Weekly Devotion - 11/28/10

"I teach my child right from wrong."
Little ones have so many things to learn: to be gind to others, to tell the truth, to be generous, to work hard, to love God.  Every day I teach my child something new and remind him of what he's already learned.  Still I wonder, will he be ready for the world?  There are so many choices and temptations.  Will he do what's right?  My child may trip and stumble, but God will not let him fall.  God will be holding my child's hand even when I am not.

Today:

I will help my child make the right choices, and I will trust God to help my child when I can't.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for holding my child's hand.  He knows right from wrong, but there are many ways to stumble.  Please hold his hand extra tight when he's out in the world and I can't be by his side.


If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his stip firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
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Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 11/21/10

"I have friends who have children."
Being a mom is definitely rewarding, but at times I feel lonely.  I long for adult conversation, someone who understands what it feels like to be a mother.  Someone who listens to my concerns without necessarily trying to fix them.  Someone who laughs and cries with me.  I need friends who are moms like me.  By spending time with other adults, I'll see that i'm not the only one who has "mommy moments."  I'll have a support system of friends, people to help me up when I fall or fell too tired to go on.

Today:

I will ask a new friend to go with me to the park, come over for tea, or just push strollers around the block.

Heavenly Father, You have given me so much.  How could I ever feel lonely?  Yet You understand my need for friends.  Surround me with the support of other mothers.  Give me the courage to reach out to a new person, to make a new friend.


If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:10
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Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 11/14/10

"I make our home a place of peace and comfort for my child."
My child will experience bumps and bruises, bullies and failure.  Although I won't always be there to protect him from the world, I can make our home a place of peace.  I can spark joy with cookies and laughter, soothe boo-boos with Band-Aids and kisses, and calm fears with warm blankets and soft touches.  God wants us to live in peace.  I can accept His gift of peace by making our home quiet when the world is loud, by making our home safe when the world is scary, and by making our home peaceful when the world is chaotic.  I cannot change the world.  But through God's great sacrifice, I have the power to be at peace, especially in our home.

Today:

My child and I won't rush out into the busy world.  We will stay home and snuggle and find peace.

Thank You God, for the peace You've given my child and me.  When my child is upset or sad, help me to comfort him - to provide security and peace in our home.


I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

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Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 11/7/10

"I teach my child to be generous."

There are toys and treats, goodies and games.  Yet no matter how many of these my child has, there will always be someone who has more - and someone who has less.  God has given my family so much.  How can I teach my child to be thankful for his blessings and to give to others?  I will start with the small.  My young child can give a kind word, offer a smile, share a toy, or comfort a friend.  And as he grows, so will his generosity.  His measure will be great, for no matter what he has, my child can always share his love and his time.

Today:

I will encourage my child to give one of his toys or books to someone in need.  Not a forgotten toy or a torn book, but a belonging he is fond of - one that give him joy.  With that token he will give to someone else - and to himself - the gift of joy.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for Your many blessings.  Help my child and me to share them with others.  Let us give freely and with great joy.



Give, and it will be given to you.A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:38


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Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 10/17/10

"I set the tone in the interactions with my child."
"Not right now."  "As soon as I finish."  "In a minute."  My child says mommy minutes are much longer than regular minutes, and she's right.  It's easy to feel overwhelmed with my to-do list in hand - folding the laundry, cooking dinner, talking on the phone.  My anger and frustration come bubbling up when my child wants my attention and I'm trying to finish just one more thing.  Imagine if I called God's name and He replied, "Just a minute."  Yes, there are times when we all need to be patient and wait, but am I always asking my child to wait?  The to-do list grows every day - and so does my child.

Today:

When my child tugs at my knees or calls, "Mommy," I will turn to her and acknowledge her.  She may still need to wait, but I will give her a gentle answer, knowing, that every moment with her is a gift.

Dear God, thank You for this child.  Help me to be slow to anger, as You are.  When my child calls out to me and I'm busy with the world, let my anger and frustration melt away.

A gentle answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.
PROVERBS 15:1
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Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 10/10/10

"I am an advocate for my child."
Because my child cannot always speak for himself, I am his voice, his petitioner, his advocate.  Sometimes my desire for the world to accept and like my child is so great that I unfairly or aggressively assert on his behalf.  But do my efforts really stem from the genuine needs of my child or from my own desire for my child to be first?  God understands the all-encompassing love I have for my child, but He expects me to be rational.  Good decisions are not made based on feelings alone.  God knows what my child needs and how I can help him best.

Today:
I will be a rational advocate for my child.  I will act based on my child's needs and not just on my emotions.

Dear Lord, temper my emotions and guide me to make rational decisions regarding my child's needs.

Speak up for thosewho cannot speak for themselves.
PROVERBS 31:8
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Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 10/3/10

"I protect my child emotionally and physically." 
As a mother, I believe my greatest job is to protect my child.  I make my home safe and teach her about fires and feelings, but I can't always keep bad things from happening to her.  Sometimes she gets sick or hurt or sad, and I wonder if I've done my job well enough.  But God is my child's true protector, and I must put my trust in Him.  God didn't cause these hurtful things.  But God can help me comfort my child and strengthen her to overcome.

Today:
I will comfort my child in whatever way she needs.  I will love her and encourage her to overcome life's troubles.

Dear God, give me the strength and wisdom to comfort my child in sickness, sadness, and pain.  Protect my child from trouble.

You are my hiding place;you will protect me from troubleand surround me with songs of deliverance.
PSALM 32:7
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Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 9/26/10

"I spend time with my child so I may talk to him and teach him."
Often I'm so busy managing my home, running errands, and taking my child to activities, I wonder how much time I really spend with him.  Yes, I'm always around my child, but are we just rushing from place to place and chore to chore?  Did I stop to talk to him and play with him?  I don't want to miss these fleeting childhood moments.  What would God say is most important?  I want to create a garland to grace the head of my child.

Today:
I will play with my child.  We will read a book together, take a walk, or play a board game.  I will talk with my child and enjoy his company.

Dear heavenly Father, as I move through the day, help me slow down and enjoy the precious moments with my child.  Teach me to be with my child, not just around him.




Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and
do not forsake your mother's teaching.They will be a garland to grace your head and
a chain to adorn your neck. PROVERBS 1:8-9  ***********************

Excerpt from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert

Weekly Devotion - 8/22/10

"I am the most important influence in my child's life and her lifelong teacher."

Being a mom can be overwhelming at times.  I often question whether I'm doing what's right - giving my child the love, attention, and discipline he needs to be successful in school and in life.  I need to remember how blessed I am and that God chose me to raise this beautiful child because He knows I'm capable.  He knows I'll make some mistakes, but He also knows I will be a good mother.


Today:
I will be a confident mother and thank God for the opportunity to raise my child.

Dear Lord, help me to be a good mother.  Fill my heart with confidence and the understanding that You trust me to care for and teach this beautiful child.


Train a child in the way he should go,and when he is oldhe will not turn from it.PROVERBS 22:6  ***********************

Excerpted from "I'm a Good Mother: A Devotional Book for the Not-So-Perfect Mom"
by Gigi Schweikert