‘I’ve been a mom for 27 years. I still have no idea what I’m doing, but God does.’: Mom says ‘a family that prays together, stays together’

“Mommas, I’ve been a mom for almost 27 years. While I’ve learned a lot over the years about parenting, for the most part, I still have no idea what I am doing. But, thankfully, God does.

I’ve watched him carry all the slack and fill in every gap as I’ve fumbled my way through the heart rush and heartache of raising three kids.

If I dare to admit I’ve done anything right on my own accord throughout my motherhood journey, it’s been a willingness to pray unceasingly.

Prayers for guidance and strength to be the mom my kids deserve. Prayers for their health, safety, and well-being. Prayers to keep me sane, prayers for healing during times of crisis, prayers of thanksgiving for countless blessings.

This constant communication with God has carried me through the best and the worst of times, even when it felt like the conversation was one-sided. I’ve learned over time that God often does his best teaching by remaining silent. Although I’m not sure I’ll ever be a super-fan of this tactic…just sayin’.

Prayer is a lifeline for all five of us, individually and as a collective. Which is why this picture will go down as one of my all-time favorite family photos.

This was snapped at my oldest son’s wedding just before the ceremony began. My husband and I and our other two children laying hands on him in prayer asking God to bless his new marriage and protect him and his new bride, and thanking God for the gift of an amazing son and brother. Gah. I’m still tearing up over the beauty of it all.

Aren’t these the moments we live for with our kids, mommas? The moments when time seems to stand still, all the noise in the world fades, and we are able to simply experience the fullness of God’s abundant love?

Now, more than ever, I feel like I need to be even more intentional about creating space for these moments to happen. I’m always praying, but the ‘praying together’ moments are so powerful and necessary. Not just in our personal families, but in our friendship circles, our communities, our society, our world.

A family that prays together, stays together. And goodness knows God’s family needs some staying power these days…”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Shelby Spear of Finding Grace in the Mishmash. You can follow their journey on Instagram and Pinterest. Submit your own story here and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read more stories from Shelby:

‘I prayed every night for years God would change me.’ The loving environment I created for my kids was now in full question.’: Christian mom to LGBT daughter urges ‘LOVE is the answer’

’26 years ago, he was laid into my arms for the first time. Love settled on me like a weighted blanket. I prayed for his health and happiness with every inch of my heart space.’: Mom says ‘the dreams we dare to dream for our children really do come true’

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