Encouragement for Moms in Challenging Times

“I can’t imagine having kids at a time like this” 

I was loading my very full cart of groceries onto the conveyor belt at Aldi when the lady behind me said these words a few months ago. 

“Oh, haha. Yeah, they’re eating us out of house and home.” I replied, trying to be amicable, trying to keep the prickles of annoyance out of my voice. I moved on as quickly as I could, but still felt the tension in my body as I packed our groceries in reusable bags and left the store.

When I relayed the story to my husband later that night I added, “I mean I wasn’t sure what to do with that information. I don’t have a time machine to go back to the 1990s and raise my kids when eggs were a dollar a dozen. She wasn’t offering up her credit card to foot the grocery bill, so why bother saying anything at all.” 

My husband nodded at all the right moments in response to my fuming. “She’s dumb.” he said and we moved on to talk about other things. 

But those words came back to me this week, a week where the news (again, again) felt very dark and heavy. “I can’t imagine having kids right now.” I didn’t have an answer for the lady at the checkout line months ago, but now I do. 

The truth is, I can’t imagine not. I’m unsure how I would crawl out of the covers each day to the world being the ultimate dumpster fire. The unmitigated disasters and heartache would spin me down, down, down. 

Instead, I get to crawl out of bed to rumpled heads and morning breath; to four beautiful, tiny humans full of joy and hope and mismatched socks. I tell them not to track mud into the house. To not argue. To be kind. I change diaper after diaper. I kiss chubby cheeks. 

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I make the world’s best peanut butter sandwich and play in (and win!) a mancala tournament. I agree that the Christmas tree should stay up a little longer. I take them to basketball practice and help them study for book battles. 

They teach me words like “sigma rizz” as we snuggle in bed. (Have you ever been invited to an official snugglefest with a 7 and 8 year old boy? I have. )They tell me about their friends and how they bond over their shared concern about pollution. They’re certain they will solve it quickly. (And maybe they will—Gen Alpha is quite clever.) 

Biblical Encouragement for Moms in Challenging Times

We’ve been learning Bible verses together in our evening circle time and I finally wrote out the verses on a stack of notecards for us to review. In colorful pen I copied down: 

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” -Phillippians 4:13

“Do not be afraid for I am with you; do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good and what the Lord requires of you. But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another. Just as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32

Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. -Matthew 7:12

To raise children in a challenging time (and aren’t all times challenging in their own way?) I’m leaning on the promises of God. The best message for moms is the unchanging truths of who He is and who He has called me to be as His beloved child in a world full of beloved children. 

Sometimes I wish the eggs were cheaper, the conversations easier, and the world kinder. 

But my hope is fixed on Jesus. I know He will give me strength. I know fear and discouragement won’t win because He is holding me up in victory. I know how to support justice, mercy, and humility–in others and in myself. I know how to be kind. (Even with annoying people at the grocery store who I wish would just shut up.) I know how to treat others as I would like to be treated. 

You tell me “You could never have children in these trying and unprecedented times” and I only know that with Jesus at my side, life is still abundant and vibrant and beautiful. Even here. Even now. Especially here. Especially now. 

Father, free us from discouragement and fear by your strong and steady presence. Flood us with reminders of your never-ending love and unshakeable promises. In dark times may we be led by Your light alone. Thank you for the gift of my children–especially here, especially now.  Amen. 

P.S. Want some help in teaching your children Scripture truths from a young age? Check out the Growing Faith Toolkit, a 21 page digital resource and guide for helping moms of littles take their first steps of faith.