Today, Elizabeth Murphy shared a GREAT talk about Mom Guilt!! She started out by telling us that guilt is a legal status...We are either guilty or not guilty! Because "guilt" is a legal term, she structured her talk around things found in a trial/court room. She talked about the Facts, the Witnesses, the Jury, and the Judge.
The Facts:
There is "false guilt" and there is "real guilt".
When you think you have done something wrong, ask yourself, "Am I actually guilty (real guilt) or do I just feel guilty (false guilt)?"
Guilt does have a purpose, which is to help us learn something.
We are all gonna screw up at some point......we need to be able to learn from our mistakes and then move on from them. If we don't, we can become paralyzed by guilt.
ACTION STEP: If you feel guilty, examine the situation. Ask yourself, "What is my part in this and what am I going to do about it?" If you ARE guilty, confess and apologize.
The Witnesses:
In a trial, these are the people that comment on the facts.
As mothers, the only true witnesses are our children. They are the only ones who know how much you love them!
ACTION STEP: Interview your kids; let THEM (not other people/strangers) be the witnesses to your mothering!
The Jury:
In the court room, the jury is watching what happens but they only hear the facts that are stated out loud. They are only working with what has been presented to them.
Don't let others make you feel like a bad mom.
ACTION STEP: Make a list of who you allow to form your expectations of motherhood and WHY.
The Judge:
The only true Judge of our mothering is God! Don't give His power to judge to any one else!
He understands us because He made us and knows our past, present, and future.
YOU are the mom that God picked for your children!
ACTION STEP: Feeling guilty? Pray it out and ask for God's help!
God loves me because I am his child, not because I am someone's mother.
"The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts so he understands everything they do." Psalm 33:13-15
Click HERE to watch the "Reflections of Motherhood" video.
This blog is dedicated to the Moms of Influence group at Northbrook Church in Richfield, WI.
