February 19, 2025

I have a confession to make… I am a tired mom. A very tired mom. In fact, right now I would actually use the word weary. I can’t stand before you (virtually at least) and say that I’ve got things all figured out. Trust me I don’t.

Sometimes I think that when we are starting something new, the devil sends us extra trials so we end up with the feeling “who am I to try to help people? I need help myself.” Thankfully I know I’m not alone in this. And thankfully, this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced this.

I know God has called me to coach moms and that means that no matter how I’m feeling, I need to keep moving forward. I can’t let the struggles that have come up derail me from what God wants me to do.

Growing up I was familiar with the phrase, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,” that is repeated so many times in the Bible. I usually just heard the part about not being afraid. But in the last few years, I’ve really been drawn to that second part: ‘do not be discouraged’. Feeling discouraged can become part of our life if we are not careful. I have definitely felt it building up in me. When I wish things were different. When I feel like things are never going to change. When I wonder if all my effort will accomplish anything. When I repeat myself for the 1,000th time and wonder if anyone will ever listen. Yup, I definitely have my moments of discouragement.

While the opposite of discouragement is encouragement, and man do we moms need to encourage each other, I also think about how the word ‘courage’ is in both of them. Courage—"the ability to stand up to something that scares you.” At first thought, I didn’t see any connection between discouragement and courage. But I think it’s starting to make sense to me. In order to stand up against discouragement, it takes courage.

When I think about all those things that bring about discouragement for me, I can identify an underlying fear: things will always be this way. Making the connection between discouragement and fear, sure makes it make a lot more sense why they are so often included together in the Bible. And identifying my underlying fear almost stops me in my tracks. No wonder I’ve been discouraged—I’m not holding on to hope like I should be. That can sure make a person weary.

In the Bible, around the many places it is repeated—‘do not be afraid; do not be discouraged’—there are so many promises that renew hope and offer comfort. Some of them are: ‘The Lord goes before you’; ‘He will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Deuteronomy 31:8); ‘You will not have to fight this battle’ (2 Chronicles 20:17); ‘There is greater power with us’ (2 Chronicles 32:7); ‘The battle is not yours, but God’s’ (2 Chronicles 20:15).

This is where I take a deep breath. And thank God. And push ahead. I am not alone. Isaiah 41:10 says. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Coaching moms is something new to me. So new that I haven’t gotten paid for it yet. I wonder as I write that if I just shot all my credibility… But if someone was going to lose faith in me, it probably came awhile ago as I was sharing about being a weary mom who is prone to discouragement. Haha. But I have always been someone who appreciates vulnerability and genuineness. As a mom, I have found it better and more helpful to me to be with other moms who aren’t trying to put on a façade. The truth is that we all struggle and anyone who acts like they don’t is just pretending.

And the beautiful thing about how God works is that I don’t need to ‘have it all together’ to help other moms. If that was the requirement, nobody would ever be able to help anyone else. In fact, we are reminded in 2 Corinthians 12:9 of what God can do with weakness: ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ Amen and thank you God! He can use me in my weakness. In fact, I believe he wants to use me in my weakness.

When we work out of our weaknesses there are a couple different benefits. The first being that we are forced to depend on God. We know that we can’t do it ourselves. The second is that our weaknesses are usually weaknesses that other people share. That means that when we come alongside someone who is struggling with the same weakness, we understand, have some experience, and can share how we have been able to keep moving forward. We need each other in life. And when someone gets us and our struggles, doesn’t that just feel so good??

I want to be that for other moms. Not someone above you, but someone right beside you, still in the battle myself. For some of you, I might be farther along on the journey, but I’m still in the journey nonetheless.

Coaching is a relationship that might be new to some of you, but it is coming alongside someone to offer support, accountability and help along their journey. Coaching can work through so many things and clients can start with so many goals, but ultimately we get to the heart of how you feel about yourself, how you talk to yourself and how you can move forward in a much more positive way. As someone who has been helped in this way myself, I know what a difference even a mindset shift can make to me and those around me.

As usual, thank you so much for reading! It means the world to me! If you are interested in finding out more about coaching, feel free to contact me. Even if it is just to ask a question or to comment on something.

As you move forward today, I hope you take 2 things with you. Number 1—God has given us so many reasons not to be discouraged. If you are feeling discouraged today, I would encourage you to search for one of God’s promises in the Bible that speak to your heart right now. Give yourself something to hang onto and give you courage. Number 2—God can and does work in our weaknesses. Maybe it’s time to not be trying to cover them up all the time. Ask God if there’s a way he wants to use your weaknesses that you haven’t considered before.

A confession…

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