Being a good mom is hard work.
It means being patient, kind and loving.
It means not pulling my hair out when I can’t get one second alone.
It means not having a second to do one little task without being tackled.
It means answering the same question, in the same way, for the 100th time.
Motherhood takes will power to be good.
Many times, I just don’t have it. But, I pretend I do. So, I load myself up with a lot of excuses to make my insides not feel like my outsides.
I try to tell myself – any mom, would get annoyed!
“Moms look at their cell phones all the time.”
“It’s natural to want to hide when things get tough.”
“If they would act right, I would too.”
“At least I am better than the worst time.”
“I did that because they have to learn how to act right.”
Excuses are funny.
Aren’t excuses really just little sweet lies covered with a smile?
They’re chocolate on the outside, yet have arsenic on the inside.
Crutches that keep us in sin?
We walk with them, but we stumble over ourself again and again never really getting anywhere.
Hinderances to our recovery?
We try to look fully recovered, but we don’t let God heal.
I am tired of barriers. Barriers just block us out for God’s great promised land of joy waiting for us. Every time. They. Block. Us. Out.
With this, on this very good day, this very good day that cost one so much. I plead with God to help me take down all the boundaries that keep me from him.
I am humbled at the thought of him.
One who walked the road to Calvary with no excuses.
One who could have said, “Why should I die for those sinners, I am so much better than that.”
Or “I’m not doing a thing for them, for who have mocked me, tormented me and beat me.”
But, he didn’t utter excuses at the cross.
Instead he carried our load, he carried our cross, he endured the shame and the pain and didn’t run the other way. He took it all so that we could take our place next to him in heaven.
He is entirely good. No pretenses. No facades. No excuses. Simply good.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
I praise God that he is good. Because in him, I am good too. I am released from all excuses and free to accept his free grace. My inadequacies are covered.
No excuse is every required, because whatever it is I am trying to excuse is already covered. In this, I am free to bring everything to him without shame, without regret and with a humble heart. In his hands, he will change my ways and help me to be more than myself.
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. (Ps. 145:9)
Free grace is continually poured out due to his goodness. Abundant love is always being extended due to his sacrifice. My life will never be the same; he marked all days as “good enough”. My days are forever changed.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Ps. 136:1)
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Today I join #LiveFreeThursday and Five Minute Friday.
“free grace is continually poured out because of His goodness”….YES! So thankful for that grace and goodness. I need so much of it every single day. Hope you have a blessed Easter, Kelly. #FMFparty.
Thanks Leah. Have an amazing day. I pray God is with you this weekend encouraging and loving on you. I pray it’s tangible.
Kelly- This is beautiful. Thanks for the reminder that I am good in Him… because of Him. This line states it perfectly: “Because in him, I am good too. I am released from all excuses and free to accept his free grace. ” Amen! Have a blessed Easter!
Thank you Karen. Have a blessed Easter too. Christ is so good to us!
Kelly, wow. I love the way you explain excuses “sweet little lies covered in a smile.” Ouch. That is too true. It’s so easy to run with excuses and not even realize it. Thank you for this timely reminder! You are pointing people to Jesus. Keep it up! Love & Blessings sweet friend!
I know, those stinkin’ excuses. They are so easy to fall into, but they leave us trapped in ourselves. I hope you have a fabulous Easter weekend Micah.
“I praise GOD that HE is good. Because in HIM, I am good too. I am released from all excuses and free to accept HIS free grace. My inadequacies are covered.” <—- Yes, yes, yes!!! Wow! I love that so much! Grateful that no matter how much we lack within ourselves, we are always sufficient in HIM! Love you, my friend! Thank you for sharing this! Infinite blessings to you, Love! 🙂
#DanceWithJESUSLinkup 😉
Amen Tai! I praise God we are secure, covered, loved and always valued. Happy Easter dear one.
Kelly, thank you for joining in at #livefreeThursday. I always look forward to your beautiful face popping up as a link.
And thank you, Father, for a no excuses walk to the cross for each of us. What a gift!
Thank you Suzie. You are so sweet. May you have a blessed Easter weekend.
I’m so thankful that Jesus paid that heavy price for me. You’re right, excuses serve as a cover up for sin. Instead, I need to look at my sin and recognize my need for for Jesus, who made no excuses. This was beautiful.
Me too. I praise Christ this weekend for his sacrifice. Happy Easter Dawn.
I love your reminder that because of Him I am seen as good in the Father’s eyes.
Thank you Amy. We are so good in his eyes. I celebrate this with you today.
“Because in him, I am good too. I am released from all excuses and free to accept his free grace. My inadequacies are covered.” I know the truth in this but it can be so hard to accept some days.
Wonderful post! Love your transparency around motherhood!
Thanks Liz. I know what you mean, it can be so hard when you come face-to-face with those inadequacies. I totally get you.
This is similar to my post today. I had such a grumpy morning. Feeling grumpy over the silliest things. Then I stopped to consider what Jesus did for me without complaint. I was allowing my pride to rear its ugly head. Thank you for this timely reminder.
Thank you Amy. It’s so easy for pride to get in the way. I totally know what you mean. I hope you have a Happy Easter.
Thank you for your post Kelly, and for helping me see excuses for the barriers they are. Barriers that block God’s grace, joy, and my fellowship with Him. Such a powerful message that I know will help me break through my excuses and into obedience.
Oh, I pray Janet that it helps you breakthrough. God is calling you to greater love in Him.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Ps. 136:1) AMEN! In our weakness and faults, He is good.
Kelly, I love your writing. Thank you for sharing, for loving, for encouraging so many. Happy Easter!
Susan, I hope and pray you had the most amazing Easter. Thank you for your encouraging words to me. Much love to you.
Thank you so much for this. Bless your heart, thanks for being direct, but still applying simplicity. Sometimes we think that the crutches are lifelong, but it’s a choice we can walk away from. God bless your heart. No more lies! !!
Thank you Lucy. I am glad that the words spoke to you. Let’s let go of the lies! I am with you.
Kelly, God has given you so much wisdom to share as a young mom. Your words are relatable and truly a blessing!
Thank you so much Kristine. Your words are so encouraging.
[…] Ballarie writes in When Excuses Rule , “Motherhood takes will power to be good. Many times, I just don’t have it. But, I […]