My husband and I have a running joke when our kids are acting ridiculous. If our two-year-old starts screaming because he didn’t get to turn the TV off himself, we’ll say, “Why is he having a meltdown? It’s like he’s two or something!” It helps us keep a sense of humor in the middle of the chaos. It also reminds us to have realistic expectations for our kids, which is something I need frequently.

There are countless times I get frustrated over my children’s behavior (or lack-there-of): when they don’t get in the car on time; when they question my instructions; when they have an hour-long meltdown over something seemingly unimportant. In these moments I can feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and annoyed. 

But I’ve heard an echo from the Lord in those places, “He remembers that we are dust.” In God’s kindness, He reminds me to have realistic expectations of my children in the same way He has realistic expectations of me. My children are “dust”–acting in line with their human nature and age. My expectations should fall in line with that reality. What’s more, Psalm 103 says God shows the compassion of a father in our weak state. Compassion isn’t my first reaction when my children aren’t meeting my expectations. But I pray it becomes my reality as I surrender to the Lord.

Mamas, remembering our kids are dust simply means we give grace and we aren’t surprised (or flustered) by their age-appropriate behavior. It allows room for them to grow and learn, in the same way the Lord allows us to have growing room in our sanctification. So take a deep breath the next time your toddler acts like a…toddler…and find a mantra to keep you laughing.

Find more devos like this in our 26 Devotional Card Set

This devotional is just one of the 26 devotions shared in our “Press On” Devotional Card Set. Being a mom is one of the most exhilarating experiences imaginable, but it is also one of the most challenging. In a season fraught with sleep deprivation and self-doubt, we created these cards to be the source of support and encouragement every mom needs.

The set contains 26 beautifully designed cards, featuring a hand-lettered Bible verse on the front and a mama-focused devotional on the back. The bottom of each card includes related Scriptures and journaling prompts for further study throughout the week. The set contains six months’ worth of encouragement, a wooden display easel, a fun vinyl sticker, and a gorgeous cotton storage bag. You can find it now, in our online shop.

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