Doin My Best Mom: Real Moms Aren't Perfect and Don't Have Perfect Children

Well except for me that is. ;) Just kidding. I've been putting off this post to ensure that I write just the right thing, a bit of the perfectionist in me. LOL! But in reality, what is perfection?

There are many different ways to describe and define perfection or the word perfect. It is my understanding that it means to do things flawlessly and without error. How in the world can I put this into my motherhood season?!? According to wikipedia and the origination of perfection it is this "The word "perfection" derives from the Latin "perfectio", and "perfect" — from "perfectus." These expressions in turn come from "perficio" — "to finish", "to bring to an end." "Perfectio(n)" thus literally means "a finishing", and "perfect(us)" — "finished", much as in grammatical parlance. ("perfect tense"). "

So if I'm applying perfection to motherhood in this sense it would be IMPOSSIBLE! Impossible because you are never "finished" when you become a mom. I will always be a mom. So why would I hold impossible standards of what society deems as perfection to myself as a mother? I do not know.

I love that I know and understand that where I fall short, God picks up the slack. I take my kids through life. I teach them all I know. I show them how and I will be there when they fall. But in all of these experiences, I will never be "perfect." The chapter states, "If we were actually able to accomplish perfection, why would we, or our kids, need God?" This simple reminder tells me that God is there no matter what. I can strive to be the best mother I can be for me and my kids. God shows me that I have the ability and power to mother my children.

There is never one "right" way to be a mom. So many of us compare our imperfections to our friends and family that "seem" to have it going the right direction. But when I think about how perfection means "finished" or "completed" I will not be perfect. And I refuse to be perfect because I do NOT want to be done being a mother.

I do tend to try to be a perfectionist, and when I fail, it doesn't feel good. But I know that when I do my best with my children, and see their smiling faces and help them succeed in things, I know I'm doing my best.

My house may not always be clean and my kids may not always be in matching clothes, but I'm doing my best.

Bible passage for thought: Proverbs 31

Sayings of King Lemuel

¹ The sayings of King Lemuel—an oracle ^a]">[a] his mother taught him:
² "O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows, ^b]">[b]
³ do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.
⁴ "It is not for kings, O Lemuel—
not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,
⁵ lest they drink and forget what the law decrees,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
⁶ Give beer to those who are perishing,
wine to those who are in anguish;
⁷ let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
⁸ "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
¹⁰ ^c]">[c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Real Mom Moments:

• A real mom shoves all the dirty dishes in the oven when an unexpected friend arrives.
• A real mom makes mistakes on a daily basis but keeps on chugging along, trying to get better.

Peace be with you all!