I’ve been noticing a trend on social media lately. Maybe it’s because I’m a mom myself, maybe it’s a real revolution, maybe it’s simply a byproduct of moms having too much isolation from other adults (and, you know, the world). But it seems that moms have a real significant presence on social media, specifically in the entrepreneurial space.
Because so many influencers and entrepreneurs in social media are moms, I see a lot of posts like this:
“You got this, mama!”
“Take time for you - you deserve it!”
“No one understands how hard we moms have it.”
“Don’t forget to put yourself first!”
“Moms are superheroes. They really can do it all!”
Now I’m not here to refute any of those statements. Heck, I make similar comments myself multiple times a day when I do Instagram engagement for clients or make my own social posts, and I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t believe that moms are truly amazing renaissance women who need the kind of connection and community social media can provide to those stuck at home with babes all day.
But.
I’ve noticed something in myself personally begin to shift as I’ve embraced this Super Moms mentality.
Last weekend, my husband spent every minute trying to help out with errands, give me much needed time away from the kids, and spend quality time with me. I repaid him with biting comments, zero gratitude, and an entitled lack of respect. After he finally called me out on my behavior because, let’s face it, I was being horrible, I took some time to process where this entitlement was rooted in me.
I spend all of my working hours collaborating and interacting with moms and mompreneurs. I am constantly reading, writing, and editing posts about “self-care” and what moms “deserve” and how much we “sacrifice” as moms, from our bodies to our careers to our sanity. I’ve spent so much time immersed in this space that I’ve begun to see the world around me through the lens of what I need and deserve as a work-from-home mom. So I decided it was time to take off my rose-colored glasses and try to understand what I really deserve.
You know what we mamas deserve? The same as every other human being on the planet: nothing.
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
You know who has truly sacrificed everything, including His own life, for the sake of His children? Jesus.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
So who am I to say I deserve anything? Who am I to tout my sacrifices like a badge of honor earned through the trials of motherhood? It is pride that tells me I deserve a break from my kids, or my career is more important than my husband’s, or that I’m amazing because I do X, Y, and Z.
Mama, you are pretty amazing. The things you have balanced on your plate all at once can feel overwhelming - trust me, I get it. But turning to social media for validation about how overworked, overtired, and overwhelmed you are is a Band-Aid solution to a real heart problem. Peace cannot truly be found outside of the One whose name is Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Does this mean I can’t uplift, empower, and encourage my fellow mamakind? Of course not! What it does mean is that I need to also uplift and glorify my God and remember that all these things come from and through Him. I need to remember the One who created me, gave me these children, and gives me the strength to raise them every day.
I don’t know about you, but I think I need to spend a little less time elevating myself and my fellow mamas and a lot more time glorifying the One who really does deserve it.
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)