I remember the days when I felt completely worthless as a mom.

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It was during my daughter’s teenage years when I was still trying to figure out how to instill healthy values in her, how to not escalate an argument with her by how I responded, and how to not be a legalist when it came to her preferences that were different than mine.

So many times I found myself apologizing to her with the words “I’m still trying to figure this out. I’ve never been a mom to a teenager before.”

I’m such a loser, I would tell myself. Oh, how I wish I knew back then what I know now:

God had appointed me to be her mother because He knew how desperately I’d need to depend on Him to get me through. And He had every intention of helping me be the Mom He designed me to be.

Looking back on those years now, Dana wasn’t really a challenge at all. I was just trying to be the best mom I could and felt like I was failing through most of it. But God was faithful every step of the way.

Parenting can be scary when we see our children make choices we wouldn’t have made, when they start walking a path that looks uncertain to us, or when they no longer want our opinion or watchful eye on them. We fondly remember how closely they would cling to our legs, only to see them now run with all their might to get away from our arms. And yet… the God who made you mother of each of your children didn’t make a mistake. He knew exactly what you were capable — and incapable — of. And He stands ready to be your Right Hand.

In Psalm 16:8, David the Psalmist said: I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

God is at your right hand, too, whispering wisdom, offering comfort and providing peace just when you need it.

During those times when I felt like a lousy mom, I drew my greatest strength from Philippians 4:6-7Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Such simple words that, when heeded,  made all the difference in the world: Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.

And the result when I did? Peace like I’d never known it. A huge part of that peace was the realization that God had me right where He wanted me…depending on Him, seeking His wisdom, coming to Him with my concerns, and confident that He had appointed me, over any other woman in the world, to be my daughter’s mom.

You, too, have been appointed, over every other woman in the world, to be YOUR child’s mother. Gain confidence in that. And lean into the One who can help you every step of the way.

It WILL be a Happy Mother’s Day this weekend because you are right where God wants you to be — depending on Him to be the mother He designed you to be.

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