Bedtime Thoughts for the Christian Mom

My purpose for this booklet is two-fold. First, I love to read. Give me a book, a blanket, and a fireplace and I am in heaven. On the rare occasion my husband and I take a vacation alone, I will read four to six novels during our trip. On road trips we listen to books on tape so we can read while traveling.

But in day-to-day life with four active children, a dog, a home, and careers, reading is a luxury. Typically, I read booklets made for a short daily read. They are perfect for my nightstand and I can actually finish one in less than six months. I get my reading fix without feeling like I have one more thing on my to-do list I will never cross off. I wanted to write something in bite-size pieces for the busy mom like myself.

The second reason I wanted to write this is the more important. We mothers need each other. We need each other to help us grow personally and spiritually. We need someone to give words of encouragement and someone to share the highs and lows of motherhood.

I want to partner with you on this wonderful and unpredictable journey. As I said, I have four of my own little cherubs who daily test me, grow me, challenge me, frustrate me, anger me, surprise me, bless me and fill me with more love and passion than seems humanly possible. I am certain I love my children more than any other person has ever loved her children in the history of children. I am certain you feel the same way about yours.

With such fierce desire to be a great mother come feelings of failure and guilt on a too-often basis. Did I spend enough time with this child? Why did I lose my temper over something so minor? Did it hurt his little feelings when I shooed him away while I was finishing the bills? Do I give the right help with homework? Are they getting enough fruits and vegetables? Will she be upset I can’t go on the school field trip? Is it too harsh to make them do so many chores? Am I leading by the best example? Am I raising up a godly woman and godly men? The doubts are endless.

So many nights I fall into bed exhausted and praying, “Lord, I really blew it today. How can I be better tomorrow?” I lie there wondering, “Am I the only mother out there who can’t keep up?” I feel like a tornado blowing through life out of control while everyone else seems to have it all together.

Don’t you ever feel like you just need someone to whisper in your ear, “You are doing a good job”? Here are thirty-one bedtime stories – one for each day of the month – just for you, Mom.

It is my prayer you find encouragement and growth-provoking ideas which will challenge you. Each day has a scripture to meditate on and a challenge for you to put into practice. Hopefully this will give you a truth to ponder as you slip into your much-needed and much-deserved REM cycle. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

Consider this your whisper, “Mom, you are doing a GREAT job.”