Have you ever thought of motherhood as a marathon? It may not be the first thing that comes to mind but in many ways that’s what it is. What moms need is more than patience, it’s endurance to run the race God has put before them!

We raise babies into toddlers, toddlers into kids, kids into teenagers and teenagers into adults. It takes blood, sweat and tears to get them from swaddling blankets to driver’s licences and then all we can do is watch as they start their own lives.

The reward for being a mother may not happen right away. Some days it seems like you aren’t going anywhere. The task God has set before you can be daunting and frustrating. The tantrums and meltdowns, arguments and negotiations between a parent and child can feel overwhelming.

But it isn’t a sprint. Raising children into adulthood isn’t going to happen if you try to run it faster. You can’t will them through a difficult stage, all you can do is love them through it.

What Moms Need More Than Patience is Endurance

I often have to remind myself of this. My little boys aren’t so little anymore, they are changing before my eyes and I don’t want to sprint through these years.

Don’t get me wrong, the baby stage was ROUGH. And my body still has not fully recovered from pregnancy/postpartum. Yes, three years later and I am still dealing with pain related to child bearing.

Motherhood is no joke, but what I realized is what moms need more than patience is endurance.

We need to take things one step at a time. We face one challenge, whether it’s blocked milk ducts, a teething baby or a potty training toddler…we take it in stride because that is who we are. God didn’t ask us to do every motherhood task perfectly or within a set timeline. He asked us to do it in the way that best suits the situation, and He asks us to do it with love.

Love Your Children to the Finish Line

It takes endurance, sometimes more than patience to be a mother. And where does this endurance come from? Love. That is the only way we can meet all those difficult situations without falling apart.

When we remember that it is love that conquers all, from death to colicky babies, it helps us dig a little deeper and endure the difficult motherhood moments.

Not only that, but God knows how hard it is and wants to walk with you as you run this the marathon. He will provide you with the strength you need to make it through, and fill your love cup so it can overflow into your children.

Enjoy the good days and look for good in the bad days. Things like when the baby smiles or the way your kid wraps their arms around your butt while you are trying to make a meal. These are the things God gives us to help us love our kids through the tough days.

God has promised endurance for this motherhood journey. He knows that what moms need is more than an extra strong coffee and messy bun; they need endurance so they can run their race and love their children to the finish line.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Hebrews 11:1

Feeling a dry love cup and need a little reminder about God’s promise to you? Grab Ann Voskamp’s 40 day devotional “Loved to Life” and be reminded of everything Jesus is! Available on Amazon.

Or If you are struggling with your identity in motherhood, read my post “Who Does God Say I Am?“

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