When Keeping Up Means Letting Go

It's that time of year again- back to school. The schedule just got full through December. The budget just took a hit. And your kid is already complaining about the other kids. Bring on the school year!

How much of your day is spent worrying about things that don't actually matter, just to keep up? Have you ever stopped to ask what Jesus would think about all of it-the pettiness, the quiet competition to prove some things about our lives and hide others, just to fit into a box some Instagram mom built years ago?

Moms, it's time we step off the hamster wheel and start walking with Jesus instead. Make this school year different. Start your day at His feet and let Him show you where your family's time actually belongs. Care more about what He thinks than what the world is telling you to think.

Spend more time in His Word and less time chasing after worldly things, and you'll set down the title of chaos coordinator. In its place you'll have a family fixed on Jesus and surrendered to His plan for your time. You'll walk in a freedom that actually feels like freedom. Who doesn't want that for their family?

When keeping up means we let go of our walk with Jesus, it's time to take ask Him to show us a better way. Model for your kids what it looks like to chase after Jesus, not what it looks like to chase after keeping up.

Some examples we give into which only separates us from His plan for our family.

• Comparison to the mom who has her calendar color-coded, her pantry labeled, and a Pinterest-worthy first-day-of-school photo.

• The need to control every outcome for your kids instead of trusting God with them.

• Keeping up appearances on social media-curating the highlight reel instead of living the actual moment.

• Overcommitting the family calendar because saying no feels like falling behind.

• Worrying what other parents think of your parenting choices.

• Chasing academic or extracurricular status instead of asking what's actually good for your kid.

• Hiding your family's real struggles to protect an image.

• Perfectionism- believing a "good mom" never has a messy house, a meltdown, or a hard day.

• The pressure to give your kids everything so they don't feel "less than."

• Letting your identity as a mom hinge on your kids' performance or behavior in public.

• The fear of missing out- on trends, activities, or things "everyone else's kids" are doing.

Ask Him to show you where you need to spend more time with Him this school year. It will be the best step you can make for your home and your heart.