How to Be a Good Mom
Being a mother isn’t for the faint of heart. That’s why you sometimes wonder, “Am I a good mom?” It’s hard work and can be thankless work, but being a good mom is a good work. It’s worth the effort.
The Bible is a book that has a lot to say about the value of parenting and even has some guidance on doing it.
Consider these tips on how to be a good mom:
1. Love your children. And let them know you love them. Being a mom is hard and can be exhausting. Kids don’t understand the physical and emotional cost to provide, protect and care for them. In their innocence they take it for granted. But a good mom knows that real love involves sacrifice. Giving with no promise of return. The Bible says that there’s no greater love than laying down your life for another person (John 15:13). A good mom loves through it all.
2. Say “No.” Love your children enough to say “No” when they do wrong. Back it up with appropriate discipline (but not in anger). Be sure you and your husband agree, though; children are very adept at playing off one parent against the other! Always letting a child have his or her own way is easier in the moment, and it may seem like the loving thing to do at the time, but in reality it’s a sure recipe for problems later on. For new mothers that may seem hard, but a good mom decides in advance what limits she will place on her children and is prepared to back them up. The Bible says the person who truly loves his or her child is diligent to discipline them (Proverbs 13:24). A good mom disciplines because she loves.
3. Create space. Nobody can be who they should be all the time every day. Often, a few minutes to relax at the end of the day can work wonders. Of course, it’s nice to get away for the occasional weekend but you would be surprised how a nice dinner date can be just what the doctor ordered. Being a good mom means carving out time to recharge and refresh. Your kids will notice.
4. Forgive yourself. You are going to blow it. You’re not perfect, and it’s perfectly fine if your kids know that. But handle it the right way. A good mom asks her kids for forgiveness when she needs to. Not only that, a good mom knows she needs God’s forgiveness so that she can fully love and forgive others.
At the end of the day, being a good mom, or filling any role you may have, starts with having your own heart at peace. It begins by knowing the God who made you. The God who sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for you so that you can be forgiven—so that you can live full of hope and free to love and serve your kids.
What makes a good mom? The first step is asking Jesus to be a part of your life. Have you done that?
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Sin Separates Us
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Remedy: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."
Revelation 3:20
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."
Did you pray this prayer?
