Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17 (NIV)
“That’s the last of it,” my husband sighed as he packed up one final box filled with baby items to donate. He felt accomplished, but I didn’t share his sentiment.
I looked around our basement storage area, a room once filled to the brim with cribs, strollers, and baby gear—the treasured evidence of three miracle babies God had given us in the preceding years.
But now, this room stood empty.
Heavy tears made their way down my cheeks. I felt as empty as that room. As glad as I was to bless other families with these items, releasing them felt like some kind of excruciating emotional exercise.
Even though the cribs, strollers and bouncy chairs had collected dust for a few years, somehow physically getting rid of it felt like a death—an actual letting go of one season and moving into another.
I’ve never been very good at letting go. I wonder if you can relate, mama?
As we mother our children, saying goodbye to one season and moving into another can feel overwhelming and fearful. Consequently, we struggle to keep our minds in check as we scan the horizon for potential threats.
What if she experiences severe separation anxiety at daycare?
What if he struggles to make friends in kindergarten?
What if the workload in middle school is too burdensome?
What if she gets in with the wrong crowd of friends?
“The only thing constant is change,” as the saying goes, and it’s a perfect description of motherhood. Indeed, no two days are alike—our babies are constantly growing and changing!
So how can we embrace the ever-changing reality of motherhood and move from one season to another with joy instead of fear? By reminding ourselves of who God is and how He works in the lives of His children, we can begin to navigate change better.
James, the brother of Jesus, got to witness his brother’s character up close and personal. So when we’re feeling sad, scared or sorrowful about letting go, let’s recall these hope-infused words he penned:
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:16-17 (NIV)
I love how James reminds us to tune our minds to truth instead of the lies that scream fear and doubt. The good gifts in your life today come from the same God who provided them yesterday and will surely supply them tomorrow too.
Motherhood requires us to cultivate the skill of letting go, but we can always cling to the Father. He’s our Rock, the only One who never ever changes!
From babies to teens to adults, God brings good and perfect gifts in every season. Because of this truth, we can face the future without fear. We can know that God will hold and shepherd our hearts as we guide our littles through this ever-changing game of life.
Dear one, you can move through each phase of motherhood with joy because God provides good gifts in each and every season.
Your fellow able mom,
Meredith Carr
Jesus, thank you for giving us good and perfect gifts in every season. Help us to trust in Your goodness as we move through each season of mothering. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Connect with Meredith:
IG: @meredith.h.carr
E-mail: mere@meredithhcarr.com
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