Introduction

Dear Mom,

If your household is anything like mine, each morning is a hustle and bustle toward
getting everyone where they need to be while taking care of the needs of the home.
Sometimes, the "things" of life can overshadow the joy that motherhood is intended
to elicit. The "weight of the world" can easily bruise a Mom's shoulders. The more
things that you need to accomplish, the more opportunity that you have to feel
ineffective. That is why it is imperative to walk every day and every moment in the
strength, ability, and fullness of God working in and through you.

Moms are such a pivotal part to the success of the home. It is our warmth, nurturing
spirit, and ability to do fifty things at once that work together to help our family
members reach their potential. However, our society places very little importance
on such a grand job. Having pride in the cleanliness of our home or working hard to
invest into our children or husband are not opportunities which will bring many to
shower praise upon us. However, without productive Moms, the standard functioning
of the home will unravel. Each person in the home holds a strategic and powerful
position. The amount of success of each position relies upon two things:

1. the amount of help Mom receives from her Heavenly Father
2. the consistency of her confidence in her calling.

When Mom is at her best, all of the household rises in their potential. She is the
backbone of launching her children into their future as well as her husband's
biggest fan. Having so many others who depend upon Mom can sometimes drain her
of her strength, ability, gifts, peace, and energy. That is why is it so very important for
Mom to make every effort to rejuvenate herself. If Momma's happy, everyone's happy!
And the truest source of renewal and rejuvenation is our Heavenly Father.

The Bible is our answer book. It is a guide to how to successfully live every aspect of
our lives. It is designed to guide us to all truth. It is a gift from a lavish and loving Heavenly
Father to His beloved children. It is truly our road map for survival and triumph for our
journey. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that the Word of God will not return unto Him void,
but will accomplish that which He pleases and will prosper in the thing where unto He sent it.
The Bible also tells us that the Word of God is, "living and active." That life and activity has
the power to cause all the work of your hands as a Mom to be prosperous.

I work hard to have a household of peace. But it takes a lot of work, a lot of time and energy,
and a whole lot of help from my Heavenly Father. That is why I make every effort to remind
myself that I don't have to do this on my own. I don't have to do all of the work. God wants to
work in me both to will and do of His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:3) The eyes of the Lord run to
and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart
is perfect toward Him. (II Chr. 16:9) He is actively looking and desiring to pour His goodness,
mercy, loving-kindness, strength, wisdom, and ability into me so that I can do all He needs me
to do in this earth. In conjunction with that, He is using me an an ambassador of His nature
before my family.

The most fundamental requirement for a successful journey as a Mom is patience. You must
let, "patience have her perfect work so that you will be a person perfect and entire, lacking in nothing." (James 1:4)
It is imperative that you take the time to remind yourself daily that you
can do this and that you will see the "goodness of God in the land of the living."
(Psalm 27:13)
If you will "not grow weary in well doing" you will "reap because you faint not. "
(Galatians 6:9)
That "well doing" can only be taught through study of the Bible.

I have found that going without time in prayer and study of the Bible makes all of the burdens
of life feel like 2-ton barbells pushing down upon me. When I have to walk in my journey as
a wife, mother, and servant of God in my own strength, it is a very hard journey. However,
Jesus has already given me the answer for this situation:

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV): 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek, and lowly in
heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 14:26-27 (AMP): 26But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate,
Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place,
to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to
recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. 27Peace I
leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do
I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing
yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and
cowardly and unsettled.]

I began this book because I needed it for my household. Having just have my fourth child,
and having three children under the age of 5 in my house, I found myself too "rushed" and
"needed" to have my standard 30-45 minutes of daily Bible study that I so loved. Knowing
the importance of staying "fed" on the Bible, I sought a resolution to this quickly-growing
problem in my life.

God gave me the idea to put onto paper things that would inspire me to simply do the job of
being a Mom. In my opinion, Mom is the bedrock upon which a happy, healthy,and full family
is built. This is why Mom needs to do what it takes to keep her sanity and hold onto her provision
of ability from God. Only He can fulfill the calling of Mom in her. Only He can give her the
equipment necessary to be a success.

I wrote this book for me. I offer it to you so that you can have a quick pick-me-up and to remind
you of the promises of God regarding your ability to be a productive and successful Mom.
Hopefully, each time you read these devotions will cause enthusiasm to be sparked
within your home.

Read these devotions and then audibly speak the confessions. As you do, you will see your
light shine stronger and your peace blossom! I am praying for your rejuvenation and for
the peace of your home to overflow!

With warmest love and sincerest respect,

Cindy Holmes, BSW
Mom to Micah, Asher, Hannah-Beth, Kelly-Grace, and David