Every morning, I wake up to the sound of little feet padding down the hall. I make pancakes, wipe sticky hands, and kiss sleepy cheeks. Somewhere between folding laundry and reading bedtime stories, I’m reminded of something powerful: I am the gatekeeper of my home.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, isn’t it? The world feels louder and darker than ever. Social media scrolls by with one tragedy after another. The news blares chaos and fear. And as mothers, we carry the weight of wondering how to protect our children in a world that’s moving so fast.

But, Mama, let me tell you something. God chose us—yes, you and me—to guard the gates of our homes and our children’s hearts. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” That starts with us.

I’ve realized that if I’m not careful, the noise of the world can seep into my home. It’s tempting to let Luci stay glued to a screen because I need a moment of peace. It’s easy to think she's too young to notice the stress I carry or the headlines flashing on the TV. But these little hearts are watching, listening, and absorbing more than we realize.

So, I’m learning to set boundaries—for myself and for her. I limit her screen time. I turn off the news. I filter the shows, books, and music that come into our home. Some may call it sheltering, or being a helicopter parent (I have been called this so many times) but I call it protecting. Innocence is precious, and childhood is fleeting.

This doesn’t mean I’m naïve about the world my daughter will face. It means I want to lay a foundation of truth and love in her heart before the world tries to tell her who she isn't. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

I want Luci's hearts to be built on that rock. I want her to know she is deeply loved, wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and created with a purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). I want her to see the love of Jesus in the way I serve her, discipline her, and pray for her. I want her to see the love of Jesus in the way I love her dad, serve him and pray for him.

Mama, you’re not just folding laundry or making peanut butter sandwiches—you’re doing holy work. You’re creating a safe haven in a world full of storms. You’re standing at the gate of your home, saying, “Not today, Satan. Not my family.”

Of course, I don’t always get it right. There are days I lose my patience, days the noise creeps in. But God’s grace covers us, even in our imperfections. And He gently reminds me that I’m not guarding these gates alone. Psalm 121:3 says, “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.”

So, take heart, Mama. Your work matters. Keep praying over your children. Keep showing up for them in the small, ordinary moments. Keep pouring Jesus into their lives, one bedtime prayer, one Bible story, one hug at a time.

You are the gatekeeper of your home, and God has equipped you for this holy calling. The world may feel overwhelming, but greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Hold the line, Mama. Guard the gates. And trust that the foundation you’re building will stand firm long after your little ones leave the nest.

How can I pray for you today? Tell me in the comments.