Mama Grit
- Abbey Parsley
- Dec 20, 2024
- 3 min read
“She had to be trusting. She had to be consistent. She had to be courageous in His name. That’s some true mama grit.”
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
It’s that time of year that I’m marinating and ruminating on all things about the Christmas story. Just like Mary’s son, my own son is unique in his own right. And with that comes challenges as his mama that I wasn’t prepared for, that I had to learn. I knew his uniqueness would shine, but I didn’t know the exact situations that would require me to intervene on his behalf. Or even, situations that others created for him that didn’t serve him well. This youngest child of mine occasionally, and quite randomly, will come to me and say, “I need a hug.” (ooooh do I love it) As I wrap my arms around him, I think of Mary.
I wonder what Mary thought when God told her "the government will be on his shoulders”? Did she look at her little baby and know that He would be in situations that would be completely crazy (to basic humans)? Did she know He would walk on water?! That He would turn water into wine?!
I think it’s safe to assume that Mary did know quite a bit (after all, she was told that she was birthing the Son of God), but like me, she didn’t know what she was facing in specific situations. Through Mary’s perspective, I think about the people that doubted Jesus. The ones who mocked Him. The ones who crucified Him. She had to be steadfast in His uniqueness and accepting of it. While she is the mama to our Savior, she’s also human. No one could have truly prepared her for what He would face, and also what she would face as His mama. She had to be a faith-filled mama. She had to be trusting. She had to be consistent. She had to be courageous in His name. That’s some true mama grit.
I feel this. Being a mama that is steadfast in affliction, lays burdens down on behalf of our children over and over again at the cross, prays through what they’re going through, stands next to them when it matters most…..that’s mama grit.
Action Steps:
Take a moment and soak in the tub. Put some Epsom salt in there, definitely lock the door so it’s not a spectator sport, and soak. Remember that mama’s with grit need a second to relax as well.
Ask God to reveal to you in what ways you are holding on too tightly (helicopter momming), write a list. Then ask God to reveal to you in what ways you have stepped back too far, write a list. Ruminate on these each morning before you tackle your children. Oops, I mean tackle the day.
Prayer: Father, I’m so grateful that You chose women to be mamas. I love that You partner with us in this job. Continue to give us discernment and direction in the things we face with our children. And Father, I’m also asking that in those things You give us courage to be mamas with grit. Sometimes it’s hard weighing all the factors and juggling all the things mamas juggle, and we just need confidence and bravery. I’m so incredibly grateful that You chose Mary to be that example for us. Yes and Amen.
Written by Abbey, doing the mama gritty