The feeling that you are not enough or doing enough for your children (or husband). That if only you could “get it together”, life would be easier and more pleasant.

This often comes from comparing yourself to other moms based on outward appearance, their well behaved children, or from not living up to your own expectations of what a mother should be. It can be a dangerous place to let your mind wander or stay and can lead to depression, anxiety, fear, and not parenting fully from the truth of the Word and the Holy Spirit that God has gifted you as your guide and counselor. It is a sneaky tactic of the enemy to keep us from relying on God, beating ourselves up as never being enough, and not getting to experience the joy of our families.

How can the lies of mom guilt be stopped before they go too far?

3 Necessary Steps to Identifying and Combating Mom Guilt

1 – Realize You are Not Enough

You, in your own strength and flesh, are not enough. You and your spouse together are not enough. You will never know all of the answers or how to parent perfectly. But this does not mean you are without hope or should just give up.

Instead of figuring it out on your own or with Google or Instagram, turn to the One who DOES know it all and DOES have all the answers.

When we can get to a place of recognizing our need for a Savior in ALL aspects of life,

we will find freedom of the burden of mom guilt.

Guilt is not something we are meant to carry when we are in Christ. If your burdens feel heavy, then you are likely carrying something you should not be carrying. Jesus said when we turn to Him and rely on Him, our burdens will be easy and our yokes light (Matthew 11:29-30).

So how does that actually happen? Can we really live a life with easy burdens and light yokes? Does this mean everything will work out perfectly?

2 – Live out of Your Identity in Christ

Absolutely not! And absolutely at the same time!! It all comes down to perspective. Maybe in your perspective nothing is perfect and the heavy burdens will never stop. But when we rely on the Lord and ask Him to help us, He can help change our perspective not only on our circumstances around us but who we are and how we approach issues as they come up.

The most freeing part of the Gospel that I think gets overlooked too often is who we now are in Christ. It is easy as a believer to spend an abundance of time focusing on your sin, especially as a mom!

But God didn’t redeem us to spend the entirety of our lives sulking in our sin and worrying we’re always screwing up.

God gave us new life in Him to have NEW LIFE – free of condemnation, guilt, and shame (Romans 8:1-2). He wants us to live freely from our identity in what Christ accomplished and wants us to show our number one opportunities to share the Gospel with – our children – what a life looks like when they believe.

I want to clarify that when we screw up, it is still important to confess your sin and repent before the Lord. This not only restores any distance you have placed between you and Him but also keeps us humble of who He is – a righteous, sovereign God – and who we are – saints ONLY through the sacrifice of Jesus. It keeps us in a place of praise and worship before the most worthy King.

It’s important to note that the point of God giving us new life and identity in Christ is for HIS glory not for us to look or feel good.

If you truly start to understand all that was accomplished through Christ’s sacrifice, it will bring you to your knees in worship, give you a desire to seek to live a holy life, and will convict you of your sins and lead you to repentance. You will realize how unworthy you are and how worthy God is. You will clearly see how undeserving you are of this precious gift and gratitude will flow from your life. Through all of this, your perspective will begin to change. It will stop being just about you and your comfortable life and more about God’s glory being shown and His will being accomplished. You will start to see things from the broader perspective of eternity instead which will change everything. You can find additional resources and more information on identity in Christ in these books.

3 – Trust God’s Grace is Enough

As we continue to walk in the flesh on this side of heaven, we will never do it all perfectly. That’s where God’s perfect grace continues to shine through every single day. In our weakness He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). In our failures He is sovereign, gracious, and good (Colossians 1:16-17, Romans 8:28).

Realizing that God loves your children more than you do, has good plans for them, and never gives up pursuing them can be a very freeing experience.

Of course, we should strive to parent well out of the Spirit’s leading and the truth of the Bible. But we will mess up. Maybe every now and then or maybe every day (that’s me).

But when you do mess up it does NOT mean you are ruining your kids’ lives or their chances for becoming believers. God’s bigger than our mistakes. He does not give up on you or your children. He will faithfully continue to pursue and love unconditionally because He cares more about you and your children’s hearts and souls than about temporary circumstances or you doing it all perfectly.

His will is not reliant on you and me. It is reliant on Him alone. While He allows us to be a part of His kingdom work, we also can’t screw it up. He will accomplish what He has set out to do one way or another. There is freedom coming to this place – accepting God’s unconditional love and grace and trusting that we can’t mess up His will.

As long as we’re seeking Him and spending time with Him, our desire will be to please Him, and He will start aligning our hearts with His.

Due to the battle that exists within our own flesh and the enemy that currently rules this earth, we will never do it perfectly. This is where we can lean into trusting His promises that what He begins He will bring to completion (Philippians 1:6). One way or another, His will will be accomplished.

We can trust Him. His love for us far exceeds what we could even imagine (Ephesians 3:19). So instead of sitting in guilt or shame for every screw up, come humbly before the Lord and receive the forgiveness He already laid out on the cross. You can trust from that place, He will meet you and surround you with His peace, love, grace, and reassurance that He is in control.

10 Bible Verses to Combat Mom Guilt

Meditate on these verses during your day to remind yourself of the redemption, grace, and sovereignty of the Lord.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:1 ESV

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NLT

“For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—”

Philippians 3:3 ESV

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Romans 6:4 NIV

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NLT

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.”

Psalm 139:14-16 ESV

Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

“for through him God created everything
    in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
    and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
    Everything was created through him and for him.
 He existed before anything else,
    and he holds all creation together.”

Colossians 1:16-17 NLT

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

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Tip #1 – Keep your Bible Handy

For me, it’s in the living room. I often find myself reading when the boys are watching a tv show in the morning. I have a routine where I get my husband’s breakfast, coffee, and lunch ready then sit and read my Bible and pray while the boys watch some morning TV. You may not be a fan of your kids watching TV, which I think is amazing!! I wish I had the patience to not need the distraction of TV to keep me sane and the boys occupied. If you are one of those awesome ones that don’t do TV, find some other activity in the mornings to keep your kids occupied. Depending on their age, it could be quiet reading time, coloring sheets, board games, playdoh, or crafts (that don’t need your help).

Whenever and wherever you decide would be the best place to do it, keep a Bible, journal, and pen there. Maybe there are a couple of rooms you’ll bounce between. Have a Bible, journal, and pen in each place. That way the resource is always there. It can also help serve as a reminder when you put it in a place you are often. Sometimes you may need to carry it around with you. Sometimes I’ll take my Bible into the kitchen while I’m getting the boys’ breakfast ready. It may not be the quietest or most ideal situation, but I am getting the Living Bread and Water so I can move forward in my day. Whatever it looks like for you, trust that ANY time you spend in God’s Word is not wasted. So even if you only get 5 minutes, it is the most worthwhile 5 minutes you’ll spend that day.

Another note – I love studying in a Study Bible. It has commentary and notes about connected verses you can look up that drives your study even deeper. My two favorite study Bibles I’ve ever had are the Quest Study Bible and Scofield Study Bible.

Tip #2 – Aim for a time but have flexibility

I like to do mine first thing in the morning (after getting the hubby off to work). I made a decision that I was going to have my quiet time before I did anything else (like get on my computer/phone/social media). Most days this happens, but (especially with kids) not every day will go as planned. Give yourself some GRACE on these days. It’s OK, if it didn’t get done right on time or by a certain schedule. Try to find time to fit it in as the day goes on. Like I said previously even 5 minutes is worth it. Maybe it’s giving up 5 minutes on Facebook while the kids nap or at school or maybe you don’t get to it until you’re about to go to sleep. It doesn’t really matter when you do it, it just matters that you are showing up and spending time with your Maker.

Tip #3 – Have accountability

This is one I’m not great about because I don’t like having accountability. Let’s be honest, how many people really love accountability?! I like to freedom to skip things and not feel guilty about it. I do say enter into this one cautiously if you are like me. The purpose of spending time with the Lord is for yours and His relationship to deepen and grow. For Him to continue to shape you to become more like Him. It is not something you should do because you feel like you “have to” or are “expected to”. If you aren’t doing it for the right reasons you probably will not get much out of it. But if you come willingly and humbly expecting to hear from the Lord, every second will be worth it.

I think if you are going to get accountability through a friend, mentor, or spouse, make sure to ask someone who will not make you feel bad if you miss a day or have a bad week. That’s not the purpose of it. It should be someone who is excited for you and what you’re learning. Someone who encourages you to get into the Word for the benefits it will provide you. Someone who will extend grace in the rough times and pray and encourage you in your current circumstances. If you are going to seek out accountability, keep these things in mind when selecting someone. It should be an encouraging source of community not a condemning source of legalism. Why does it work / why is it important? and how do you do it properly?

Tip #4 – Share with others when you get interrupted

We all know too often that when you have a family as soon as you sit down to do something, it will get interrupted. Instead of getting frustrated and losing it, try talking to your kids (or spouse) about what you are reading about. Share what God is teaching you. Then it will turn into a teaching experience for you, which help you understand on an even deeper level, and a learning experience for your kids (or spouse). We all could use more of God’s Word so it is a win-win.

Tip #5 – Journal

I love journaling. I wish I had more time to devote to it. Getting everything out on paper helps me to retain and grow even deeper in understanding. That’s one reason why I love to blog. Writing things out can bring healing, hope, restoration, understanding, and clarity. It can take those jumbled up thoughts in your head and make them finally make sense. When I journal during my quiet time, I like to write out the scripture I’m reading, any things that stand out to me, thoughts I have about the scripture, ways I think it could be applied to my every day, and prayers and praises. That is a lot! But it helps to keep it organized into blocks if you’re a more organized person. If you are more free-flowing then just start writing and you’d be amazed at what God says to you during that time!

Grab a beautiful journal like this Keepsake Journal for an even more in depth Bible study experience.

Tip #6 – Pray and meditate all day

This is one reason why I like to read in the morning. I find myself thinking back to what I read all day. This is great to keep your mind focused on the Word and how God is teaching you through it. Sometimes I only have 5 minutes to read in the morning, but by the end of the day I’ve thought on what I read most of the day and can have a significant deeper understanding. It’s really amazing to see how God can use a few minutes to help redirect your thoughts all day.

Sticky Notes!! Write down key verses or thoughts you had during your quiet time then place them around your house. At the kitchen sink, on the bathroom mirror, or a table you sit by a lot. This will keep you thinking of things, and is also great at helping you passively memorize Scripture! I had a Bible verse in the center console of my car for years, and I still have that Scripture memorized even though I’ve had a new car for 6 years now. If you’re into all things cute, here’s some of my favorite sticky notes.

Prayer is another important aspect to spending time in the Word. It’s when you can directly talk to the Lord about everything going on. I find I have the best days when I am constantly praying throughout the day. I never do it perfectly, but if I can take the time to stop and pray instead of responding out of frustrating to the kids, I am a much nicer mommy. It also helps if I continually pray about what I read that morning, asking God to reveal what it means and how I can apply it to my life. Learning how to talk to God as you go through your day will bring you more intimacy with Him which results in more peace, patience, compassion, and love.

Tip #7 – Follow a Plan

Lately I have been enjoying reading through books of the Bible. I started in Matthew and read 1-2 full chapters a day. Then depending on the day, I can either meditate and journal in the moment or I have to meditate on it as the day goes on. Some people love this approach. You can do it with any part of the Bible. I will be honest that I have tried many “reading through the Bible” plans, and it’s just not for me. I get lost in the Old Testament and end up giving up. I think if you can follow one of those plans straight through you are amazing!! I prefer to have smaller bite size pieces so I don’t feel so overwhelmed. So I usually just stick with a book at a time.

I am also a huge fan of devotionals! But I think when you’re having quiet time the bulk of learning will come directly from God’s Word. So if I have a devotional that only has a verse or two in it, I will take it a step further and read the whole chapter that verse is in. Some of my favorite devotionals are 31 Days of Praise, and 100 Days of Joy and Strength (who doesn’t love Candance Cameron Bure?!). If you’re looking for a new devotional and not sure what you’d like, read the reviews! Use Amazon, Lifeway, or Dayspring to look at what others say about it. I always like to read the best and the worst reviews and prayerfully decide from that.

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The post 7 Tips to Stay Consistent in God’s Word for Busy Moms (plus 5 free Bible reading plans) first appeared on This Momma Needs Grace.

There’s nothing that keeps me more intentional with my time than my kids. Realizing that what I say and do is impacting them every minute sometimes hits me hard. Other times when I’m really frustrated I forget all about that. But as we approach the most wonderful time of the year, let’s strive to keep our minds focused on the true meaning of Christmas so we can point those little minds to what truly matters.

The Birth of Jesus is not something to be taken lightly. It’s not just another “story” to tell. It was the most life changing and sacrificial gift God could ever give. Imagine giving up your child, even for a season, to help a bunch of people doing bad things. As we remember the hugeness of this gift, it will help us be more passionate and intentional with our families during this season.

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1 – Talk about it

Kids are smart and are sponges. Even when they are very little. We decided we were not going to “do Santa” with our kids before we even had them. We just didn’t feel comfortable with the idea. Although we may share the true story of Saint Nicholas, we do not want our kids to believe a man in a red suit is watching them all the time. We don’t mind them enjoying Santa as a story for fun, but we really want them to know the true meaning of Christmas from a young age.

But Santa is EVERYWHERE. We cannot watch anything or go anywhere without Santa being there. So when Santa comes up, I use that as a challenge to turn that into a conversation about the true meaning of Christmas. Try to challenge yourself to turn the topics of gifts, Santa Claus, and even generosity into the Nativity story where the greatest gift of all humanity was given. Just keep talking about Jesus and the true meaning of the season with them.

2 – Get an alternative Elf on the Shelf

I will admit the Elf on the Shelf is a fun idea! I wanted to find a good alternative with a Christian spin on it. I came across a couple options.

Shepherd on the Search

The basic premise of having something hide or “do” something every night is the same, but it’s a Shepherd instead of an Elf. It comes with a book that will help you explain to the kids that the shepherd is on the search for baby Jesus. Every night you can move him, and the next morning have the kids help you find him as he’s on his way to find Jesus. Then on Christmas morning you can have him with baby Jesus in a nativity scene.

Dayspring has all sorts of awesome resources that go along with Shepherd on the Search. There’s a puzzle and a couple advent calendar options. You can look around and see the options and what would work best for your family. We personally went with the large floor puzzle and the Shepherd on the Search kit.

Our Shepherd has been busy making cookies, playing with stickers, sneaking snacks, and coloring in addition to many other fun activities! He likes to do activities with our boys in the mornings.

The Giving Manger

The Giving Manger is a little bit different than the Elf on the Shelf premise. It is all about acts of kindness. There is a book that goes along with it, a little manger, pieces of straw, and a baby Jesus. Your family is intentional every day to do acts of kindness, and with every one they can put a piece of straw in the manger. The goal is to get the manger full of “kindness” before Christmas morning when you can place baby Jesus in the manger.

I love the fact that this emphasizes acts of service. Christmas can be a great time for giving gifts, but sometimes we get so caught up in the “fun” things of Christmas we forget about basic kindness. It’s amazing that this gets the whole family involved in thinking of others during this time of year.

3 – Nativity

Nativity sets are an easy way to get your kids thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. We LOVE our Fisher Price set. They can play hands on with it without me worrying about something getting broken or messed up. I’m sure there are plenty of other kid friendly nativity sets out there.

We have multiple options in our house. We have 3 handmade sturdy wooden sets that I let my kids play with in addition to their Fisher Price set. They LOVE playing with the characters and the nativity scenes. It sets up so many great conversations about Jesus as well as gets their imaginations engaged.

You could even make a game out of it where you hide parts of the nativity, and when they find a piece you talk to them about what it represents and let them put it in the nativity. Then I’m sure the kids would love to hide the pieces and let you find them too!

4 – Books and Movies

There are tons of awesome movies and books out there now about the true meaning of Christmas. Instead of focusing on most mainstream Christmas stories, pick out one of the many options that are available.

Our favorite Nativity movie is The Star. It is so cute since it is the story of Jesus’ birth from the animals perspective. Our most favorite Nativity book is ‘Twas the Night: The Nativity Story. I cannot rave about this book enough. It is written like the traditional Twas the Night Before Christmas, but about the night Jesus was born. The boys (and I) love it so much we read it all year long.

5 – Birthday party for Jesus

One of my friends has done this for her kids ever since they were little. Now they are pre-teens and still love to do it! The idea is really simple. Just have a time set aside to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Make sure it is a separate time from when you’re doing other presents or Christmas things. It should be a special time just dedicated to Jesus’ birthday.

Make a cake, have yummy snacks, read the Christmas story from the Bible or a fun kid’s version, and you could even decorate like you would for one of your kid’s birthdays. They will love doing all the fun birthday things! And it will give you so much time to just talk with them about Jesus. If your kids are old enough, it would also be a great idea to let your kids pick out some of their toys to donate and then you can take them together to drop them off.

6 – Family Devotions

Take some time to sit down together as a whole family and do some devotionals during the Christmas season. There are lots of options of family devotions out there depending on the age of your kids. It doesn’t have to be a big long thing. Just something simple and to the point. You could do once it every Sunday for the 4 Sundays of advent. Or you could do something every day.

You can get some really cute options from Dayspring that have ornaments that go with each devotion. So you can read and talk about it and then let your kids decorate the tree with the ornament for that week.

Then on Christmas Eve or Christmas day take time to read the Christmas story from the Bible with your kids. It doesn’t take long. We always did this growing up and it’s one of my favorite memories/traditions from my childhood Christmases. You can also have family worship and prayer during this time too.

7 – Get Creative with the Nativity Story

Kids have amazing imaginations! And they love to get involved in doing creative things even when they are young. If you or your kids tend to enjoy creative exercises, you could have them act out the nativity story or recreate the nativity story with playdoh.

You can be the narrator the first time through, and then let your kids be the narrator for the next time through if they want to. My son loves to tell stories, like I’m sure many kids do. Then you can really see what they are understanding and learning about the Nativity story.

Recreating the nativity with playdoh is another way your child will get to use their imaginations freely. You can of course help them shape things, but if they want to I’d encourage you to let your children figure out how to do it on their own. It lets them think through each “character” in the story and what part they play.

8 – Play Christ Centered Christmas Music

One of our favorite things is to sing classic Christmas carols. Many of these are centered on Jesus so they make great, easy options for you to turn kid’s thoughts back to Jesus. I usually just stick with the simple chorus if little kids want to sing along.

There are also all sorts of music options for kids that are Christ centered. Our most favorite Christian children’s artist is Slugs and Bugs. They have songs that are silly and songs that are centered on Christ. If you haven’t tried them, I would look them up! Even for non-Christmas time they have so many fun options for kids. They are our kids very favorite music to listen to.

You can play this music any time – in the car or at home. We like to have dance parties and sing-a-longs in our house to make the music even more fun. Fill your house with the joy of Christ!

9 – Teach Kids about the Meaning of the Candy Cane

The candy cane is based in Christian roots, and that fact is often overlooked, forgotten, or just unknown. This is a great story you can teach to your kids every year so that they will always remember what the candy cane really means.

Here is a great article that details the meaning of the candy cane. Depending on your child’s ability to pay attention and understand, you can tell them as much or as little as you’d like.

Here are some fun candy cane crafts you can do with your kids. And I also think doing some kind of baking, like peppermint brownies or cookies, with your toddler would also be a fun activity to tie in.

10 – Do Jesus Centered Crafts

Little kids love crafts!! And to me there’s nothing more fun than Christmas crafts! Here’s a site that is full of Christmas crafts for toddler aged kids. You can even use some to give as gifts to family and friends. I know grandparents always love a good handmade gift

Another fun idea would be to get some of these nativity shaped cookie cutters and then make salt dough ornaments or cookies with them. You could also get some kid friendly paint and use them as stamps.

While doing any of these crafts ideas, you can talk about what you’re doing, why, and how it relates to the Christmas story. There are so many ways to tie in the story of the greatest gift of all during Christmas time!

Just Keep Trying

Kids will be kids. Even if you try every day all day, they are still going to want gifts and probably want to talk about Santa. They’re going to want to watch the popular movies and listen to the fun Christmas songs. But the more you keep bringing up Jesus the more it is being imprinted in their little memories. What you are doing and saying matters. And it will last. So don’t give up!!

Keep speaking the truth in all circumstances on all the days, not just Christmas time. We have been entrusted to raise these little people up in the Lord, and that is not to be taken lightly. The more we point them back to Jesus and parent them out of the Spirit, the more God has a chance to work in their lives and bring them to Him.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

You got this momma! What is your favorite thing to do with your kids to point them back to Jesus?

The post How to Keep Jesus in Christmas for Little Kids first appeared on This Momma Needs Grace.

When I went to make my baby registry for my first baby, my husband and I invited my friend that already had some children. I literally had her take me by the hand to each aisle and tell me exactly what I needed. She would ask my opinion about something, and I would say “I don’t know! Whatever you say is best.” The whole thing was SO overwhelming for me, and I was thankful to have the wisdom and help of a seasoned parent to tell me what was important and what wasn’t. Through time I learned what worked best for my family and my baby, but in the beginning I needed the extra help.

That is why I wanted to write this post! I want to provide those searching for some advice or have no clue where to start on their baby registry to have a guide to help jump start the journey for you. I do not expect you to follow it exactly of course but use it as a guide to help point you in the right direction. We are all different so I encourage you to do your research and decide what’s best for you and your family, but I will give you my advice on things that worked well for my family.

I recommend registering for items you can use with your baby for the first year so that’s why I included some feeding items such as silverware, bowls, and snack cups. If you don’t feel like you need to worry about these things yet and don’t want to register for them, then skip them! It’s up to you. Whatever you feel like you will need to get started with baby!

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Feeding

• Bottles – I recommend starting with a set of 2-4 4-5 oz bottles of one brand to get started. You may have to hand wash some to get through the day if the baby is exclusively bottle fed, but I think it is worth it in the end. We spent a lot of money trying to find a bottle that worked for our baby. Dr. Brown’s ended up being the best fit for us for both babies. You may find a different one that works for your baby though. That’s why I recommend buying them in smaller quantities until you figure out what works rather than wasting a lot of money on a bunch of bottles you won’t use.
• Variety of nipple sizes – See what comes with your bottle set and get what else you would need. The smaller the nipple size will be for the younger they are. So usually it’s like Level 0 would be for a newborn and Level 4 would be 9+ months. The package will describe an approximate time to transition to the next level of nipple. And once you learn more about what your baby needs, you’ll be able to figure out the best time to transition.
• Bottle Warmer – I think this would be personal preference. We didn’t just love ours, but it was a more basic one. You can get as fancy or simple that you think would help you.
• Bottle Sterilizer – You can always boil the bottles and pump parts to sterilize them, but I found these Baby Bottle Brush with One Base Hidden Nylon Nipple Cleaner, 2 Pcs Sponge Nipple Brushes, 2 Pcs Straw Brushes, Bottle Brush with Nipple Cleaner and Stand, Bottle Brush with Suction Cup, Green“>one though. It will help get all those nooks and crannies you have to clean.
• Dishwasher Basket – If you are planning on putting any bottle/breast pump parts in the dishwasher, I highly recommend getting a basket for the top rack. It makes life tons easier.
• Bottle Drying Rack – I always liked this so that I could keep my bottles away from dishes that touched other foods. This one was my absolute favorite. It packed up and traveled in a breeze.
• Special detergent if desired – When I hand washed I liked to use this Babyganics dish soap on the baby stuff. This is totally personal preference though. You can use your regular dish detergent if you want!
• Bibs – This is mostly personal preference about what you like! But definitely register for some. I personally liked the ones with the plastic backing like these because it kept the clothes dry during feeding/spit up.
• Burp Cloths – Another must have! My first was a spitter, and we went through 6-7 burp cloths a day. We stocked up for our second, but he hardly ever spit up. Each baby is different, but it’s good to have a little on hand while you’re figuring it out. I personally preferred these old school cloth diapers for burp cloths because they are so absorbent.
• High Chair – We found this cheaper one worked well for our family. It was easy to clean, traveled well, and was affordable! You may want to do some research to decide what you like. I would recommend looking for one that wipes down easily because they get messy fast!
• Baby spoons – This will be for when the baby is a little older and starts eating. If you want to do baby led weaning, I highly recommend this one. If you want to do more traditional feeding, I really enjoyed these.
• Baby bowls and plates – I really liked these silicone ones because they stayed put better. I still use them with my 2 year old!
• Snack cups – I really liked these because the baby can reach in and get their own while cutting down on mess. There will probably still be mess, but it does cut down at least!
• If breastfeeding:
  • Breast Pump – check with your insurance because most give these for free. I have used both Medela and Spectra and prefer the Medela.
  • Extra Pump Parts – It’s good to have extra parts especially if you are going to be working or traveling and pumping and can’t wash the parts.
  • Milk Storage Bags – A must for saving milk! Especially if you’re a working mom and will be pumping a lot.
  • Nursing Cover – I’ve tried a couple different kinds, but one that has some space to look down at the baby and so the baby has room to move about is by far the best in my opinion.
  • Boppy Pillow – Great for a nursing support but can also be used for tummy time and support to lay baby on. Highly recommending having one!!

Bath

• Wash cloths and Towels – I think the ones with thicker material and a hood are more useful, but pick ones you like.
• Baby shampoo/body wash – I’ve tried many different kinds, but the one that worked best for my kids who both had sensitive skin and eczema is Aquaphor.
• Lotion – Again, I’ve tried many different kinds because both my kids have very sensitive skin and eczema. The ones that work best for us are CeraVe and Aquaphor. I still use both on my 2 and 3.5 years!
• Hygiene Kit – Pick one with the basics.
• Electric Nail File – I will say this is a game changer!! We have LOVED our electric nail file. Instead of having to worrying about making your poor babies fingers bleed with those nail clippers, you can easily just file them down. Then when they are older, it gets easier to use actual nail clippers.
• Baby bath tub – Until they are old enough to sit up well in the bathtub, you will need some kind of additional support. There are lots of kinds that probably work great! I always just got a basic cheap one and it worked well for us.

Diapering

• Diapers – Pick our your favorite and register for some – size 1 and up. People will likely still buy you different kinds, but you can always pick out your favorite and register for it. Also, I wouldn’t recommend registering for smaller than size 1. Most likely you won’t need newborn size for very long.
• Baby Wipes – Similar to diapers, pick what you like and register for it. People will likely still buy you different kinds.
• Diaper Rash Cream – This is great to have on hand!! Diaper rash can be very painful. Our favorites are Desitin, Aquaphor, and Boudreaux Butt Paste.
• Diaper Bag – This is my absolute favorite that we have been using for over 2 years! It works great for more than one kid.

Sleep

• Swaddles/Sleep Sacks – Neither of babies enjoyed being swaddled, but a couple made the process a little easier. Halo sleepsack swaddle, Swaddle Me, and Miracle Blanket swaddle all worked well when my boys fought a traditional swaddle. After they start rolling over, I just used regular sleep sacks – Halo being my favorite.
• Blankets – Definitely register for some cozy blankets to use for playing and covering while in the car seat and stroller. Muslim swaddle blankets are great! I recommend having some on hand. They can be used as a swaddle, but also a lightweight blanket for the car seat or stroller or even a burp cloth and nursing cover. I always had one handy.
• Pacifiers – If you plan on trying a paci, I would recommend similar to the bottles. Maybe just get one or two different kinds before figuring out which your baby likes best before stocking up. I was not against paci’s but my 2nd completely refused it so you never know if the baby will even take one.
• Crib Sheets – Stock up! I like the cozy jersey ones because it’s a little warmer and very soft, but pick whatever you like.
• Crib Mattress Protector – Another good thing to have a few on hand because you’re never going to know when you’re going to need to do a quick middle of the night bed change. I prefer getting a waterproof one and one that’s not too thick so they don’t get too hot at night.
• Baby Monitor – Personally for us we didn’t want a baby monitor that was on wifi because we didn’t want any creepers to be able to hack in. We did end up with a video monitor that was not on wifi. Now this will not let us log into the camera with our phones, only with the monitor. It will come down to personal preference on what you want in it.

Furniture

• Crib – You can search on Facebook marketplace or other consignment shops or sales to find a decent used one. We got a reasonably priced new Graco one and it worked great for us!
• Crib Mattress – I recommend investing in a nice one. A comfortable baby means more sleep for her and you! We love this one – and both my boys are still using theirs because it has a toddler side. It is so comfy, it made me want to buy a foam mattress for me!
• Changing Table – This is another thing you can find on Facebook marketplace or other consignment shops to find a used one. We got a reasonably priced new Graco one that worked great for us, and we’re still using after 4 years!
• Glider – A chair is a must in a nursery, and we have LOVED this glider. It has been through both babies and almost 4 years still being used.
• Dresser – Look around and find a good fit for keeping all those little baby clothes in. My mother in law repurposed the old dresser that my husband had as a child so it is very special to us!
• Hangers – I would recommend on stocking up on some baby hangers if you plan on hanging any of your fancy baby clothes. I personally didn’t dress my boys up very much so I didn’t have much to hang, but some people like to hang more. Get whatever you feel like you will use.
• Room darkening shades/curtains – When babies are first born they don’t necessarily need it to be super dark to sleep. But as they grow they will become more sensitive to light. I recommend to getting room darkening shades and or curtains to help cut down on early wakings. We have enjoyed these!
• Sound machine – Again this is something you may not need right off the bat, but as babies grow they become more sensitive to noises. We use this one.
• Pack and Play – A must have for traveling with baby. It can be used for sleeping or playing and packs up and travels so easy!

Toys & Books

• Activity mat – There are lots of options! But this is a great, diverse toy that will keep your baby entertained as they grow.
• Baby Bouncer Chair – As soon as the baby was big enough, a bouncy chair was a must for us! It allowed me to have some free hands to cook dinner or do laundry while still watching the baby. We had a couple, and this one was by far my favorite.
• Activity Jumper or Door Way Jumper – We had both and each baby had a favorite. My first preferred the activity jumper while the second loved the door way one. The door way jumper is best if you’re short on space. The activity jumper has a lot more activities to keep the baby busy.
• Mirror – I highly recommend this one toy to keep your baby entertained. There’s nothing they love more than playing with another baby!
• Any other toys/books you know you want. A lot of people will pick out toys and books for you not from the registry.

Strollers & Car Seats

• Stroller – Get a decent stroller that will last. I knew I wanted to get a jogging one because I liked to run, but I didn’t want to spend a lot. We ended up with this one and LOVE it. I still use it almost 4 years later. This one comes with a newborn car seat also which was very handy.
• Umbrella Stroller – I also recommend getting a decent umbrella stroller for easy traveling. This one is great and even has a little basket making it great for airports and amusement parks.
• Convertible car seat – These are great as baby grows. It will last for years and years! We’ve had two different brands but love the Graco one best.
• Car Mirror – It always gave me peace of mind to be able to see my baby when they were rear facing.
• Shades for car window – Trust me when the sun is shining in on your baby’s eyes you will do anything to make that stop! If your car doesn’t have built in shades (like in a van) then this one is our favorite to fit over a car or SUV window.
• Car seat cover – Car seats get messy! I like to have something down directly on the seat before installing the car seat. It will help preserve your seats in your car.
• Car seat toys – There are toys specifically designed for the car seat. I would recommend looking for some and seeing if you like them. Keeping them entertained in the car is a huge plus!
• Baby carrier – I tried all sorts of different ones, including a fancy wrap and sling, but I liked this simple baby carrier the best.

Medicine

• Saline Spray – It’s good to this on hand from the beginning. Little baby stuffy noses are the worst. Some saline spray along with the Nose Frida can make a huge difference!
• Nose Frida – I know it seems gross, but trust me you won’t get any snot in your mouth!! And this is significantly better than just the nose suckers you get at the hospital.
• Gas Drops and Gripe Water – I didn’t use gas drops or gripe water much but some people swear by them. All babies will have tummy aches and gas issues. It is a great idea to have some of these options on hand to try out when your baby isn’t feeling his/her best.

Clothes

• Register for a few things you like – But I wouldn’t register for much. This is one area where it is a joy for people to get to pick out cute outfits on their own to gift you.
• Sleepers – I would recommend if you register for some sleepers, I would register for ones with zippers and/or magnets so your friends and family members know which kind you like. Button sleepers may be cute, but they are a hassle for those middle of the night changings.
• Hats and socks – I wouldn’t recommend many hats. You really won’t need them unless it’s winter and the baby is out a lot. Socks are great to have around, and it’s good to have a lot because they do get lost easy!

Conclusion

I am SO excited for you as your begin this exciting journey! Grab the free printable so you can check things off as you go. Breathe through the panic, bask and sit in the joy, and enjoy the ride into parenthood!

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The post The Ultimate Free Baby Registry Checklist for First Time Moms first appeared on This Momma Needs Grace.

I had struggled with depression on and off in my life, and although I had gotten down after the birth of my first child I was able to cope and keep moving on. But it was different this second time around. The anger, fear, and sadness was overwhelming and left me feeling as if I was drowning. If it wasn’t for my loving husband, mom and friend, I may have stayed there. But their patience and gentleness with me led me to get the help I needed. You can read a little more about my story here.

What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after childbirth. Some people may also call it the “baby blues”. Some women experience postpartum anxiety in addition to or instead of postpartum depression. There is a difference, and I only experienced depression so I will not be speaking to postpartum anxiety. There can be varying degrees from just a little sadness that seems to go away on it’s own to extreme cases that can lead to suicide. It is extremely important to address this issue and take care of your mental health. Especially when you have a new life to take care of!

Why does postpartum depression happen?

I am not a doctor so I can’t explain all the physical reasons perfectly for why this happens, but I know your body goes through A LOT during pregnancy, birth, and after birth. Not only has your body physically been through a lot and is trying to figure out how to heal, your hormones are going CRAZY on you as well as all sorts of processes going through changes within your body as well.

I know for me it was a lot worse with my second child. He also had colic and would cry all the time which I think contributed because I had very little sleep and had to deal with a crying baby and toddler all at once. Sometimes when my husband was at work, I would just sit in a chair with both of my boys and cry. Through my husband’s urging, I saw a doctor and started working on taking care of myself and finally started to see the light again.

8 Tips to Heal from Post Partum Depression

Tip 1: Pray and read God’s Word

The first place to always go is the feet of the Savior. Take time everyday to get that life-giving bread and water from His Word and spending time with Him. I know it’s not easy to do as a mom, but even if it’s just for a few minutes when you’re in the bathroom, it is necessary to keep you connected with the One who loves you more than any other person could and who is fighting for you always.

When I was at my lowest, I prayed and cried out to God, but I needed more help too. It’s ok if you need other help! God created doctors, friends, family, and churches for us to have community – to encourage each other and build each other up. It does not mean you are weak or not a good enough Christian when you feel like praying isn’t “fixing” everything for you. God IS with you, but He has other plans for your healing. It may be because it blesses someone to help you or it could be that you just need to get to a place of humility and brokenness to be able to receive His healing fully.

Tip 2: Listen

This was a hard one for me. It took multiple conversations from my husband and mom for me to even consider getting help. Then something happened that clicked everything into place and made me call the doctor. A friend I hadn’t talked to in a while reached out to me and when found out I was struggling called me. She told me about her struggle with depression and how important getting help was. Having someone outside of my family share her story with me and speak about how important it was to get help made me realize I really did need to get help.

Sometimes it is hard to listen to people when you’re depressed. I totally get it! It’s easy to get defensive and not want to listen. But your friends and family have the best for you in their hearts and minds when they have these difficult conversations with you. It is not easy for them to see you struggle, and they truly want what’s best for you.

Tip 3: Talk

One of the symptoms of depression is withdrawing. It’s easy to want to shrink into yourself and not want to talk to anybody about anything. But this is probably the worst thing you can do. Being open and honest about your struggles is critically important. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable! A lot of times opening up is the first step to healing.

Sometimes all you need is to talk to your husband or mom, but sometimes you may need more professional help. It could be a pastor, social worker, counselor, or a mentor. That’s for you to decide, but there is no shame in seeking professional help through counseling. I have seen multiple counselors, and finding the right Christian counselor can help gently guide you back into health with the use of God’s Word and prayer.

Tip 4: See a doctor

Depending on how severe your depression is, you may need to see a doctor. I would err on the side of caution and say telling your doctor any struggle is a great step. They can then help you navigate whether medicine would be the right fit for you. Sometimes you don’t even need a prescription medication. There are lots of supplements now that could help ease anxiety or depression, but it’s best to always talk with your doctor first!

I had a hard time wanting to tell my doctor. I felt like they would see me failing as a mom. But that couldn’t be a bigger lie! My doctor was so kind and compassionate about the whole thing. I am so grateful for him. If you feel unheard by your doctor, then find someone else! There are tons of great doctors out there that will listen and really want to do what’s best for you.

Tip 5: Eat Healthy

Some people lose their appetites when they’re depressed while others want to eat everything. I was the latter, of course! And I didn’t want to eat anything healthy. All I wanted was junk. But when you’re down the most important thing you can do is fuel your body well. Feed it with whole, healthy foods and try to stay away from the processed stuff. A treat is of course ok, but try to get the bulk of your food from real food so that you are getting all the good stuff your body needs to heal.

To help you do this while you’re depressed, you may need to get some accountability from your husband or friend. Maybe you can get a healthy meal delivery service if you don’t feel like cooking. Or on good days you can do a bunch of meal prep so you have some healthy options on the bad days. There are usually healthy options when ordering out these days too. Whatever it takes to fuel your body well!

Tip 6: Exercise

The last thing I want to do when I’m depressed is exercise. But moving your body can do so much good. Getting blood moving and releasing endorphins will help your mood exponentially! The key is doing something that you like to do so that you will get out and do it. You’re already down and are not going to want to try to force yourself to do something that you hate doing.

For me, it’s running and pilates. But I started out very slow with just walking until I started to feel better and slow progressed back up to running. Pilates is also amazing at making you feel good! I highly recommend trying it if you’re not sure what would help. My most favorite videos are from Robin Long of the Balanced Life. She is so calm and encouraging emphasizing that it’s about grace over guilt. I am a member of the Sisterhood and strongly recommend it, but she has plenty of free videos and resources too.

Find what helps you – whether it’s walking, lifting weights, or Crossfit. Everyone is different and everyone’s body is different so listen to what you need.

Tip 7: Get outside

God created the earth so of course He uses it to help heal us! Getting outside in some sunshine every day is so good for your body in many ways. Again, I’m definitely not an expert on the subject, but I found this article from Healthline that describes all the benefits well. Basically it releases feel good hormones and gives us vitamin D among other things.

Another thing I’ve found to help me is grounding – or having direct skin contact with the earth. So like walking or standing barefoot in the grass or if you’re lucky and at the beach then in the sand. There isn’t extensive research into grounding, but from what I’ve read it can reduce inflammation in your body and help you feel better in a variety of ways. Here’s another Healthine article that talks about grounding.

Tip 8: Sleep! (when you can)

I know, I know. This seems impossible with a newborn (or even a 2 year old!). But sleep is SO important!!! Make sure you talk to your partner about how he can help you get the sleep you need. I know “they” say to sleep when the baby sleeps. But I always found a long list of things I had to do when the baby slept so it never really seemed to happen for me. Also, my husband has chronic health problems that flair up when he doesn’t get enough sleep so I always felt bad for asking for his help. But I had to realize my health is important too, and we were able to work out ways I could get some extra ZZZ’s.

Sometimes it really is just saying no to the dishes, laundry, and dirty house and just taking a 20 minute nap while the baby naps. There’s no need to beat yourself up about things not getting done around the house. You are doing a great job momma! And taking care of yourself is more important than a dirty house. Your baby needs a healthy and happy mom before she needs everything to be spotless.

Conclusion

Postpartum depression is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Your mental health is so important because if you’re not healthy you can’t be the mom and wife your family needs and deserves. So stay in the Word, talk about your struggles, and seek help when you need it. You’ve got this momma! You’re doing an awesome job, and we all want to see you be your best you for your family.

Have you ever struggled with postpartum depression? If so, what was something that helped you?

The post 8 Tips for Dealing with Postpartum Depression first appeared on This Momma Needs Grace.

I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. Who was this frustrated, depressed, sleep-deprived monster? Who couldn’t hold it together for even an hour most days. Who yearned for sleep and separation from her children who she really did love. I didn’t like this version of myself. I needed help, but I was afraid of the shame and guilt that came with it. Thank God for blessing me with a loving, patient, and determined husband who pushed until I gave in.

Unfortunately, in both the Christian and mom circles, seeking help is shown as a sign of weakness and failure. I should be a better Christian and mother. I should be able to hold it together and live a peaceful and perfect existence with perfect and peaceful kids.

This is NOT reality! But too many moms and Christians believe the lies that this should be our reality. Then we fall deeper into the darkness of the tunnel and get completely lost with no signs of light anymore. This is a dark and scary place to be.

Finding Healing

I’ve dealt with some depression my whole life, but postpartum depression hit me hard after the birth of my second son. He had colic so sleep was hard to come by. I had a toddler that didn’t understand why suddenly he wasn’t get all of the attention. My husband was working at a difficult job that was giving him anxiety and other health issues. I was trying to take care of everyone plus work part time from home. PLUS the fun hormone roller coaster my body was on.

After a lot of prayers and prompting from my husband and mom, I went to see the doctor. It’s so sad to me how much shame I felt for even making the appointment. I hate Satan for making getting help with mental health still appear to be a sign of weakness or shame. If I had a physical issue after giving birth, no one would question it if I went to the doctor for help.

The doctor was so gracious and kind. He did not for a minute make me feel less than for needing help. He talked about how common it is for women and applauded me for getting help. Praise God for his kind and gentle heart!

I started antidepressants and once I got my dosage right, the light started to peak through the darkness and the fog began to clear. Slowly over a few weeks, I started to feel human again. I didn’t dread waking up every morning. I got to enjoy baby snuggles and toddler giggles. I was able to pray and hear the Lord’s voice again. It gave me back my life.

I started to finally feel like I wanted to do stuff again. Mainly stuff to take care of myself so I could properly take care of my family. I started exercising, eating better, and going out in public. I wanted to see friends and family again.

God, our Healer

God is amazing. He is all powerful. He is sovereign. And He is so so so good. He is our healer. I 100% believe He still miraculously heals people every day, from spiritual, emotional, and physical illness. I also believe He can use the resources He has given to us through doctors and medicine to heal us.

I can spend time beating myself up that I didn’t have enough faith or pray the right way for God to supernaturally heal me. Or I can choose to accept the healing He gave me through medicine and praise Him! I choose the latter because He didn’t create us for our short time on earth to beat ourselves up or constantly live in self defeat. He created us for abundant, full life through His Spirit where He shares every spiritual blessing with us even now on earth (Ephesians 1:3-8). He created us to have an intimate relationship with Him where we get to know and grow deeply in love with Him (1 John 4:16-17). And because of medicine for the first time in years, I feel like I can finally start hearing Him clearly, receive His grace and blessings, and be a part of serving His Kingdom again.

He didn’t stop loving me for seeking help. In fact He blessed it with providing me healing (Psalm 30:2). He is a loving Father, and He loves to give His children good gifts (Matthew 7:9-11; 1 John 3:1). So I receive His love and freedom He’s given me. And I encourage you to do the same.

Everyone’s journey to healing – whether physically, spiritually, or emotionally – will look different. Every person is unique created by a creative God, and He has a unique way of relating and bringing healing to all of us. Don’t ever let Satan make you feel shame or guilt for seeking help. You are loved and worthy of healing and freedom.

The post How I found myself again – My Postpartum Journey first appeared on This Momma Needs Grace.

It was dinner time on a Thursday evening. My husband was sick in bed with a migraine. I had to wake up my youngest from his nap because his schedule was all messed up from a doctor’s appointment that morning, and he was not happy about it. And my oldest was yelling “Mom!” every two seconds. The latest was because he had gotten juice from his grape on his hand. Really?! Juice from a grape is just THAT serious?!

I know you feel me. We’ve all had those days/nights (wait – all the days and nights!) where you’re just not enough. Everyone needs something from you, and you just can’t take hearing that “Mom!” one.more.time.

Unconditional Love

My husband is so gracious and patient. He never loses his temper with the kids, and I’ve barely ever seen him lose his temper with anyone. I am not like him. I tend to get easily frustrated and lose my temper and speak before I’ve even had time to think about what I’m saying. Being a mom has revealed too much of my ugly sinful flesh.

But guess what? God still loves me. My husband still loves me. My children still love me. Even though I feel undeserving. Even though I know I’ll lose my temper again. Even on the hardest, darkest, most frustrating days I am loved.

There are a lot of ways to know God’s love for me is unconditional and full of grace, but one of the most treasured to me during this season is the forgiving, gracious love of my husband and children. I hate to see myself so distracted and easily frustrated, but my family has so much grace. So much I don’t deserve.

Breathe and Pray

Instead of living in a constant place of self defeat, I take a minute, breathe, and pray. Sometimes I go into a separate room and close the door and cry or scream or just breathe. Then when I’ve gathered my composer, I go apologize. First to God, then to my family members. In that moment when I see the love in my family’s eyes, I receive the precious grace and love of the Lord. He’s in all the moments, but I truly soak Him in in these sweet ones.

I’m not perfect. My kids aren’t perfect. My husband isn’t perfect. But our love covers these sins and helps us see the best in each other. That kind of love can only be from the Lord. And only reflects a portion of the unconditional gracious love the Lord has for us.

Satan wants us to live in a place of self defeat. But we can’t let him have that victory in our lives! Yes, we screw up. Yes, it’s hard most of the time. But we have unconditional, never-ending Grace that is waiting for us. We just have to stop, breathe, and receive.

The post If I hear that word one more time… first appeared on This Momma Needs Grace.

While some families are lucky enough to have kids sleep through the night at ages as young as 6 weeks, we have not been so lucky. My oldest started sleeping better after the 4 month sleep regression, but even now at almost 3 still takes hours to fall asleep at night and occasionally still wakes up. My youngest is nearly two and has only slept through the night maybe 6 times?! I had high hopes and expectations he would be a great sleeper. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

To say I’m tired would be an understatement. Your body does adjust have years of not getting good sleep to still function (somewhat) with sleep deprivation. But it’s not the same as getting good, quality sleep even just a few times a week.

I feel like night is when spiritual attacks are most often to happen in our house. There is something about the darkness that can evoke fear and vulnerability.

But we don’t have to fear the night. God promises to take care of us at all times especially the night.

He commands his angels to guard us in ALL of our ways. (Psalm 91:11)

He allows us to lie down and sleep in peace. (Psalm 4:8)

He provides rest for the weary. (Matthew 11:28-30)

He gives us everything we need (including sleep!) (Philippians 4:19)

He created our bodies to use sleep as a time to recharge and heal, and desires for us to have this time. (Proverbs 3:24, Psalm 116:7, Psalm 91:1-2, Psalm 3:5)

Even though I don’t get to sleep through the night most nights, God has begun blessing the sleep I do get. Giving me what I need to make it through the days. But what He does that’s the most loving is gives me what I need in His Spirit to live everyday, whether I’m well rested or not.

Sometimes I wonder if He placed me in this season of sleep deprivation as a loving way to remind me to rely on Him for everything every day. I can’t do anything significant without Him, but when I feel physically good and able I tend to leave Him behind and do things of my own strength. He’s using this exhausting season of motherhood to bring me back to full reliance on Him.

Whether you’re sleeping great or not, I pray you are finding your worth and ability to mother out of His identity and power He’s placed inside of you and from nothing else. He never wastes a thing, so take heart momma! He sees the bags under your eyes and midnight feedings. He’s using these moments to refine and shape us into His likeness even more. So let’s praise Him through it and find the joy in it all!

Free Nursery Printable

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