Mompetition

Join me in welcoming one of our newest contributors, Lauren Beccue, to The Better Mom! Today she is encouraging us with three ways to overcome mompetition - XO, Ruth

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Sometimes it feels like motherhood isn’t really about a relationship with our kids, but rather a competition among other moms—a mompetition.

When I bring napkins to the class party and Kate brings caterpillar-shaped grape kabobs and gluten free, peanut free, dairy free cupcakes, she’s the super mom, and I’m the lame mom. When Chelsea’s daughter comes to school with perfect french braids and mine comes with barely brushed hair in need of a cut, she’s the hero, I’m the zero.

We’re swamped with reminders of how lame we are. Pinterest moms crush it then post it on Instagram, as if we need a play-by-play. And if for a brief moment we actually feel like the super mom, there’s our mother-in-law with an oh-so-subtle reminder that she did it better…just look how her precious son turned out!

If ever there was an opportunity for mompetition, I think it would have been between Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s pregnancy was miraculous and noteworthy. She was old and her son, John the Baptist, was going to be “a joy and a delight…great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:14, 15). But Mary’s pregnancy was off the charts. She was a virgin, and her baby was the King of the world. I can see it now: “Oh really? Well Gabriel told me my son would be called Son of the MOST high.”

But this isn't how it went down. In Luke 1:39-45, Mary visits Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s reaction is stunning. She says to Mary, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Wow!

This passage and those that surround it give us some insight into the character traits God is looking for in super moms. Let’s take a look:

1. Super moms serve God first.

In verse 39, Mary tells Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant.” When we get to heaven, God’s not going to point out where we landed on the mompetition chart. “Lauren, you were a better mom than 86% of all other moms, well done!” No. You and I will be held accountable for how we do as individuals, and how well we served God as moms. Let’s make that our first priority then, shall we?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

2. Super moms are Spirit-filled.

In verse 41, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. When we’re living by the the Spirit, we’re loving, patient, and kind moms. We reveal God’s character to our kids and other moms who are watching. Let’s make this our second priority.

“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

3. Super moms celebrate each other.

Remember what Elizabeth said to Mary? “Blessed are you among women!” It has been noted by experts that celebrating others can help rid your heart of jealousy. It can also be a way to defuse mompetition. Let’s make it another priority to genuinely encourage and praise other moms.

“Encourage one another and build one another up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

If those are the character traits of these super moms, handpicked to raise John the Baptist and Jesus, then let’s exit the mompetition and focus on developing those instead.

By the way, you’re doing a great job, mom!

XO,

Lauren
LaurenBeccue.com