God’s Faithfulness in Motherhood:

The other night, I was putting my little girl, Birdie Anne to bed, and just like so many moments before, I was shown God’s faithfulness in raising children. I had nursed little Birdie until her tummy was full, changed her into a fresh diaper and pajamas, prayed with her, and then rocked while singing her favorite song—“There’s Just Something About That Name.” at least 6 times.

But then when I thought she was just about to drift off to sleep, I stood up slowly, walked her over to her crib, and laid her down gently.

And just like that, her little world fell apart

She immediately began to cry. Not just a soft protest, but a full-blown, back-arched, red-faced cry of betrayal. You would’ve thought I had dropped her in the wilderness alone, rather than her nice warm bed. Despite the thirty straight minutes of care I had just poured into her, she was completely discontent with the fact that she wasn’t being held anymore.

I walked out of her room, sighed, and looked at my husband, Tim. “It’s amazing how parenting is pouring yourself out over and over again, meeting every single need to the point of personal exhaustion, and still your children are discontent, no matter how much you give.”

While when was speaking the words, I didn’t necessarily how any profound thought behind them. But just as the words left my mouth, conviction struck

Because don’t we do the exact same thing to our heavenly Father?

When We Don’t Get Our Way

Just like Birdie, I protest when things don’t go the way I want them to go. I get frustrated when life doesn’t look how I imagined, even when—if I stop and take inventory—God has consistently provided for my every need. He has carried me through trials, opened doors at just the right time, offered grace for each day, and lavished blessings on me far beyond what I deserve.

And yet, when I don’t get what I want right now, I grow discontent.

In those moments, I forget how so very good He’s been to me. I lose sight of His provision, just because I feel a little uncomfortable. I let my momentary frustrations cloud my view of His long-lasting care for me.

Psalm 103:2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” But forgetting is exactly what I do. Just like a child, I become focused on what I don’t have, rather than remembering everything I do have—everything He’s given, protected, provided, and sustained.

Like the Israelites in the Wilderness, and God’s Faithfulness to them

The Israelites are a humbling reflection of this same heart posture. In Exodus 16, we find them just days out of Egypt. After witnessing the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the defeat of Pharaoh’s army, you’d think their trust in God would be unshakable.

But what happens?

They get hungry, and immediately, they complain. “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt,”they moaned, “when we sat by the pots of meat and ate bread to the full!” (Exodus 16:3, NKJV).

They couldn’t see past their present discomfort to remember the miraculous provision of their past, and God’s faithfulness to them.

And I realized that night—I’m no different. I’ve seen God’s hand in my life. I’ve experienced His mercy and faithfulness, again and again. And still, when things feel “off,” my heart grumbles. I may not cry like a toddler (sometimes I do), but I certainly sulk inwardly.

Yet God remains patient. Steady. Faithful.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13, NKJV). What mercy. What grace.

a painting of a woman praying with her child about God's Faithfulness

We Don’t Even See the Full Picture in God’s Faithfulness

As I stood in the hallway that night, thinking over my daughter’s outburst, another thought gently settled in. Birdie has no idea what goes into her care.

She doesn’t know that earlier that day, I had washed her clothes, prepped her meals, changes her diapers, snuggled her when she fell, sang to her and gave her kisses. She only sees the moment she’s no longer being held. In her world, being put down must mean something is wrong.

And that’s when I saw myself again.

I don’t see the whole picture either. I don’t know all that God is working on behind the scenes. I don’t see the doors He’s closing to protect me or the opportunities He’s preparing that aren’t ready yet. I just feel the “put down” moment, and I cry.

But He is always working. I don’t always choose to see God’s faithfulness to me.

Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Even the things that feel hard. Even the seasons that feel cold and confusing. He is good. And His timing is perfect.

When Motherhood Feels Thankless, Remember His Faithfulness

Paul writes in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God… among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

Gratitude in discomfort sets us apart. It reveals our trust. It shows the world that our peace doesn’t come from our circumstances, but from our Savior.

That night, my daughter—without knowing it—preached a small sermon to my heart. Her tears reflected my own tendencies. Her discontentment reminded me of how often I resist God’s plans when they don’t match my expectations. And yet, just as I still love and care for her with all my heart, God continues to love and care for me.

Even when I protest.

Even when I forget.

Even when I cry in the crib.

He is patient. He is good. And He is always faithful.