SOCIAL MEDIA & MOMS
As society and culture continue to change, every generation faces its own unique challenges. One subtle yet meaningful shift that has taken place in just the past few years has been the impact of the Internet on young families. While the blessing of an endless source of information and insight is undeniable, there can be a dark side to this boon.
Motherhood in the age of Facebook, Pinterest, and mommy blogs comes with a nagging sense of inadequacy. Whenever a mom compares herself with what she sees portrayed in the lives of other moms, she can be tempted to become discouraged and disheartened. “Her family looks so beautiful and perfect… I wish I was that creative… How does she find time to get all that done?” This is especially true for new moms who lack enough experience to see through the often well-manicured façade of social media super moms.
In previous generations, a new mom would look to the example of the other mothers in her life — from her own mother and grandmother to neighborhood moms and the ladies at church. Everyone she looked up to she knew personally. And those she followed most closely were also the ones she knew best — well enough to know that each had good days and bad days, successes and struggles. To learn from someone outside her life, she’d have to read a book or magazine… if she could find the time.
Today, I have a deep concern for young women who are confronted with daily glimpses of seeming perfection online that are filtered, curated, and edited to a polished finish. And they are left to wonder what they must be doing wrong since so many other moms have it all together. In the midst of this, I’m truly grateful for those who drop the pretense and are vulnerable enough online to reveal their failures and frustrations.
Even though I’m obviously not a mother, I’ve had the privilege to know some amazing ones, and I plan to spend the rest of my life with one of the best. Along the way, I’ve noticed a few things that I’d like to take a moment to share.
No mother is perfect. But because of God’s grace, that’s not a necessary part of the job description. Your mother made mistakes with you, and some may have been meaningful, but God promises that His grace is sufficient for anything that’s ever happened to you, or that you may do to others. God is working all things for good so take comfort in that.
Everything you do matters. Raising young children is filled with a never-ending cycle of the mundane — and always wiping up someone or something. Nevertheless, every sacrifice you make and every God-honoring action you take is being used to shape the soul of your child. How you parent your children and how you train them as disciples of Jesus will echo into eternity. How’s that for a lasting impact?
You’re not in this alone. Whether you’re blessed with a great husband, doing your best as a single mom, or feel like you’re somewhere in between, you’re never alone. Jesus has promised that He will never leave you or forsake you, and His Spirit will empower you to overcome every challenge and to thrive in even the most difficult season. Trust in Jesus and take courage.
And last but not least, thank you! You’re appreciated more than we can ever say or show in this life, but you can always look forward to one day hearing the words from Jesus Himself, “Well done.” And in that instant, you’ll know that it was all worthwhile.
— Josh