Last Updated on May 9, 2025
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
Motherhood comes in seasons. Some feel light and full of joy, like when your baby finally sleeps through the night or your child says something that makes you laugh until you cry.
But then there are the other seasons, the ones that feel heavy, lonely, and just plain hard.
I’ve walked through a few of those seasons myself, and I’m sure you have too. From early motherhood filled with anxiety and questions, to moments when I’ve felt completely drained and unsure of who I even was anymore.
Through it all, one thing I’ve come to realize is this: every season, even the ones we don’t see coming, God will use to shape us in some way…
God has used each one to grow me little by little. Not because I’ve handled every moment perfectly, but because He meets me right where I am—in the chaos, in the quiet, and even in the mess. I don’t have to have it all figured out. I just have to stay open to the process.
The New Mom Season: Fear and Fragility
When I first became a mom, I was overwhelmed with emotions I didn’t expect—anxiety, fear, and self-doubt. I questioned everything, worried constantly, and felt like I was getting it all wrong. And in many ways, it felt like everything that could go wrong did.
The weight of responsibility was heavy. I felt fragile—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Between unexpected health scares, sleepless nights, and moments where I had no idea what to do, it all felt like too much.
But looking back, I know God was there. He was with me in the middle of the night as I rocked my baby with tears running down my face. He heard every quiet prayer I whispered between feedings, begging Him for strength to make it through the day.
I thought I needed to get everything right. But God gently showed me that I didn’t need to be perfect, I just needed to lean on Him. And even when I felt like I was falling apart, He was holding me together.
The Working Mom Season: Guilt and Grace
Going back to work after having my first daughter hit me harder than I expected. I had prepared for it logistically, but emotionally, I wasn’t ready. I felt like I was missing everything—her firsts, the little moments, all the day-to-day things that felt so big at the time.
And the guilt? It was constant. I felt guilty for leaving her, for missing milestones, for being too tired at the end of the day to give her my full attention. No matter what I did, it felt like I was falling short.
But over time, God began to shift my perspective. He reminded me that my daughter didn’t need me to be there for everything, she just needed me. The one who loved her deeply, even when I couldn’t always be there.
I’ve learned to be present when we’re together and trust God to hold what I can’t. He’s the One who covers our children when we can’t be everywhere at once. That truth has brought me a lot of peace, even on the hard days.
The Identity Shift: Who Am I Now?
One of the hardest and most unexpected parts of motherhood has been the struggle with my identity, especially when it comes to my body. After nearly 24 hours of labor and an emergency C-section to deliver my first baby, I didn’t look or feel like myself anymore.
My pregnancy had been mostly uneventful, so I just assumed I’d bounce right back to the “me” I used to be. But that didn’t happen. Not right away, and honestly, not at all. I never fully returned to the person I was before becoming a mom, physically or mentally.
Years later, after having my second daughter, who was nearly ten pounds at birth, those same insecurities about my body still show up from time to time. I also continue to work hard to maintain my mental and emotional well-being.
But even in the struggle, God keeps reminding me: my body has done holy work. I am still growing, still learning, still becoming—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And I am still worthy. The version of me today is just as valuable as the one I used to hope I’d get back to.
The Growing Family Season: Balance and Boundaries
When our second daughter arrived, my heart grew, but so did the mental load. I constantly worried about whether I was giving my oldest enough attention or space to feel seen. I wanted her to know she was still just as loved, even as I cared for a new baby.
At the same time, I wanted to give my youngest the freedom to become who God made her to be, without always being in her sister’s shadow. It’s a balancing act that I’m still figuring out. But through it all, God is showing me that just as He loves each of us individually and completely, I can trust Him to help me do the same for my girls.
The Stay-at-Home Mom Season: Purpose and Provision
Transitioning from working mom to stay-at-home mom brought its own kind of identity shift. I struggled with the idea that if I wasn’t bringing in income, I somehow didn’t “deserve” the blessings I was experiencing.
But God is steadily tearing down that lie. He’s reminding me that my worth isn’t found in a paycheck, it’s found in obedience, presence, and love. That raising my children, caring for my home, and showing up in this season of service is just as important as any job I’ve ever held.
Embracing the Growth
Motherhood has changed me. Every season, every high and low, has left its mark. And while I’m still learning, still healing, still growing, I’m finally beginning to thank God for the woman He’s shaping me into.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” And I believe that includes me. That includes you.
So whatever season you’re in, whether it’s brand new or stretching you beyond what you thought you could handle, know that it’s not wasted. God is working, maturing you, and making something beautiful out of every tear, every prayer, every moment.