This One’s For the New Moms

When I first became a mom, I felt completely overwhelmed. No one can fully prepare you for the emotional, physical, and spiritual transformation that happens when you bring a baby into the world. I remember searching for answers, reassurance, anything to help me feel like I was doing this motherhood thing right. Now, after walking through those early years (and still learning every day), I want to share what I wish I had known.

So, to the new moms—this one’s for you.

The Time Will Come Again

I recently caught up with a couple who went through our ministry a few years ago who now have a little family of their own. As we talked, I asked how life was—how the baby was, how they were. They shared about the struggles of sleep with their sweet babe (which I can definitely relate to), and then she said something that immediately struck me:

“I just miss our time.”

I smiled, looked at them both, and said, “From someone who’s on the other side of that—just know, that time will come again.”

And it will.

The time will come when you’re not changing diapers or navigating sleep regressions. When you’re not wiping runny noses or holding a sick baby at 2 a.m. When you’re in the thick of it, it feels like that time will never come. But I promise—it does.

A New Identity Is Born

Becoming a new mom was, for me, the biggest sense of emotional whiplash. I felt like I was handed a whole new identity along with a baby. And really, I was!

You are!

You’re now a mom. And with that comes sacrifice. A sort of crucifixion—dying to self. The old you is put to death while a new you rises up. And while there’s some grieving that comes along with that, there is also so much joy.

I didn’t fully understand the spiritual side of motherhood until I became a mom. I didn’t realize the work God was about to do in me. And just like most things, stepping into that new identity felt clunky at first. Almost awkward. I was so used to going non-stop, keeping busy. Then that first sweet babe came along and slowed me down enough to rock my world.

A new identity was born.
A new purpose was born.
A new me was born.

But instead of letting the world convince you that this is a bad thing, we get the opportunity to accept it as the beautiful gift that it is.

A Call to Holiness

Our role as mothers is to point to Jesus, and sometimes that looks like dying to ourselves—laying down our lives in ways we never imagined. But it also means that a new version of us is raised up.

We come out stronger.
We come out victorious.
We come out sanctified.
We come out serving something greater than ourselves.

Yes, motherhood can feel like a burden at times—but that’s usually when we fix our eyes on ourselves and our own needs. When we fix our eyes on God, we begin to see there’s something bigger at play. Motherhood was never intended to simply make us happy (though it often does!). It was meant to make us holy—but only if we allow Him to do that work.

One Day at a Time

After having our first baby, I was so overwhelmed by what lay ahead.

How can I run on this little sleep for this long?
How will we get through this regression?
How will we manage this sickness?

It felt daunting to think about the weeks and months ahead. My mind spiraled into the what-ifs instead of focusing on the present moment. I struggled with breastfeeding because it was new, awkward, and frustrating. I couldn’t imagine doing it for weeks, let alone months.

But this second time around, I kept repeating to myself:

One day at a time.

And that changed everything.

I stopped pressuring myself to have a perfect plan. I let go of rigid systems. Because the truth is, with kids, you have to learn to go with the flow. Their needs will disrupt your plans. And that’s okay.

Trust Your Motherly Instincts

When I first became a mom, I went to Google for everything. I wanted to know exactly how to do everything right.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Absolutely everyone has an opinion.

Sleep training, discipline, feeding—name a topic, and you’ll find a thousand conflicting voices. But more important than all of those voices is this:

What is God speaking to YOU as a mom?

"Motherly instincts" aren’t just a cute phrase. They’re real. And they are a gift. God has equipped you to mother your children. Trust that.

Adjusting to the New “Us”

It’s okay to grieve the shift in identity—not just as an individual but as a couple. You and your spouse are no longer just husband and wife. You’re now mom and dad.

Grieving that old life is normal, but don’t believe the lie that it’s gone forever. You will find pockets of time that are just for the two of you again. You’ll have little moments that take you back to what was. But more importantly, you’ll see that what’s ahead is even better.

Your life isn’t over.
You’ve just added more life to it.

Seasons Change—But God’s Work Remains

Motherhood will always be hard. But let God teach you in the midst of it.

I won’t tell you to “soak up every moment!” or “just enjoy it all—it goes too fast!” Because the reality is, some of it is hard. Some days do feel long and slow.

But no season lasts forever.

The sleepless nights? They will pass.
The exhausting regressions? They will pass.
The constant clinginess? It will pass.

But so will the precious, sweet moments.
The newborn snuggles.
The tiny hands reaching for yours.
The giggles and the little voices calling, "Mama!"

So in every season, focus less on what you wish would change—and more on what God is doing in you through it. Don’t see this season as a burden, however weary you may feel. Instead, ask God to help you see the beauty in it.

Because with Him—and the perspective He gives—I promise you, it’s there.