Have you ever received an assignment at church or work that you felt wholly unprepared for and incapable of? You doubted your skillset, your resources, your knowledge.

Assuming you eventually successfully got the hang of it, how did that confidence begin and grow? Maybe there were encouraging words from others; maybe you read or heard tips from those who had previously managed the role. Did that little seed of confidence grow as you completed small steps, previously unexplored? Did you gain even more confidence as you proved to yourself time and time again that you are capable of doing hard things, new things, scary things? These are common and beneficial ways of gaining traction in a daunting assignment.

And let’s not forget the most valuable, reliable, and accurate source of confidence - from the Lord above! Because He knows us - including our unspoken fears and unrealized intentions - He fully understands the magnitude of the gulf between where we are and where we want to be.

We can be assured that as we align our lives with His will, He will support and guide us in our righteous efforts. We can have confidence from the Lord and IN the Lord.

Do you see how this principle can be easily applied to parenting? Even more-so than a temporary church calling or work role, mothering deserves and needs heaven’s help. In spite of my weaknesses, ignorance, fears, and misplaced pride, with Heavenly Father on my side (because I am on His side!), I can successfully fulfill my mothering role. Not perfectly - but by trying, falling, trying, failing, trying, stumbling, trying. It is a messy business with a multitude of humbling and insightful moments. But I am enough because HE is enough. How is that for some empowering confidence?!

So go and Mom with confidence and hope - and teach your teens to go and Teen with that power. They need it as much as we do.

To ponder: In what specific way can you benefit right now from stronger confidence? What big and small adjustments are you willing to make to align closer to Heavenly Father’s will?

-Carmelle Bench

*Disclaimer: My experiences and perspectives are not definitive nor exhaustive of the vast and differing journeys of motherhood. The purpose of these entries is to help you reflect and find encouragement on your path.