My friend, Poppy Smith recently wrote a book that is definitely a MUST READ for mommas…really for all women. Her book, I’m Too Human to be Like Jesus is a breath of fresh air for every follower of Christ who isn’t perfect ~ especially the ones who feel like they have to be. I asked Poppy to be our guest today on The M.O.M. Initiative and I know you’ll be blessed as you read her transparent account of her own mommy meltdowns.
So, sweet moms, grab a cup of coffee and be encouraged to know that although you may not be the perfect mom, and although you may have an occasional mommy meltdown, God still loves you, does not condemn you and He still wants to give you the wisdom you need to be the best mom you can be for your children.
HAVING A MOMMY MELTDOWN by Poppy Smith
I had a lot of meltdowns during my mommy years—and they left me feeling wretched. I didn’t want to be cranky, critical, and short-tempered but too often, I was.
The result? I hid from God. I told myself that I was a failure as a Christian, a failure as a mother, and that I had to show God I was truly sorry for losing my temper once again. Only after a few days, when my feelings of guilt had calmed down, would I dare creep into His presence with many prayers for forgiveness.
I wish I had understood as a young Christian and young mom that God’s arms were always open to me. But I didn’t. It wasn’t that I was trying to be “good enough” for God, or earn His favor. My guilt and grief came because I loved the Lord so much, and it hurt me to live in a way that didn’t honor Him.
Desperate for help, I cried out in frustration, “God, how can I ever control my temper? I lose it with Jim (my husband) and the kids before I even know that I’m angry. You’ve got to help me or I’ll never change.”
Shortly after this tear-drenched time with God, I began to notice something I had never sensed before. I became aware of feeling stressed and getting a little irritable. It was as if God gave me a signal, “Poppy, be aware of what’s happening to you.”
After this inner alert the phrase, “Zip your lips” flashed like a warning beacon in my brain. “Don’t say what’s about to come out of your mouth. Swallow it. Talk to Me about it.”
When I found myself about to blurt out angry words I learned to flee to the only safe place in the house—the bathroom! Once there I released both my anger and my adrenaline to the safest person I know: God. Bit by bit, I calmed down and asked God to speak. “Lord, show me why I got so upset. Show me how to respond in your power and with your grace. Show me how to build what matters most to me—my relationship with You, and with my husband and children.”
Was I magically transformed by these repeated experiences? No. But I did learn that meltdowns don’t result in being condemned by God. Instead, they can draw us closer, deepen our gratitude for God’s amazing forgiveness, and cause us to marvel that the Living God is at work in our lives.
As you think of your meltdown moments, ask God to show you:
- What stressors bring me into the meltdown zone?
- What steps can I take before coming unglued?
- What perspective will help me keep calm and reduce my “Mommy Meltdown” moments?
Adapted from “I’m Too Human to Be Like Jesus: Spiritual Growth For the Not So Perfect Woman.”
A Bit About Poppy:
Poppy is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.
A Bit About I’m Too Human to be Like Jesus:
Among the heart cries that not-so-perfect woman, Poppy Smith, addresses are
• How Can I Be More Like You, Lord?
• Does It Matter What I Think?
• You Mean, I Have to Change My Attitude?
• How Can I Stand in Life’s Storms?
• Can My Stumbling Blocks Become Stepping Stones?
True, sometimes growing more like Jesus can seem to be frustratingly slow, at a bumbling-around, falling-down and picking-yourself-back-up pace, but inner change can happen. How? Not by lengthening the list of things you should be doing and heaping on the guilt. Nor by waiting passively for God to transform you by waving some kind of magic wand. Instead, spiritual growth comes by listening to God, taking hold of His power, and acting on what He says.
I’m Too Human to Be Like Jesus provides more than inspiration It gives you practical ways to become the woman you long to be. With thought provoking questions throughout each chapter and discussion questions at the end, this book is ideal for group discussion or individual study.
Click here to visit the Amazon page and get your copy of the ebook or click here to order a hard copy of the book.
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