For the Struggling “Perfect Fairytale” Mom

It’s funny how we look around and see that mom and think she has it all together, she lives in this perfect fairytale life, she is the “perfect fairytale mom.” We look at her cute outfit or how she has her hair done. We see her makeup done in a simple way because she simply doesn’t need it.

It’s the inevitable trap:

• We see her.

• We see ourselves.

• We compare, seeing our shortcomings and her advances.

• We instantly create the “perfect fairytale” version of a mom in our head.

• We try to achieve this version.

• We fail.

• We weep and get angry.

• We make ourselves the enemy and live in a mask of happiness that truly hides our misery.

I know that most reading this don’t struggle with this (wink wink), but I do. I wish I could say I just struggle with this in motherhood, but sadly, it is in most areas of my life. Thankfully, though, we don’t have to stay in this mindset because we serve the Perfect One who never called us to perfection on our own. In fact, we serve the Perfect One who covers us in His perfection to diminish our inadequacies.

Can we stop with the comparison trap? It’s not worth it, and it’s not reality. One’s life is not always in pure bliss. There are trials and tribulations, but that mom you are comparing yourself to has probably been through a trial that can help you through yours. Are you getting real with her? Are you getting real with others? Are you getting real with yourself?

Isaiah 40:11 says, “He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

This passage is such an encouragement for us mamas. It talks about the coming Messiah, Jesus, who will take care of us like a shepherd. Did you know that a shepherd knows each of his sheep? He tends to them carefully, and each one matters. John 10 shows us with clarity that He is our Shepherd, but even more, He is the Good Shepherd.

Sisters, this means that the second part of the verse is true as well. Not only is He the Good Shepherd, but He also gathers up our babies and holds them as He walks alongside us on our path. He doesn’t do it while comparing us to the other mamas. He just walks with us, guiding us while caring for our young.

There is no perfect fairytale mama. She’s not one. You’re not one. The perfect fairytale mama doesn’t exist, but the perfectly led mama does exist, and it’s because she is being led by the Perfect Shepherd. That means that even when she messes up, doesn’t do it right, and doesn’t look her best, He still leads her. He’s still patient with her. He still holds her babies well.

Be led by Him, not comparison.