Mother's Day is but a day, but motherhood marches on. So it is important to carry the principles highlighted on that important day into the rugged plains of parental reality. Motherhood is all about trading. The godly mother needs to make three types of trades as she strives to bring her children up in the ways of the Lord.

Trade Up: Your Objectives for His Perspective

“For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

The Bible tells us that God’s ways are greater than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Being a godly mother begins with trading up our human objectives as an earthly parent for God's divine perspective as a heavenly Father. God's plans for our children far surpass any plans we could devise or even imagine. When you make a trade up to His perspective, you are bringing the promise of a better hope and future for your children.

Trade Off: Your Activities for His Priorities

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Being a godly mother is not about being a Supermom by the world's standards. Rather, it is about being a mom who is sensitive to the supernatural leading of the Holy Spirit. There are a myriad of activities that can encroach upon your time and that of your children. But many of those activities, while fine and good, can take the place of what is best for you and your children. The simplicity of God's priorities can bring order to the chaos of your schedule.

Your first priority as a mom is to bring your children up to be followers of Christ and His kingdom. And every activity needs to be evaluated and re-evaluated in light of that kingdom agenda.

Trade In: Your Lemon for His Limo

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

God is an expert at taking whatever we have to offer and turning it into something incredible. Sometimes as a mom – whether a stay-at-home mom, a single mom, or a working mom – you might feel like a lemon: inadequate, weak, and not worth much. But God by His grace can take your trade in, the sacrifice of your life (Roman 12:1-2), and transform it into a limo.