I’m so happy to be sharing a guest post from my friend and author Lindsey Bell today! Enjoy her words and her beautiful heart, and be sure to enter her book giveaway at the end of the post… just in time for Mother’s Day!

Dear Moms Everywhere (What You Really Need to Know)

When people asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, “mom” was always on the top of my list. Being a mother was something I dreamed about…something I just knew I would love.

And I do love being a mom. I adore my children more than I ever thought possible.

But there’s also a part of me that (if I’m honest) admits the reality of motherhood doesn’t exactly match the picture I had in my mind. I assumed I would love every minute of being a mom. I assumed my heart would be overflowing with love for my children all the time.

I do love my kids, but I don’t love every minute of being a parent.

There are some moments (some days) that are just plain hard. The lovey-dovey emotions aren’t always present in my home. Some days—often those that are busier than normal—I have to fight to find joy.

As a “list person” who loves the feeling of accomplishing a task, being a mother is difficult. There aren’t many things to cross off a list at the end of the day (unless, of course, I can count picking up Cheerios and toy cars numerous times).

There is no reward for cleaning vomit or scrubbing floors.

There is no trophy, promotion, or bonus for a job well done.

But today, mom, I want you to know something: Though you might not receive a reward in this life, you WILL receive one in the next. 

Someday, God is going to look at you with tears in His eyes, beaming with pride, and say, “Well done, Mom.” He notices when you stay up all night with your child. He notices when you respond in love (even when everything inside of you is screaming another reaction). He notices when you fight for your marriage. He notices when you give your child time after a long day of work.

He is the God who sees, and he sees YOU.

What you do every single day matters. It matters for the here and now, but it also matters for eternity.

You are raising world-changers. You are making a difference.

On those days when you wonder if what you are doing matters, please know that it does.

– Lindsey

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Lindsey is giving away 1 copy of her new parenting devotional called Searching for Sanity every week until May 11^th! Use the Rafflecopter form in this post to enter to win. Then, check her blog every week to find a new giveaway!

Let’s Talk: What is one thing you think all mothers need to know? 

About Lindsey: Lindsey Bell is the author of Searching for Sanity: 52 Insights from the Parents of the Bible. She’s also a stay-at-home mother of two, minister’s wife, avid reader, and chocolate lover. You can find Lindsey online at any of the following locations:

Her blog: www.lindsey-bell.com

Her website: www.lindseymbell.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LindseyMBell

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLindseyBell

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/LindseyMBell01

About Searching for Sanity: 

Have you ever looked at your beloved children and wondered, what in the world am I doing? Why did God trust me—of all people—to raise them? Motherhood is the most difficult job many of us will ever take. Searching for Sanity offers moms an opportunity to take a breath, dig into the Word, and learn from parents of the past. In short devotions designed for busy moms, this book uses the parents of the Bible—both the good and the bad—to inspire today’s mothers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway