The Gift of Delight

“God's model for our motherhood is that we can choose to delight in the miracle of those beautiful humans we’ve been given to care for.”

“The lord your god is among you, a warrior who save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you with his love. He will delight over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Being a mom can be hard, no matter the age of our kids. We put in so much time raising, nurturing, and guiding our kids that sometimes it’s easy to feel more like a task manager than anything else, but we miss a biblical gift that is ours for the taking when that is all we focus on. God sets the example of sacrificial parenting, of biblical discipline, of loving rebuke…but He also sets the example of extravagantly delighting in our kids, and it’s not just for them…but for OUR hearts too!

Delighting in our kids is a GIFT in our motherhood! It is a happiness given to us as a grace from God. Zephaniah 3:17 is a glimpse of how the Father views us. It paints a picture of someone standing with their arms stretched out wide and spinning in circles as they sing songs and whoop for joy!

Like a kid who is so excited that they just can’t contain their happiness, God, your Father does this over your children, and He does it over the thought of YOU too. Maybe this truth is already a facet of your daily life, having had “delighting” modeled to you by a parent or grandparent. But, if this sounds a bit foreign, or you find yourself at your wits end with a colicky baby, a hormonal teen, or an adult child who is choosing to walk a path that breaks your heart, I want to encourage you to spend time with God. Ask Him for fresh eyes to see them as He sees them, and a soft heart to delight in those kids. God's model for our motherhood is that we can choose to delight in the miracle of those beautiful humans we’ve been given to care for. 

If delighting is a new to you, the truth is, you may have to cultivate it. Look for the things about your kids that make you smile, even if you have to dig deep in this season. Allow your heart to celebrate those things—the way their eyes crinkle when they smile, their witty one-liners, their own joy in the outdoors, the way they say a certain word all wrong. And then let your kids see your delight. I have a feeling that it will do wonders in both your hearts. I’m praying for you and your delight, momma. May you see it as a gift of God waiting for you to open, and may you never put it down.

Action Steps:

• Listen to “You Delight in Me” by Life center Worship

• Listen to our newest podcast episode “Delighting In Our Children”, available today!

Prayer: Father, we bless You, that of all the things You could have been, You are love, and You are love towards us. Thank You that You delight in us, Your children. Help us to follow Your example and not miss the gift of delighting in the beautiful souls You’ve given us to nurture. We ask all things in the faithful name of our savior, Jesus.

Written by Brooke, delighted by 3 beautiful children

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