I’m not prone to helplessness.
I’ve always been the type of woman who can make a decision on the fly, a leader who points the way with confidence, and quick with a somewhat educated opinion of what is best. But motherhood? Motherhood has shaken my confidence to the core. I suspect you know what I’m talking about.
Fever of 103 degrees in the middle of the night? What now?
Arguing between siblings? How do I make them get along?
Child being bullied, or worse yet, my child is being a bully? Tattling, poor time management, money management, mouth management? Overeating, low self-esteem, pride, teacher conflict, learning differences? And the list goes on and on.
Motherhood is chock full of moments that make us throw our hands up or cry our eyes out and say, “I don’t know what to do.”
Can I make one suggestion? Can it somehow become so deep seared on our minds that every time we say the words we remember this piece of advice?
Let “I DON’T KNOW” prompt prayer.
Countless times a week I face a situation where I simply do not have all the information, resources, time, or authority to do something. I simply do not know what to do, but our Father does. More and more, I’m choosing to allow the “I don’t know” scenario to become a prompt for me to pray.
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a vast Edomite army poised to attack Judah and Jerusalem. His response as a leader is priceless: “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12). Then they all waited there before the Lord. They didn’t know what to do, but their eyes were on the Lord.
Could that be our heart cry as we face situations that cause us angst? Could we simply allow that helpless feeling to drive us to the One with the answers? “I don’t know” now means “my eyes are on You, Lord.” The incredible news is that just as King Jehoshaphat received the help he needed, we will as well. Even in the waiting for the answers, God hears our dependence on Him for the next move and He will give us wisdom and direction through the Spirit.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
Motherhood is laced with opportunities to look to the Lord and say, “I have no idea what to do right now.” Perhaps our greatest comfort is that we serve a God who never reaches that same conclusion. He knows what you need and what to do, and He is equally invested in the raising of your family. And that knowledge has me running to Him at record speeds.
Where do you need wisdom today? What areas of motherhood are making you say, “I just don’t know.” today?
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