Mom pressure is real.
The weight we carry is not a light load.
The demands on us are not child’s play.
The outcome of what we do happens to effect the life of another human.
No pressure, but mediocrity is not an option.
Lives are hanging in the balance.
Being a mom is a huge job; the most important job you could possibly have
and it requires a sort of ‘super-ness;’
the kind we do not have on our own.
We need to be super, mom.
I’m not talking about the kind of supermom the world values: the kind of mom that juggles kids, a full time job, several volunteer positions, is on the board of every organization all while pursuing her “me time” and never breaking a nail in the process.
I’m not even talking about the kind of mom the ‘mom culture’ values: perfect kids, perfect house, everything made from scratch, has it all together, can accomplish anything and everything without a hair out of place, all the while maintaining her blog!
Truth be told; these women are left exhausted in their efforts and often end up looking more like the victims of the story than they do the moms they were called to be.
The kind of Supermom I am talking about is ordinary, meek and flawed.
She has the same struggles we all do, and by no means ‘has it all together.’
Her humility is greater than her ability.
This is the kind of mom that sees her need for Jesus, submits her life to Him and is then made super BY Him, THROUGH Him and FOR Him.
All super hero’s share the same basic traits, traits that are required for success.
These are the very same traits that are needed in the calling we have been given, dear mom:
Superheroes
stand for something greater than themselves. They stand for truth and justice,
freedom and honor, integrity, and for high moral principle.
They are courageous defenders of the weak and innocent.
Superheroes have clear demarcations of right and wrong etched into the granite of their character.
Their courage is not always the result of some superhuman fearlessness we can’t possibly hope to have, rather, it is because they are willing to do the very thing they fear because it’s the right thing to do; allowing them to stand up to the villain even when they feel outmatched.
Super Heroes are resourceful and innovative. They tackle challenges, never giving up…even when they fail the first, second or twenty-second time.
Their heroism is born of their conviction that they are needed in the fight. They stand strong in the battle because they believe there are things more important than themselves.
This, momma, is your calling! This is what is needed to be a Supermom!
And there is good news for all of us ‘non-hero’ types out there: most superheroes were not born superheroes; they became superheroes.
WE, TOO, CAN BECOME SUPER-HERO MOM’S!
Through HIS STRENGTH IN US,
we can become the superhero mom’s our families need;
the kind of supermom’s He has called us to be.
1. Superheroes have SUPER POWERS
Whether they have the power of flight or invisibility, super-human speed or strength, lasers from the eyes, spikes from knuckles, webs from wrists or just have really cool gadgets on a utility belt, superheroes do what seems impossible to the rest of us.
Although we can’t fly, through the strength of the Lord we, too, can do what seems impossible.
We can become invisible to the lies we hear telling us we are not enough. We can rise above our circumstances.
We can soar, rather than plummet when faced with adversity.
We can break through barriers of selfishness and fight our way through the difficult days.
Jesus is the source and provider of all our strength and when we allow Him to work in us, we can do all this and more.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God.
Colossians 1:11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.
2. Superheroes have COURAGE
Let’s face it; this ‘mom thing’ can be a bit scary.
We all have inner villains lurking in the shadows of our own hearts and minds; rendering us afraid; throwing us off the path the Lord has for us.
We must allow the Lord to shine truth into the places where the lies that breed fear want to take over.
We also have external villains; the voices that challenge our authority, freedoms and rights; the voices that have a different agenda in the lives of our children.
We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and take a stand; to fight for what is right and true; to fight for our children.
As you challenge the validity of your fears with prayer and God’s truth, they are replaced by a great courage; not our own, but from the One that called us into this place; a courage that cannot be shaken because it stands on a firm foundation of truth; a courage that can withstand even the greatest threat.
1 Chronicles 28:20
“Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
3. Superheroes have CONVICTION
Superheroes are deeply committed to a clearly defined set of values that guide them.
As it should be for a super-hero mom; our convictions must come from a greater place than ourselves in order for us to stay the course.
We must understand that we are part of a much greater plan!
Our convictions, the very reason we do what we do, come from the Lord and a reverence for the authority of His Word.
We must be constantly seeking first the Kingdom of God and answering the call of ‘mom’ because we know it comes from a high and holy place.
Superhero’s won’t compromise or violate their standards or the things that matter most, even when they are faced with opposition.
Knowing that we are answering the call given by God allows us to stand firm in even the toughest situations; never giving up.
Matthew 6:33
Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.
4. Superheroes have IDENTITY
Batman has Bruce Wayne. Superman has Clark Kent. Spiderman has Peter Parker.
What stands in plain view is not recognized because greatness is not suspected from ordinary people’s lives. But under all the ‘ordinary’ there lies strength and a passion for what is true, good and right, with the drive to fight for it.
As it is with us: we are ordinary women, yet we serve a super God that will work out super things through us. When the spirit lives in us, we do not have to strive to be super, we simply surrender to Him and watch something beautiful and truly extraordinary emerge.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
5. Superheroes SAVE LIVES
Super heroes fly straight into danger to save the innocent.
They are willing to risk themselves for others.
We are called to defend our children from the traps the enemy uses to ensnare them as we walk the beautiful balance between protecting and preparing them.
Our greatest job is to point them to the live-saving truth of Jesus.
John 10:10b
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
6. Superhero COSTUMES
Denim jumpers, yoga pants, jeans or an apron, it doesn’t matter.
Whatever your ‘go- to mom costume’ is, let us remember that we are first and foremost to put on the armor of God each day in order to answer the call we have been given!
Let us remember that we must ‘take off’ our selfish ways and our fleshly desires each day. Let us not fall into the trap of wanting to look as the world does, but, rather, to be set apart.
Romans 13:14
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Colossians 3:10
And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
7. Superhero HEADQUARTERS
Batman has the batcave, Superman has the fortress of solitude.
We, women, have our homes; the headquarters for our super-hero work.
The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home; raising future adults, world-changes, those that can stand on solid ground!
Proverbs 14:1a – A wise woman builds her house.
8. Superheroes have AN ENEMY
Superman battles Lex Luther. Batman combats the Joker.
We too have an enemy that we need to constantly be on the watch for; an enemy that wants to take out our children and our families.
We cannot be complacent to such an enemy.
We must stand strong and enter into the battle for the hearts and minds of our children!
1 Peter 5:8
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Eph. 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
JOHN 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
9. Superheroes OFFER HOPE
Sometimes our
challenges seem greater than we can handle.
Often we do not see the fruit of our labors.
Our children buck us, doubt creeps in, and we question our ability.
It is in that place that we find our hope in the One that called us; not in our
own abilities or strengths, but in Him.
And from there we can stand as a beacon to our children; pointing them to Jesus
and the hope they, too, can find in Him.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 8:24
For in this hope, we are saved.
So, as you can see, being a Super-mom has very little to do with how much we do and how perfectly we do it, but everything to do with who is doing it in and through us.
Being super isn’t about our daily tasks; it’s about our deeper heart and our dedication to raising our kids God’s way.
Being super isn’t about what others see on the outside, it is about what is happening on the inside.
Being super is about knowing who we are In Christ; it’s about standing firm against anything that wants to rob us of His plan for our children; it’s about standing for truth, freedom and righteousness; offering hope.
So, remember, mom, you are created in the image of God and have been created on purpose for this very job he has given you. He will give you all you need to do it, because, although you are ordinary, He is super and is going to do extraordinary things through you!
Keep your eyes on Him and soar high, for YOU ARE SUPER, MOM!