New Year, New Mercies: A Mom’s Reflection

As moms, it can be easy to blame ourselves when our kids mess up and make wrong choices. 

One of the things I love about the new year is the reminder of God’s new mercies and how He restores. So even when we experience those days of disappointment in parenthood, we can have hope that God makes all things new.  

In these tween and teen years, our kids are trying to become their own person, which can create some bumps along the way. So, instead of blaming every one of their wrong choices on ourselves, it can be helpful to remember that our kids are not robots and that they will make mistakes. Just like we do.

And it can help to think back to our own childhoods, which were woven with wonderful, but also difficult moments, when we might not have made the best choices. 

This is where God’s grace comes in. We need Him. Our kids need Him. 

One of the hardest things about being a mom is opening our hands and not being able to control our kids’ choices. 

But one of the best things about being a mom is opening our hands and not being able to control our kids’ choices. 

Letting them have wings to fly and become who God has intended them to be—not who we think they should be. 

Release the control, and open-handedly trust the Lord with your kids, as you depend on Him to lead you. 

If you are blaming yourself, trust the Lord with your life as a parent, as a daughter of the King—your mistakes, your decisions, your joys. Release them to the Lord.

As the new year brings a fresh view of what’s to come, 

every. single. day. also offers a fresh experience of God’s grace and newness. 

With your child, He can make all things new. 

He can turn around things where you don’t see hope. 

That’s what God does. 

Keep pouring into your daughter. Your son. Lift them to the Lord again and again. Share the refreshing Word of God with them. Spend time with them. Instead of correcting all the time, listen to them. 

And trust the Lord–that He will make all things work for the good of those who love Him.

As this new year begins, be reminded of the glorious hope we have with Jesus, who makes all things new. 

As my friend, Paige Pippin, so beautifully wrote in her Christmas card:

“If you’re reading this, we’re praying for you. (We are!) Now and in days to come, we celebrate the love of God, who sent His sinless Son to die the death we deserve. For those who trust in the risen King Jesus, there is peace and fellowship with God as we wait for Him to set all things right. In Jesus, the best is yet to come. 

Let the new year be a reminder that in Jesus, the best is yet to come. 

Let the new year, remind you of God’s endless mercies, endless grace, endless love.

And that the best if yet to come. 

Happy New Year!

Linsey

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelations 21:5