Living On Purpose In Christ | Journaling Prompts, Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Bible Study, God's Peace

99 | Uncertain in Parenting? Bible Verses for Moms and Grandmas with Kids

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

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Ever stood in the middle of your living room surrounded by scattered toys, with a tugging toddler at your leg, wondering if you're doing any of this right? Or perhaps you're a grandmother stepping back into the world of little ones, quietly questioning if you still remember what you're doing or if you're truly the influence they need?

God's Word speaks directly to these uncertainties with powerful promises for both mothers and grandmothers. Through five key scriptures, we discover that God never asks us to parent from our own strength or meet impossible standards of perfection. Instead, He offers His presence, wisdom, and gentle guidance for this sacred journey.

Whether you're in the trenches of daily motherhood or providing the irreplaceable influence of a grandmother, these truths anchor us when uncertainty rises. God chose you specifically for the children in your life, and His Word lights your path. You don't walk this journey alone—you're living on purpose in Christ as a beloved daughter of God who happens to be a mother or grandmother too. Join us for this heart-to-heart encouragement that meets you exactly where you are.

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Paula Behrens:

Hey friend, have you ever found yourself standing in the middle of your living room? Toys scattered everywhere, a little one tugging on your leg and another crying in the next room, thinking to yourself am I even doing this right? Or maybe for you it looks a little different. You're a grandmother now stepping back into the world of little ones as you help, babysit, guide or support your grandkids and you quietly wonder do I still know what I'm doing? Am I the influence they need? Well, we're going to address those questions in just a moment. But first funny story. When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But, truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula Behrens:

You want to grow closer to God. But let's be honest your days are full, your mind is busy and your devotional routine feels more like a struggle than a sanctuary. That's exactly why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. This one-on-one session is designed to make deepening your relationship with God simple, peaceful and personal. No pressure, no overwhelm, just a guided, spirit-led approach to help you reset and reconnect with Jesus in a way that truly fits your life. You won't leave empty-handed either. You'll walk away with everything you need to continue your journey, including a printable devotional planning and tracking guide to help you stay consistent, a beautiful gospel reading plan that walks you through the life of Jesus, a downloadable prayer journal to reflect, process and pray intentionally, and practical guidance on how to use essential oils to quiet your mind and invite peace into your spiritual practices. You don't need fancy tools or hours of free time. You just need a doable plan and someone to help you make it real. So let's make your devotional life easy, meaningful and refreshingly Christ-centered. It's time to simplify your spiritual life so you can savor it again. Book your Aroma of Christ coaching hour today at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). Look for a link in the show notes. All right, grab your Bible, dust off your journal and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

Whether you're a mom in the thick of raising small children or a grandmother who's helping nurture and guide them, uncertainty in parenting is real. The pressure s to do everything right can weigh heavy. Parenting and grandparenting is holy work, but it is also hard work and the doubts can feel overwhelming at times. Today, we're going to sit together in that space of uncertainty and bring God's word into it, because, while none of us are perfect moms or grandmothers, God has given us the encouragement, wisdom and reassurance we need in scripture. He sees us in our unique roles. He knows the exact stage of life we're in right now, whether it's chasing toddlers, navigating teenagers or pouring wisdom into our grown kids and their little ones, and he promises to meet us there. As we walk through this episode, I'll share specific Bible verses that can anchor moms and grandmothers when the questions start swirling. My prayer is that these truths will not only comfort you but also equip you, so you can continue to pour into the children God has entrusted to your care, whether they call you mom or grandma.

Paula Behrens:

Motherhood often comes with pressure to have it all figured out, right? Maybe you scroll through Instagram and you see polished photos of smiling children in matching outfits, neatly packed lunches and Bible time that looks serene. Then you look at your own reality, your toddler threw the Cheerios across the room, your preschooler refused to put on his shoes and your patience snapped before 8 am. Grand- motherhood, though filled with joy, comes with its own version of uncertainty. Maybe you're stepping into babysit often and you wonder if you still have the energy or patience you once did. Maybe you find yourself parenting your grandchildren more than you expected due to life circumstances and you ask yourself can I do this again? Or maybe you simply long to be a godly influence without overstepping boundaries with your adult children. In both roles, that gap between expectation and reality is where uncertainty creeps in. Moms may wonder am I the only one struggling like this? Grandmothers may ask am I really making a difference? But here's the truth. God never asked moms or grandmothers to parent out of their own strength or to meet a certain standard of perfection. He calls us to walk with him, to lean on him and to pass down faith through his grace, and his word is packed with promises for moments like these.

Paula Behrens:

Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 11, says: He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries him close to his heart. He gently leads those that have young. What a beautiful image, God himself, the Good Shepherd, holding our children and grandchildren close to his heart. But notice the last part, he gently leads those that have young. Had you thought about that before? That includes moms caring for little ones day and night, and grandmothers who are helping with young ones or guiding adult children in how they raise their families. When you feel overwhelmed or unsure, when you don't know the next step, this verse is your reminder that you are not leading alone. God is going before you and his leadership isn't harsh, it's gentle. He understands your load, your responsibilities and the emotional weight of caring for children in different stages of life. Mom, he knows the sleepless nights and the tantrums. Grandma, he knows the prayers you whisper over your grandchildren, the tug between wanting to help and wanting to give space, and the times you wonder if you're doing enough. He promises to gently lead you step by step.

Paula Behrens:

Proverbs, chapter 22, verse 6 tells us: Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it. For moms, this often looks like modeling faith in the everyday, praying with little ones before bed, singing worship songs in the car, teaching them to say thank you, Jesus, for their food. Those little seeds matter. For grandmothers, this verse reminds you that your influence continues, even when you're not the one doing the day-to-day parenting. Your words, your prayers, your examples still plant seeds of faith. I've seen this in my own family. As a mom of three, I know the weight of shaping young hearts. But as a grandmother of six, ages 11 to 26, I've also seen the joy of watching those seeds sprout in the next generation. Sometimes it's the faith of a grandmother that steadies a grandchild through teenage years or early adulthood. This verse doesn't promise perfection or guaranteed outcomes, but it highlights the lasting impact of the foundation we lay.

Paula Behrens:

Moms and grandmas, your faith-filled influence will not be wasted. Weary moms and grandmas, this one is for you. Jesus says in Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28 through 30, Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. The truth is that small children can wear you out, whether you're in your 20s or beyond your 60s, sleepless nights, long days, emotional ups and downs they all take a toll. And, grandmothers, sometimes the weariness comes not from physical demands but from caring concerns for your children and grandchildren in prayer. The burden of love can be heavy, but Jesus doesn't ask us to carry these loads alone. He invites us to come to him to trade our striving for his rest. Moms, that might mean whispering a prayer in the middle of the chaos. Grandma, it might mean handing over the deep worries you carry for your grandkids. Either way, his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Paula Behrens:

Now you may feel stuck in the monotony of diapers, laundry and bedtime routines, or you may feel like your influence isn't noticed or that your prayers go unheard. But Paul reminds us: Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6: 9). Paul reminds us that all of this sowing has a purpose. Seeds planted in faith do bear fruit, even if you can't see it yet. Every bedtime story, every whispered prayer, every act of patience, it matters. For grandmothers, every shared memory of God's faithfulness, every word of encouragement, every prayer for protection and wisdom, that matters too. You're planting for a harvest that may bloom years down the road.

Paula Behrens:

Finally, James, chapter one, verse 5, reminds us: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Moms, you face a hundred decisions every day how to discipline, what to allow, how to balance structure with grace. And grandmas, you face decisions too when to step in, when to hold back, how to support your children as parents while also being a trusted guide to your grandkids. We all need wisdom, and God delights to give it. He doesn't criticize us for not knowing. Instead, he invites us to come to him confident that he will provide exactly what we need in each unique situation.

Paula Behrens:

As we walked through these verses today, I hope you've noticed the thread woven through each one. God doesn't expect moms or grandmas to be perfect. He doesn't demand that we have all the answers. Instead, he offers his presence, his wisdom, his rest and his gentle leadership.

Paula Behrens:

Isaiah reminds us, He gently leads mothers and grandmothers with young children. Proverbs calls us to lay a foundation of faith, trusting God with the outcome. Matthew invites us to rest in Jesus when we're weary. Galatians encourages us to not give up because our faithfulness is sowing seeds. And James assures us wisdom is just a prayer away. Parenting and grandparenting are seasons of both exhaustion and wonder. You're shaping lives while God is shaping you. And through it all, his word is your anchor. So the next time uncertainty rises up, remember you are not leading alone. The Shepherd is guiding you, Christ is carrying your burdens, the Spirit is giving you wisdom and God's word is lighting your path.

Paula Behrens:

Okay, before we close, I want to leave you with an encouragement from my own heart. As a mom of three and grandmother of six, I know both sides of this journey. I've lived through the long nights of raising kids and now walk the sweet, sometimes challenging season of being a grandmother, and through it all, I've seen the faithfulness of God. You are enough for your children and grandchildren, not because you have it all together, but because God chose you specifically for them. Out of all the women in the world, God entrusted those little ones to you and he doesn't make mistakes. So take a deep breath, rest in his promises and when uncertainty creeps in, open his word and let it fill you with strength and peace. You are not walking this journey alone. You are living on purpose in Christ, as a mom, as a grandmother and as a beloved daughter of God.

Paula Behrens:

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your word that speaks to both mothers and grandmothers. Thank you for reminding us that we don't walk this road alone. Help us to cling to your promises, to find rest in your presence and to live with confidence in Christ. May our children and grandchildren see your love through us. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.

Paula Behrens:

If you're craving a devotional rhythm that actually works in your busy life, I'd love to invite you to the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour plus Peace Reset. In this one-on-one session, I'll walk alongside you as we craft a simple, sustainable devotional practice that works in the real flow of your day, not an idolized version of life, but your life as it truly is. And as a special bonus, you'll also experience the Peace Reset, a gentle, spirit-led process that helps release the lingering burden of a past memory or anything else that's been holding you back from fully stepping into your calling as a mom or grandmother. It's a powerful way to let go of what weighs heavy on your heart so you can move forward in freedom and peace. This is more than just coaching. It's a time to breathe, to anchor yourself in Christ and to walk away with a devotional rhythm that feels life-giving. You can reserve your place now at paula behrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). Book your session now while the Peace RESET is still on the table

Paula Behrens:

Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next time as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into him and walking in his wisdom. See you next time.