Do I dwell on the mistake or do I pick myself up and look to Him for forgiveness, for strength, and for the wisdom I need to improve myself moving forward?

Today I challenge you – show mercy on yourself when you make mistakes as a mama.  You are doing the best you can and that is all anyone, including yourself, can ask of you.

A mother’s heart is such a beautiful thing… our hearts are big… when we love, we love big, when we hurt, we hurt big… Allow your heart to turn to Him “big”… love Christ for He first loved you… this will replenish your strength allowing you just breath – God’s got you.  You are not alone.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28