A couple of years ago, when I was in the middle of a very hard parenting season and feeling totally inadequate, a friend said to me, “You would never let any of your friends talk about themselves like this. Treat yourself the way you treat us.”

She was right. I’d never let my friends believe they were failing as a mom because of botched family nights or forgotten appointments. I remind them of all things they do well. And I’d probably tell them that some days good enough is really enough.

If I was having that sort of conversation with a friend, I’m pretty sure I’d share one of my favorite passages from 2 Corinthians 11:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my own weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul could have been describing what it is to parent a teenager: weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Yes, all in one hour. But that list does not include the word I most often ascribe to myself as a mom: failure.

Because in spite of all the difficult moments and exhausting days and tear-filled exchanges, God doesn’t see me as a failure. He just sees this child He loves. And you know what? He sees the same thing when He looks at you.

God offers us grace. In fact, He says our weaknesses are where His power is made perfect.

Think about that for a minute. The God of all creation says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” When I lean into those words I find freedom. I don’t have to be the perfect mom. He isn’t asking me to be the perfect mom. He, even better than me, knows I can’t possibly. Instead of demanding more from me, He offers me this incredible exchange: I give Him all my weaknesses and I receive His power.

Wherever you are, whatever challenges you’re facing {parenting or otherwise}, these are His gentle words over you. And they are good and kind and full of love.

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

xoxo,

Teri Lynne

What is a verse you go to when you are feeling discouraged or like a failure?