Maternal Guilt

I have to confess, I absoutely hate snow days. I really, truly with all my heart want to be one of those mothers that celebrates snow days, and is excited for the extra time with my children. But honestly, right now, I am not that mother. I dread the call from the school saying it will be closed. I look forward to sending my kids off to school each day. For the record, I also look forward to getting them back at the end of the day. During those precious few hours, I can get a lot accomplished. I can work, catch up on things, relax, and I can prepare myself to be a better mom when they get home. Of course, when I look on facebook and see all those "good mothers" who are excited to have their kids home with them I do feel a lot of guilt about my attitude. This past week, we had a snow day. I started the day with a bad attitude because my plans for the day were ruined, then I decided to try and be a better mom and relish the extra time with my kids. We did have a good time. I agreed to a stuffed animal birthday party, complete with cake. Then I was rewarded for my efforts when a friend took Hailey and Josh away for several hours, while I had my own playtime. I got nothing accomplished that day, but in the end we all had a good time.
However, my guilt over not relishing snow days got me thinking about all the things I feel guilty about as a mother. There is a huge long list! Overall, I believe I am a good mother and that I do the best I can. But I feel so much guilt over so many things involving my children. A lot of those things I can't even control. I feel guilty that Ashley has autism. I feel bad that we can't give them more of pretty much everything- God, money, time, education, etc. I feel guilty about all their medical problems. The list goes on and on; it is never ending. And from what I hear most moms feel the same guilt I do, just with their own little twist. In short, we all spend a lot of time feeling bad that we are not perfect, we can't give our kids perfect lives, and that life is not perfect. I guess it is something that we never completely escape. And it is always good to strive to be and do better, but my goal is to try and keep all that guilt in its place. I'm going to try to remember that I can only do my best and that carrying around irrational guilt certainly doesn't make the situation any better. As I was pondering all of this, several Bible verses were brought to mind:
Jesus answered, "What is humanly impossible is possible for God." Luke 18:27
Let us throw off everything that hinders.... and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Each of these verses appeared in my devotions this week. It always amazes me how our God can lead us right to what we need to see. What I got from these verses is: Only God is perfect, but he calls us to complete the purpose he has given us, with his help. And as long as we are trying to do that, his grace will help us and we will bring him glory. It is our job to set a good example, bring glory to God, not give up, and not distract ourselves with guilt.