I’ve had the privilege of studying the book of Matthew with women of all ages and walks of life in a weekly Community Bible Study in my city. This study has really hit me where I’m vulnerable and exposed some messy areas of my life. It’s been encouraging to see other women in my group share that it’s been equally revealing and difficult for them.
You see, if life is messy, mom life is the messiest of the mess. Literally… as I type this sitting next to 2 half eaten bowls of apple sauce, a plum with one bite out of it, trash left on the table from a lunchable, and I’m stepping on some cheerios). But the mess also hits us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Some evidences are visible to outsiders, such as the fact that I have someone else’s spaghetti sauce on my shirt, I have dark circles under my eyes, and every dish I own is my sink with gnats buzzing around it. Other parts of the mess are easier to hide. When I’m by myself, I get angry with my children and lose my cool. I judge other moms for [insert ridiculous reasons here]. I am jealous of how well behaved that mom across the park’s kids are and feel jealous, angry, and ashamed all at the same time. Mom life is the messiest of the mess. Are you willing to show other people all of your mom life mess? Or do you want to hide?
Connecting Mom Life Mess With The Gospel
It’s very difficult to open up and be honest with other moms for fear of looking bad, losing our “put together” reputation, being judged or belittled. To say to another mom, “I love Jesus but I came really close to smacking the daylights out of my kid yesterday” or “I would love to have you come over but am embarrassed by how messy my home is” takes serious courage.
One of my main goals for Messy Tired Love is to remove the barriers that we moms put between ourselves and between us and the gospel. Each devotional aims to connect everyday mom moments with the truth of the gospel – poop, puke, anger, messy homes, sinful hearts and all.
We desperately need God – look up! He designed us to need each other – look beside you! And he created our children to need us – look down! These three truths, when we are open and genuine and real with one another, is what makes mom life worthy of God’s design. When we hide inside ourselves or in our messy homes, we miss the community that not only benefits us, but also our children. When our mom life is messy, we can still develop children who love Jesus.
Real Life Is Messy – The (in)courage Devotional Bible helps you find God in the midst of it.
As I’ve been reading through Matthew, I’ve been using the [in]courage devotional Bible. (I was given a copy of this Bible for free for my review. All opinions are my own.) And I’m in love. Not because it’s a beautiful Bible or has amazing resources (which it does), but because the devotionals are genuine. Here’s one of the first devotionals I read in the (in)courage Devotional Bible: Parenting and the Beatitudes. Take a minute to zoom in on the photo and read it.
How honest and genuine is that? Connecting the beatitudes with real life mom moments = life changing. I love that she admits her 5-year-old has screaming, flailing temper-tantrums. Because aren’t 5-year-olds supposed to be old enough to not do that? You mean my 4-year-old is acting normal AND it’s going to continue for awhile. I want to take a minute to say THANK YOU to the devotional writer for being honest and open because it makes me feel more confident as a mother. Maybe I’m not ruining everything after all.
If you struggle with the tough, messy stuff in motherhood, I encourage you to check out the (in)courage Devotional Bible. It will make you want to dive deeper into God’s Word while also connecting with the other women and mothers who contributed words of wisdom throughout it’s pages.
The (in)courage Devotional Bible includes:
- Devotional themes
- Beautiful Brokenness
- Better Together
- Daily Grace
- Everyday Leadership
- Friendship on Purpose
- Hope in the Hard
- Imperfect Hospitality
- INtentional Gratitude
- Second Chances
- The Scared Brave
- 10, 5-week Reading Plans (that follow the themes)
- 52 Reflective Devotionals (these are anchors for the reading plans)
- 260 free-standing devotions
- 50 Women of courage character spotlights
- Easy to read and beautifully laid out book introductions
- Journaling space on every page
I really can’t say enough good things about the (in)courage Devotional Bible. If you’re looking for a new resource to jump start your quiet time with God in the midst of messy motherhood, this is it.
Enter To Win A Copy Of The (in)courage Devotional Bible!
Enter to win your very own copy of the (in)courage Devotional Bible here!
If you’d like to read more about the Bible, you can do so at www.incouragebible.com.
MORE RESOURCES FOR THE GOSPEL-CENTERED MOMMA
Check out our resources page for even more game-changing resources for the gospel-centered momma. All of the resources have been or are personally used by me (Kristina) and are among the best of the best: resources to dive deeper into your faith, children’s books and bibles, and parenting books.
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!
Love your honesty which is so refreshing. Yes, we need to break down the walls and barriers and not feel judged. Thank you