Supermoms Don’t Exist (But Faithful Moms Do)

A couple of years ago, a young trick-or-treater came to my door in a memorable costume. She held a doll while a hero-type cape draped over her back. A small chalkboard sign hung from her neck with the word “mom” written in big letters.   

“I’m a supermom!” she exclaimed with enormous energy. The irony of the slight smile from the worn-looking mom behind her was not lost on me. 

As much as we want to believe we too can put on a cape and do motherhood with ease and valor, supermoms do not exist. No matter how awesome our costume, we're human, and humans fail. But because of social media and other cultural pressures, we conjure up this idea that being an excellent mom means being a supermom—always having it together. Tranquil home surroundings. Perfectly behaved children. Pinterest worthy lunches and foolproof routines and structures. But we can’t live up to that self-induced expectation. 

The Lord’s expectation, however, counters many of the messages offered to moms today. He does not call us to be super but to be faithful to him in this significant calling to motherhood.  

Faithfulness in the Great Days 

There are days that go smoothly in motherhood—maybe when the kids don’t fight, when a homemade dinner is prepared, or when we feel an extra amount of energy for after-school activities. These “great days” happen, but not because of our own abilities. Contrary to the cultural message that shouts, “You have inner strength!” we don’t. Not without Jesus. But in Christ, we have all we need. Great days happen because of God’s grace and strength manifested in and through us.  

Our joy in this life comes from the strength of the Lord. In Nehemiah 8, the people of God hear the law read, and, as a response, they weep with both gratitude and hope. They understand what they hear, and so they rejoice and feel sorrow because they become increasingly aware of their own sin. But Nehemiah reminds them in verse 10: “ . . . do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” God’s people are exhorted to walk in joy because of God’s marvelous work in their lives.

Moms, God’s strength enables us. His Word provides the wisdom necessary to make decisions in our day, and his Spirit tenderly guides us as we seek to point our kids to Jesus. If the Lord gives us the privilege of mentoring other mothers, it’s important to remember these truths. The point is not to say, “Do what I do,” but to primarily offer encouragement from Jesus and his Word. God alone deserves the glory in our parenting, and when we are overcome with joy in a day or a season that has been great, thank the Lord. We are so united to Christ that his strength is our strength, and his joy is our joy. 

Faithfulness in the Failures

While a lot of days do go well, many of us identify more with “failure-mom” rather than “supermom.” Being a mom is difficult. Thank the Lord that he does not expect us to do it alone. Not only are we made to flourish in community, but the Lord tells us in Matthew 11 to “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (v. 28-29). 

This verse exhorts us to bring our burdens and failures to the foot of the cross. It’s there that Jesus restores us. It’s there that we learn from him—from his gentleness and humility. It’s not always easy to seek the Lord when we feel weak and unable, but our kids need a Christ-dependent mom more than a supermom who gets it all done just right. 

I think of this when I get frustrated with a child for reasons having nothing to do with him or her. I am weak, and I fail. This is exactly why God’s free grace and mercy can be so eagerly accepted and so incomparably embraced. Because of God’s grace, he works even through our failures. Our shortcomings do not thwart God’s plan in our life or in our child’s life. He will do his great work despite us, and as we faithfully seek the Lord, he will also do his work in us. 

Faithfulness in the Mundane

Some aspects of mothering are neither amazing nor difficult—they are just mundane. There are laundry piles to fold, schedules to sort through, and kids to chauffeur. But these seemingly menial moments are where we can be most faithful in our motherhood calling. 

When my kids were teenagers, I repeatedly told sleep-deprived mothers with infants: This too shall pass. But I’ve realized recently how unhelpful this is. 

When my children were infants, I remember thinking that I’d get my life back when they got older—that I’d come out on the other side and do meaningful work once again. The problem with this perspective is that it leaves out the reality that God rules in the everyday details of our lives. None of it is without meaning—even mundane, sleepless nights! If we miss this truth, we’ll live each day to the mantra, “Tomorrow will be easier,” and forget to embrace God’s faithfulness today. 

The goal in motherhood is not ease or excitement; the goal is faithfulness to what the Lord brings to us in the day, no matter how menial the task may seem. That means we can be flexible when plans are altered because God is sovereign over deterred plans. And it means that when we are tired of ongoing, daily tasks, we can know that even these mundane moments are used by God and can bring him glory. 

Friends, striving to be a supermom will only lead to anxious toil. So let’s not go looking for a cape. Instead, let’s look to Jesus today. Let’s see him in our joy, in our failures, and in all the small moments in between. Through Jesus, we have all we need to walk faithfully in the work he has given us as moms.