Equipped for Hard Times: Embracing the Journey of Motherhood

Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

JAMES 1:2–4 ESV

Cleere, you have a choice here. You can either be Sledge’s mom, or you can try to be his nurse.” I could feel the shift, as if Jesus were sitting there in the hospital room with me. We had been in the hospital for only three weeks, and baby Sledge did not yet even weigh three pounds. I knew the journey was far from over. My son would be cared for by hundreds of medical professionals during his stay, but there was only one person graced and equipped to be his mama. It felt like the hardest thing ever to surrender and trust the process, but I knew it was the only way I could steward this season well.

The truth is, we are capable of doing hard things. Seasons of uncertainty were never meant to be the exception to a comfortable, easy, predictable life; they are what life is, forcing us to realize our need. Our pride usually requires hard things to learn the art of trusting and depending on God, realizing we can’t do anything good on our own. Our discomfort welcomes the presence of the Comforter and becomes a gateway to experiencing His deep mercy.

This week, you get to be available to the Most High, our wonderful and loving heavenly Father. The beautiful thing about submitting your timeline, desires, and deepest prayers to Him is that He already knows all those things. He is aware of what you want but even more aware of what you truly need. As you make yourself fully available to do His will, He will align your desires with His, molding you into His image and transforming you into the person He created you to be.

It’s okay if you don’t want to do the hard thing— the Holy Spirit will always help you do the holy thing. Whether it’s finishing a task you feel ill-prepared to do, showing up for an appointment where you fear the news you’ll receive, or standing firm in a situation or relationship where it would be easier to cave, you have His undivided attention and care this week.

You have been prepared for this place, you are protected in this place, and God will provide for you in this place. As you wake up, as you work, and as you walk forward into the unknown, take heart in knowing that you have been equipped to do the hard things.