Ask any mama about her post-pregnancy body and she will most likely roll her eyes. It takes a while to bounce back to our “normal” selves and then, when we do, there’s not always a lot of time to “keep up appearances.” For me, getting ready in the morning consists of scrambling to look presentable enough for work OR throwing on a baseball cap and leggings to get the kids to school on time.

And yet, on the inside, the Holy Spirit has been at work. Since the day I found out I was pregnant until now — two kids later — I’ve been in this growth process of dying to myself, learning to trust God with everything (my marriage, my children, our finances — there has been no stone left unturned!), and practicing unconditional love.

I’m thankful for the difficult work of following Christ while being a mama to our two children. In 2 Corinthians 4:1 and 16, Paul says “we do not lose heart.” Mama, if you are feeling like a mess on the outside today — from three days without a decent shower or the stress of navigating our crazy world — I encourage you: DO NOT LOSE HEART! Seek Jesus step-by-step, trust Him moment-by-moment, and love your family in a way that demonstrates the gospel. In these day-by-day steps of obedience, God is shaping you and molding you to look more like Himself. Our inner self is preparing to worship God for eternity — and the added bonus: our outer selves are going to be pretty perfect, too.

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