Let’s be real—motherhood is exhausting.

The kind of exhausting that doesn’t go away with sleep.

It’s waking up before the sun because tiny humans need you. It’s reheating your coffee three times but never actually finishing it hot. It’s breaking up fights, answering why? a hundred times, and cleaning up the same mess you just cleaned five minutes ago. It’s trying to remember who you even were before you were Mom.

And if that wasn’t enough, the world is screaming at us from every direction:

• Motherhood is a burden.

• Kids are exhausting.

• You need an escape.

• Your worth is in your work, not in your home.

  
  

I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it. Sometimes, I believe it.

But what if we’re missing it? What if the struggle isn’t just about the exhaustion, but about the fact that we’ve bought into the world’s lie that motherhood is something to simply survive?

The Journey to Motherhood: A Miracle Not Lost on Me

Before I even became a mother, I ached for it.

I was told at a young age that I would be unable to conceive and carry a child. I started my adult life believing I would never be a mom. So I threw myself into my teaching career, pouring into my students, convincing myself that they would be my only kids.

But as I got older, God put on my heart to try. It was terrifying—hoping for something I had already grieved. But I promised Him, If You give me a child, I will raise her to know You. To walk with You. I will heal from my past so I can be the mother she deserves.

And then—He did it.

Against all odds, I conceived. I carried. I gave birth.

And now? Every single time I look at my daughter, I see God’s grace in human form. Some days I look at her in such awe. She is real, and she is mine. I get the overwhelming privilege to be her mom and to raise her.

I ended my career to be home with her—not because it was the easy choice, but because it was the right one. Because I love doing life with her. Not a single day goes by where I take her for granted.

But let’s be clear—just because I’m grateful doesn’t mean it’s not hard.

Especially as a police officer’s wife, where I’m doing most of this alone. The days feel long. The nights feel longer. And sometimes, I feel like I’m drowning in the weight of it all.

But here’s the thing: even in the hard moments, this life that I have now was once just a dream.

And if I’m not careful, the weight of motherhood can steal the joy of it.

Struggling With My Identity After Leaving My Career

Before staying home, I had a title. A paycheck. A purpose.

Walking away from my teaching career left me wrestling with my worth. The world made me feel like I had lost something. That I was wasting my potential. That I wasn’t bringing enough to the table.

But Jesus is showing me how false that narrative is.

Motherhood isn’t a demotion. It’s the MOST important work.

I traded lesson plans for life lessons. Classroom management for soul management. My job isn’t measured in data and performance reviews anymore—it’s measured in eternal impact.

And if that’s not important, I don’t know what is.

Think Back to When You Were a Kid

Now, let’s pause for a second.

Think back to when you were a child.

What did your mom do that made you feel loved? Was it the bedtime stories? The way she made your favorite meal? The way she looked at you like you were the best thing to ever happen to her?

Or was she always busy, checked out, just doing what needed to be done to keep you alive?

Here’s the hard truth: Our kids will remember how we made them feel more than anything else.

And one day? They will look back at their childhood and do the same.

So ask yourself:

• Do we want them to have to heal from their childhood, or use it to guide how they love their own kids?

• Do we want them present and full of love, because that is what they saw?

• Or do we want them checked out, stressed out, and seeing parenthood as a burden because that’s what we showed them?

  
  

How we mother right now is shaping the kind of parents they will become.

The Hard Truth About Modern Motherhood

Here’s where I’m going to say something that might be uncomfortable:

We say we love our kids, but are we actually present with them?

• Are we keeping busy to avoid doing the hard work?

• Are we truly parenting our kids, or just keeping them entertained?

• Are we teaching them about Jesus, or letting the church do that?

• Are we actually connecting with our kids, or just taking care of their basic needs?

  
  

Because here’s the thing—culture is raising our kids, and we’re letting it.

We get frustrated when they won’t listen, but when was the last time we really listened to them? We feel guilty for too much screen time, but when was the last time we set our own phone down? We say we want to raise faith-filled kids, but when was the last time they actually saw us reading our Bibles?

We can’t outsource parenting.

We can’t let church be the only place they hear about Jesus. And we can’t let distractions rob us of the years we will one day wish we could have back.

A Mindset Shift: From Surviving to Surrendering

I had a moment the other day where I felt completely done.

My daughter had a meltdown over the wrong color cup (because obviously, the blue one was unacceptable that day), the house was a disaster, I was behind on everything, and my husband was working late. The guilt of being home and having nothing accomplished was eating at me.

I wanted to scream.

Instead, I whispered Lord, I can’t do this.

And in that moment, I felt a nudge: You are doing holy work.

It stopped me in my tracks.I sat on the kitchen floor, called Luci over, and held her for a moment. I took a moment to gather my feelings and then told her I was frustrated. She hugged me back and said it was okay. I asked if she wanted to help me clean up and cook dinner together. She lit up with excitement, and it transformed our evening.

Motherhood isn’t just about raising kids—it’s about discipling them.

Shepherding them. Pouring into them, even when it’s hard.

And that? That’s kingdom work.

I pray that Luci looks back on her childhood and see a mother who was there. A mother who was engaged, loving, and intentional. A mother who chose joy, chose presence, and chose JESUS.

Choosing Gratitude in the Chaos

I know the hard days will still come. I know I’ll still struggle. I know I’ll still need grace—a lot of it.

But I refuse to wish away the very thing I once prayed for.

So instead of letting frustration steal my joy, I’ll choose gratitude:

• Instead of “I have to clean up another mess,” I’ll say, “I get to care for my child.”

• Instead of “I never have a moment to myself,” I’ll say, “I am never alone in this journey.”

• Instead of “I can’t do this,” I’ll say, “With God, I can do all things” (Philippians 4:13).

Because at the end of the day, this work matters.

Final Encouragement

Mama, I know it’s hard. I know you’re tired. I know there are days you wonder if you’re doing enough.

But let me remind you—you are doing holy work.

So next time you’re in the thick of it—pause. 

Take a deep breath. And remind yourself:

I am raising a kingdom builder. And I am so incredibly blessed to do it.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” – Proverbs 31:25

A Prayer for Every Mother

Father God,

Thank You for the gift of motherhood. When we feel weary and unseen, remind us that we are doing holy work. Help us reject the world’s lie that motherhood is a burden and embrace the truth that our children are a blessing.

Give us strength when we're weak, patience when we're overwhelmed, and joy in the everyday moments. Help us be fully present, pointing our children to You in all we do.

May our kids look back and see a mother who loved deeply, showed up fully, and chose joy. Let our homes be places of peace, faith, and love.

We surrender this journey to You, Lord. Guide us, strengthen us, and remind us that we are raising kingdom builders for Your glory.

In Jesus Name, Amen.