The Better Mom Devotional

by Ruth Schwenk

  God filled their living space with what was “pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 2:9). Color. Promises of life. Knowledge. It’s no wonder God called the garden Eden, which means “delight”!

  We don’t have to have a big house or big budget to decorate our homes with beauty and reminders of who God is. We can paint walls to create rooms with warmth. Rearrange furniture to provide greater comfort and intimacy. Light candles. Open windows. Hang wall art or pictures with verses from God’s Word. One of my favorites in our home is a large sign by the front door that reminds us as we leave to “Be the light.”

  You don’t need to be an interior designer to make your home more comfortable and inviting. Simple reminders of God’s beauty, truth, love, and power bring warmth to any home.

  Father, thank You for the living space You have blessed me with. Help me transform my home into space that declares Your beauty, goodness, and truth. Fill it with Your presence, making our home a little sanctuary from the world for our family and friends. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • How would you currently describe your living space?

  • What are two ways you can fill your space with more beauty and warmth?

  The Right Path

  The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

  —PSALM 23:1–3

  Recently my husband and I took up hiking. Several times a week we wake up early, just before the sun comes up, and drive to our favorite park. It’s large and wooded, with steep trails, open meadows, and a river running through it.

  At first I wasn’t a big fan of hiking. I’ve always preferred the indoors over the outdoors! There were too many hills, loose rocks, and animals (or so I thought) lurking in the woods. As much as I preferred the predictability of a treadmill, though, I persisted in our new adventure.

  The Bible talks a lot about paths, and walking is one of the most common metaphors used for describing a relationship with God. In Psalm 23, for instance, the psalmist said that God is like a shepherd who leads us down the right path. He lovingly invites us to follow Him into what is true and good, even if it looks like an uphill hike!

  The path our good Shepherd has for us is not always an easy path. It’s not always flat or free of obstacles. In fact, many paths God leads us down are thorny, steep, winding, and full of rocks. But if God is out front, that rugged path leads us toward life.

  Still, in most of these rough spots, we’d choose a different way. One that was easier, shorter, and safer. The promise is never that the path will be smooth, but that the Shepherd will be with us. He knows what path is best for us.

  No matter what kind of path you’re on right now, remember you are not alone. So pray that regardless of the path, God would strengthen your legs and steady your feet, helping you trust Him on this journey of faith.

  Father, lead me down the path that You have for me. Help me surrender to You and learn from You along the way. And when the path is hard, help me trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • In what ways do we often resist God’s “right” path?

  • How has God used a difficult path to change you?

  The Power of Gentleness

  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.

  —MATTHEW 12:20–21

  Do your kids feel at ease in your home? Do they seem relaxed or on edge? Sometimes in the stress and chaos of motherhood, we inadvertently create a home environment that feels more like a volcano on the verge of erupting than it does an oasis for rest and refreshment. God wants our homes to be sacred spaces, set apart to Him and for Him. How we interact with family members is one way we can honor God with our homes. Becoming better means looking to and learning from how Jesus related to those around Him.

  There’s an interesting character trait of Jesus that often gets overlooked. The gospel writers described Him as “gentle” (Matthew 11:29). When Jesus interacted with people in His public ministry, He knew their hearts and their brokenness. So Jesus was gentle with them. He wasn’t cynical, forceful, dismissive, rushed, or annoyed. Jesus interacted with kindness and gentleness. He was careful not to break people’s spirits.

  Like Jesus, we need to be aware of any “bruised” reeds or “smoldering” wicks among our family members. Our homes should be a haven, a safe space away from all that is broken and wrong with the world. When we moms are gentle, we put our families at ease and make them feel comfortable. We de-escalate tensions instead of escalating them. We’re patient. Gentleness helps us be compassionate—cautious with our words and intentional in our actions.

  Lord, help me show my children the same kindness and gentleness You have shown me. Fill me with Your Spirit. Cultivate in me a heart that bears the fruit of gentleness so that I am more patient with my kids. Always help me remember that they are still growing and learning, just as I am. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • Consider the ways each of your kids is like a “bruised reed” or a “smoldering wick.” How could you be gentler with them?

  • What might help you be gentler with your words?

  God Hasn’t Forgotten You

  God remembered Noah.

  —GENESIS 8:1

  My husband and I have a running discussion about where the car keys should go. He is for the same spot: in a bowl next to our refrigerator. I, on the other hand, am for wherever is convenient when I come bursting through the door. Sometimes I put my keys on the kitchen table. Sometimes they go in my purse. Other times I stash them in my coat pocket. And a lot of times, well, I can’t remember exactly where I placed them. We have this running discussion because I am prone to forget.

  As I ponder my own forgetfulness, I am thankful for the reminder that God does not forget. The Bible tells us that Noah found favor in God’s eyes (Genesis 6:8). When God told him to build an ark, he did it. We’re told Noah did everything God commanded him to do (Genesis 7:5). Then the rain started to fall, and Noah’s waiting began. God let rain fall for forty days and forty nights, and the earth was flooded for one hundred and fifty days, but we’re told that “God remembered Noah.”

  I’m guessing Noah may have felt as if God had forgotten him and a boatload (literally) of animals. He must have thought, Come on, God. Speed it up. What’s taking so long? Where are You? And then God “remembered.” He kept His word.

  Sometimes we can start to believe that somehow God has forgotten us. We wonder why He seems slow to answer our prayers or change our circumstances. We struggle to be patient. We doubt God’s promises. We think He forgets.

  If you feel forgotten today, know that God has not forgotten you. He remembered Noah, and He will remember you.

  Father, I praise You for Your faithfulness. You are a God who keeps His promises. Even when I don’t see You or feel You working, You are working to accomplish Your purposes in and through me. Thank You for the reminder that You will not forget me or forsake me. Help me cling to that promise today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • In what areas do you need to be reminded that God does not forget?

  • What is one promise you need to cling to right now as a parent?

  Love Anyway

  “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?”

  —MATTHEW 5:46

  Let’s be honest. Sometimes we just don’t see eye to eye with some people in our lives. Showing them love can be quite a challenge, especially when these people are difficult, different, or don’t always show appreciation. But learning to love them anyway is a step closer to understanding the kind of love God has for us.

  Have you ever thought about how out of balance our love relationship with God is? He first loved us, the Bible says (1 John 4:19). He made the first move and took the first step. By His grace, He sent Jesus for us to receive by faith. Our love in return, even
on our best days, pales in comparison to that kind of love. Yet He loves us anyway. He doesn’t give up on us when we don’t give it back or show appreciation. In Christ, God loves us anyway.

  As we begin to grasp just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ really is (Ephesians 3:18), we move closer to being able to love others in the same way God loves us. As we receive God’s love and grow in His truth, God is producing in us a love that has the power to love anyway. And that kind of love is the greatest mark we can leave on the world!

  So who is God calling you to love anyway? A friend who is difficult or different? A grumpy family member? A coworker who never seems to appreciate your efforts? Maybe it’s your kids. As moms, we seem to always be giving and not necessarily getting much back in return.

  Wherever we find hard-to-love people, may we open our hearts wide to receive God’s love, and then may we be quick to share His love. May He empower us to love anyway!

  Lord, I praise You for loving me first. Thank You for not giving up on me, even when I didn’t love You back. Thank You for being patient, kind, and gentle. Pour Your love into my heart through Your Holy Spirit. Change me, and give me the power to love anyway. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • Are there people around you right now whom you need to learn to love?

  • What is one way you can love anyway right now?

  Advice from a Friend

  Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

  —PROVERBS 19:20

  We were sitting around the dining room table when the topic of dating came up. My friends’ kids were at least ten years older than ours, and I was curious about how they had handled their kids’ relationships with the opposite sex. “So what did you guys do that worked?” I asked. One question led to another . . . and then to another!

  Do you have older friends who are great sources of advice? It might sound simple, but having wise moms in our lives and seeking out friends who are further down the road than we are is one of the best ways to learn to become better moms.

  We need friends in all ages and stages of life. We need friends who are in the trenches with us. We have younger friends whom God has placed in our lives for us to mentor and encourage. And we also need older, wiser friends who will mentor and encourage us.

  The writer of Proverbs instructed us to “listen to advice” and even accept “discipline.” I am so grateful for older moms who have graciously poured their experiences and wisdom into me. I have learned so much from moms who led by example as well as from moms who were willing to listen and give advice, spurring me on in my calling as a mom.

  The promise of this verse in Proverbs is that when we surround ourselves with wise people, we will be “counted among the wise” as well. Ask God to help you surround yourself with those who will raise the bar in your life, challenging you to grow better and wiser.

  Lord, You have given me the gift of community for my benefit. Help me surround myself with friends who will spur me on to be better and wiser. Give me the humility to reach out to moms I respect. Help me be teachable for the sake of growing wiser and more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • Are most of your friends younger, the same age, or older than you?

  • Where can you look for a godly mom who is older, further down the parenting path, and wiser because of her experience?

  Source of Strength

  Be filled with the Spirit.

  —EPHESIANS 5:18

  Nothing reveals our limitations the way being a mom does. We quickly realize we don’t have the resources to parent on our own. We don’t just naturally become stronger and stronger so that we become better moms. This journey is about becoming weaker and weaker, realizing that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8–9).

  When we acknowledge our weakness, God gives us a very special gift: He gives us the gift of Himself. When we come to believe in Christ, God gives us His Spirit. This is why we are commanded to “be filled with the Spirit.” We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, teach us, and empower us. We weren’t meant to live out this calling on our own. So how do we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us?

  One of the best ways to be filled by the Spirit is by filling yourself with God’s Word. God’s Spirit works in many different ways. We might encounter God’s Spirit through worship, through community, through times of prayer and solitude. But the surest and safest way to know we are encountering the Spirit of God is through the Book He inspired (2 Peter 1:20–21).

  Are you spending time each day reading, meditating on, and memorizing God’s Word? Are you trusting and relying on the truth and promises you find in its pages? When faced with difficult decisions or challenges, are you running to the Bible? If you don’t, you’re missing out on the strength God’s Spirit wants to give you.

  Whatever you are facing today, face it in the strength God is offering you. Be filled with His Spirit. Let your weakness cause you to run to His Word!

  Father, You speak to me through Your Word, which is life and power. Fill me with Your Spirit today by filling me with Your life-changing love and truth. In my weakness, give me Your strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • Why do you think it’s so hard to admit to weaknesses?

  • What can you do today to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

  Fighting for Your Marriage

  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

  —1 PETER 5:8–9

  As much as marriage is a blessing, marriage is also a battle—and I don’t mean spouse versus spouse! Having a healthy, God-honoring marriage requires fighting for each other. To be prepared for the battle, we need to remember who we are fighting so we know how to fight.

  The Bible tells us on many occasions that we are really fighting against the devil, but being a deceiver, the devil doesn’t always make his presence obvious. After all, our spiritual enemy disguised himself as a serpent in the garden of Eden when he targeted the first-ever marriage relationship. His assault brought sin, which resulted in separation, fear, blame, and shame. The oneness of marriage was under attack—and still is.

  The enemy looks for vulnerable spots in a marriage. He looks for our weaknesses—those places in our walk with the Lord that are weak become opportunities for him to get a foothold. The best way to be protected is to be prepared, and that’s why Peter told us we need to be alert. We need to have eyes to see real danger. Then we are to resist the devil by standing firm in our faith.

  Be on your guard. Stay alert. Pray together. Pray with your spouse. Stay in God’s Word. Surround yourselves with godly people and a church community. And keep your eyes on Jesus. He has given you the resources you need to fight for your marriage!

  Father, protect my marriage. Give us spiritual eyes to see how some of our challenges or conflicts are really attacks from the enemy. Keep us prayerful, watchful, and saturated in Your truth. Jesus, You disarmed Satan’s power at the cross. Your Spirit who lives inside of us is greater and more powerful than our enemy. Enable us to walk in Your power and victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • In what part of your walk with the Lord are you most vulnerable?

  • What is one thing you can do today to protect your marriage from spiritual attacks?

  Walking with the Wise

  Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

  —PROVERBS 13:20

  I’m not a “helicopter mom,” but I am a protective mom. I freely admit that I shelter my kids. Not from everything, of course, but from a lot of things—especially from foolish friends.

  As parents, we are the primary influence in our children’s lives, but we are far from the only influence. As our children grow older, the influence of peers can, and usually does,
grow greater. I know we can’t protect our children from everything. I also understand that the sin inside of them (in their hearts) is just as real and dangerous as the sin outside of them (in the world). But there is great biblical wisdom in protecting our children from the wrong kind of friendships—a benefit they will take with them long after they are grown.

  One of the things we can do as moms is give our kids a vision of godly friendship. While our kids don’t come into the world knowing what Christlike friendships should look like, the Bible is full of examples of true friendship. A study in the book of Proverbs is a great way to give our kids a vision for choosing wise friends who bring blessing instead of suffering.

  We can’t protect our kids from every foolish friend, but we can prepare our kids to choose the right kind of friends. One effective way to teach our kids about godly friends is by letting them see our own friendships. In an increasingly disconnected society, our kids need to see healthy, loving, committed, self-sacrificial, and God-honoring friendships modeled before their eyes.

  Father, give me wisdom to protect my children from the wrong kind of influences. I pray that You would bless my kids with friends who are pursuing Christ, friends who will love and encourage my kids in godliness. Use my kids to be positive influences on their friends, and help them pass on their faith in You to those around them. In Jesus’ name, amen.