Are you wondering how to be the mom God has called you to be? Read these 5 tips for being a godly mother to your children.

Countless time I wonder if I am getting this motherhood thing right. Have I failed my daughter today? Have I been too relaxed on teaching her the things I should be? Am I being the mother God has called me to be?

If you’ve had some of the same thoughts that I have had, I assure you that you have not permanently damaged your child.

There is no perfect mother.

Yes, we are called to strive to be perfect like Christ is perfect (Matthew 5:48), but none of us will ever fully obtain that goal.

Give yourself some grace.

How to Be The Mom God Has Called You to Be

Learn how to be the godly mother that you are called to be through these 5 simple tips.

1. Teach Your Children by Your Actions

It’s one thing for me to tell my daughter “don’t tell lies!” She might say she “ate her chicken all” when the reality is she has not even touched it.

Her dad could tell her no, and then she will run to me and say,

“Daddy said it’s okay!”

Whether this is just her imagination — wanting things to be a certain way– or intentional deceptive lying, I am not really sure.

But I do try to teach her that what she is doing is called “telling a lie.”

I can tell her if she lies she will go to time out.

I can tell her not to lie until I am blue-in-the-face, but what happens when sees me lying?

She recently asked me where the rest of her chocolate Easter bunny was.

The truth is she left it outside and it melted– but I didn’t want to tell her that.

I didn’t want to deal with her pitching a fit and screaming.

So I lied.

I told her she ate it all. And suddenly I felt guilt wash over me. Because that wasn’t the truth. It was a cold, hard, lie.

My husband gave me a look, and he told her the truth. He told her it melted. Cue the tears and waterworks from my child.

I shouldn’t lie to my daughter about something just because I didn’t want to deal with her reaction.

What then, am I teaching her? What is she learning from me when I do that?

Strive to lead by example.

Keyword is: STRIVE. You will fall short.

But His mercies are new every morning!

2. Forgive Yourself, Your Spouse, and Your Children

One of the best ways to learn how to be the mom God has called you to be, is to forgive others.

Is there is any unforgiveness in your heart towards yourself, your spouse, or even your children?

If your husband acted in a way he shouldn’t towards your kids–forgive him.

Do you have deep anger towards your child for making a bad choice?

Forgive them.

Forgiveness brings healing.

Sure, they don’t deserve to be forgiven.

But neither do you.

Neither do I.

Neither do any of us!

3. Say You’re Sorry

Do not be afraid to say you’re sorry to your children.

How powerful would it be for your child to hear you say:

“I am sorry for losing my temper.”

Growing up, I remember both of my parents apologizing to me, as well as my siblings. It was really powerful for me to see the act of “saying sorry” demonstrated not only first hand, but by the people in my life who had the greatest influence.

Through them saying sorry, I realized that even they were not perfect, and even they were not afraid to admit their mistakes.

I learned how to say sorry for myself.

4. Teach Your Children Spiritual Discipline

It’s not easy going to church on Sundays. Especially after working 40 hours a week. Saturdays are often “catch up” days at my house.

On Sundays, it would be nice to relax, sip coffee slowly, and breathe.

Sometimes I don’t want to get dressed ready for church. I don’t want to rush out the door.

And I don’t want to wrestle my child on brushing her hair and making her wear something other than play clothes.

It’s hard. There are a million other things I could be doing.

But you know what?

My husband and I have made it a habit in our household to attend church every Sunday.

I pray that through this, we can show her that no matter how busy life is, it’s vital to attend church.

I pray that when she is older, she will remember how we made attending church a priority.

It is a spiritual discipline to do the things God teaches us in His Word, even when your flesh doesn’t feel like it.

5. Teach Your Children to Make Time for God

When I was in middle school, my mother and I did a devotion together every night.

I am sure she was exhausted after her own work day, and mothering my siblings as well. But what she taught me was how to be disciplined in my relationship with God.

How can you teach your own children spiritual discipline?

Can you teach them to pray a simple prayer before a meal? Or perhaps read the Jesus Story Book Bible (it’s my favorite) with them at night before bed.

Make it a habit.

The Proverbs 31 Mother

The example of the proverbs 31 woman was written thousands of years ago and describe what a godly mother looked like back then.

But you can still learn from the Proverbs 31 woman today.

She works hard (and this can look differently for every family and household) for her family, takes care of her children, loves her husband, and loves God.

No where in this passage of scripture does it say she is perfect.

So don’t worry. You are enough. Don’t accept the lies Satan tries to whisper to you.

If you walk with Christ, strive to live like him, demonstrate spiritual discipline, and forgive others–then you already know how to be the mom God has called you to be.

You are her.