A guest blog by Bonnie Gay

As one mom to another can I just share with you something I’ve experienced? No, I’m not Josh, but I’m happy to be guest-blogging for him this week. Hey, as moms we juggle a lot of stuff. I want you to know that your value and your identify aren’t in that stuff – the mom stuff. Your value and the reality of who you are can only be found in Jesus.

The enemy will attempt use your relationship with your child to keep you from your true identity. He does this through distraction. Here’s how:

1. He’ll tell you that you’re not a good mom: So you’ll dive in and be the best mom ever. After all, a good mom will always defer her time and energy to care for the needs of her child over her own needs. But if mom isn’t discerning the child’s need vs. want, it can lead to the erosion of many healthy boundaries – for the child and for mom. Weigh the request. Maybe one book before bed is just enough. Then go read a good book yourself – you know, the one God wrote just for you.

2. He’ll tell you what your child needs: Yes, Super Mom – you must have a well-maintained home and arrange enough well-planned social interaction and experiences to produce a well-rounded child who has three perfectly well-balanced meals each day. Well mom, when was the last time you sat down for coffee – with Jesus? What your child needs is a mom who has a healthy relationship with God. Make sure your well-timed schedule includes a one-on-one session with Jesus.

3. He’ll tell you that you’re the only one for the job:You need to be the one who changes every diaper, wipes every booger, runs every errand, attends every game, every dance, every field trip, every doctor appointment, cleans up every mess, checks every homework problem, fixes every social dilemma, and we all know this list is endless so I’ll stop there. We can fix this distraction with 3 words. Let someone else. (GASP!) Step away. Accept help from your husband, your mom, a friend, a neighbor. Look to an older child to help with homework or social advice (and redirect if necessary, of course). But get some breathing room for yourself. Step away so you can be with Jesus and hear his voice.

You really are a good mom, a Super Mom, and the best one for the job. That’s all true. But don’t let Satan use all that stuff to distract you from Jesus.

John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Worship with us this week! – May 10 – Mother’s Day Celebration – Defining Moments

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here.