Have you heard the phrase “hot mess mom” before? Peek through the window of her home with me for a minute…
The Hot Mess Mom
Her house is a disaster. She’s frantically trying to control her children as they run in circles screaming. Or maybe, depending on the exact day we are peeking in, she is instead lounging on the couch eating from the ice cream carton with a mixing spoon (while her kids are doing laps around her). When she leaves the house, she is always late and doesn’t bother making excuses. As she goes about her day, doing this and that, everything she does is done half-heartedly because there are 100 things vying for her attention and she can’t focus. Oh, and her hair doesn’t have red highlights. That’s just dried spaghetti sauce from last night’s dinner. She didn’t even notice it was there because life is crazy and loud and she didn’t have time to shower.
Have you ever been a hot mess mom? Me too. Your version might look a little less or a little more crazy than the picture we just saw. And that’s OK. There are days when life gets away from us and we feel 5 steps behind. It’s normal and what real life looks like sometimes.
The Proverbs 31 Mom
Have you heard of the “Proverbs 31 woman” before? Let’s switch views and peek through the window of her home for a minute…
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
PLEASE DON’T LEAVE! I’m not telling you to be the perfect Proverbs 31 woman and neither is the Bible. The “Proverbs 31 woman” is so intimidating because she seems so perfect and does so much. Take a deep breath. We do not have to be perfect, nor can we be. And we definitely don’t have to make and sell linen garments and wake up before sunrise. Although, if that’s your style – go for it! But that’s not the point of this chapter in Proverbs.
Be The Mom That Brings Jesus To The Crazy
First and foremost, the Proverbs 31 mom fears the Lord (verse 30). If you identify as a hot mess mom, it’s likely because your priorities aren’t to have the perfect home, the perfect schedule, and to make appearances for everyone else’s sake. I’m willing to bet your children are happy. And if you are a hot mess mom that is reading this book, you are being intentional about being a mom that points your children to Jesus.
You can be a hot mess mom and a Proverbs 31 mom. Go back and reread verses 25-29.
You can be a #hotmessmom and a #Proverbs31 mom. Here's how... Click To TweetStrength. Dignity. Wisdom.
Watches over the affairs of her house. Not idle. Children call her blessed.
Praised by the hubby.
Today, I feel terrible. My throat hurts, it’s “that time of the month,” and my kids both have colds and are grumpy. I snuck bites of triple dark chocolate ice cream and watched a dozen Magic School Bus episodes throughout my day. I told my husband when I picked him up from work, “The house is still a disaster. We just hung out and played today.” He kissed my forehead and replied, “you’re a great mom”. He didn’t say one negative word as he stepped over toys and had to hunt for the diapers when it was his turn to change our youngest. In between meltdowns and food-slinging at dinner, we prayed together. The whole family played and read books. We sang the night-night song before bed. I love that this is the way my family brings Jesus to the crazy. It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated – pray, be patient, and keep an eternal perspective.
You are reading this because you want to be a mom who leaves a legacy that reflects Jesus. You can leave a legacy that reflects Christ even when your daily life seems chaotic. It’s honorable and noble to raise a family and manage a home. And it’s REALLY stinkin’ hard. If you’ve ever said, “I’m just a mom,” please don’t ever let those words come out of your mouth again. You are a reflection of Christ!
Daily Reflection
Reread Proverbs 31, underlining or making notes about what your strengths are and where you would like to grow. Pray about your mom life and ask God to reveal areas where you can grow and learn to be more like him.
How can you bring Jesus to the crazy today?
How can you bring Jesus to the crazy today? We can be both the #hotmessmom and the #proverbs31woman Click To TweetRead More Devotionals About Leaving Your Mom Legacy
This is a devotional except from Leaving Your Mom Legacy: A 30-Day Devotional On Reflecting Christ In Motherhood, available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. Order yours today!
For more one day devotionals from Messy Tired Love, click here. To learn more about these devotionals for Christian moms, click here.
Welcome to Messy Tired Love! The devotionals you'll find here aim to connect your everyday mom moments to the truth of the gospel. I hold nothing back as I share my story that's filled with lots of messy, tired, but oh-so-filled-with-love moments. I have three little blessings, that together with God's Word are the inspiration for these devotionals. I hope you will be encouraged, and maybe even get a good laugh, while exploring these devotionals. Much love!
Loved this! Motherhood is one of the most difficult things we can face and when we can do it with grace and love, it’s so much better!
So much better. Thanks for stopping by!
I love this. I tell my daughter all the time that she’s Mary and I’m Martha. I need more reflection time and less work. I may have a clean bathroom, but somewhere I’m a hot mess. It’s usually in my attempt to be like the Cat in the Hat. I want to have all the things in the air while hopping on one foot. But I want strength, dignity and wisdom more. Thanks for the reminder.
I love that visual and it fits perfectly! And you’re right…there are many ways we can be a hot mess mom. It doesn’t always mean a messy house. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks for sharing this! I feel like I’m a hot mess mom more than I’m not these days…but I’m so grateful for God’s grace that doesn’t judge me for it but helps! Great post. Appreciate it much!