About the Author

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, heart-encourager, and grace-needer. She's also a wife and mom of three Joshua (27), Andrew (24), and Aster (13) and the best-selling author of "A Confident Heart" and her newest book, "A Confident Mom," released in February! Renee loves making memories with her family, creating beautiful...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Thanks Renee for your powerful words and real life example- this so encouraged me today.

    • Jenny, I’m so glad my story encouraged you!! Motherhood is hard and messy some days, but for Jesus wants us to know He offers us mama’s so much grace, and boy am I grateful.

  2. Loved this story! I’ve also vowed as a parent to own my wrongs and preach it from the mountaintops. A few mos ago, my 6yo spill something, and quietly grabbed a paper towel and cleaned he up. Afterwards he ran over to me and told me he owned his mistake and made it right. My heart sang!! There is so much more to learn. Right now I’m looking for guidance on how to guide my son through grief following a miscarriage. I want to help hold his sweet heart ❤️

  3. Hello Mothers,

    I am one of those who love the role of being a mother. I am not quick to admit that it’s the most difficult role to embrace without the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you on this “life long” journey. I didn’t know that those mothers who tred this path before me needed help also. As a “normal” female, I like to be right, I like to correct others, I like to be in charge of projects, and I really enjoy looking like it’s easy to get the job done.

    Okay, alert, when you become a mother you start over in being a little girl playing with your dolls. But real babies need everything to thrive. Only it’s not easy to learn on the go. All new babies have their personalities already crafted (DNA, RNA, humanity) and they can’t talk to us about their concerns so they cry out to us for help. Of course, we don’t know how to read between the lines (smile). My advice is to ask God to teach you to be the best mother you can be for your new baby each time you get a new baby, a new toddler, a new pre-schooler, a new Jr. High student, a new High School student, a new college student and a new young adult who will always need your attention and encouragement. Yes, it’s a lifetime journey that can bring such reward and fulfillment.

    Never give up on your journey and don’t be surprised when your children teach you valuable lessons also.

    Enjoy your day.

    Brenda

  4. Wow! Yes! Too often I go to bed feeling like I messed up as a mama – telling myself that I can do better the next day. Thank you for reminding me that I don’t have to be perfect (and neither do my kids) and that there is great power in a heartfelt apology. <3

    • I used to go to bed feeling guilty, too, and when I did it was so hard to sleep. I’m so thankful Jesus eventually got me to start apologizing sooner than later. And if my kids were asleep, I’d do it the next day. That’s what being a confident mom looks like. Being confident that HE who began His good work in us and in our kids will complete it until we see HIM!!

  5. Thank you for this reminder. Even though my own children are adults now, I am a teacher, so I get to practice these things daily. Just like being a mother, some days I do better than others, but if I ask Jesus to guide my words and actions each day, things go much smoother, and my witness is much more credible.

    • I love that you are “mothering” the children in your classroom and modeling the beautiful power of an apology. You don’t have to be perfect. What matters is that we care and do the best we can. And when we fall short, His mercies are there, new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. So grateful for Him.

  6. Thank you for this, Renee. I always love seeing your name on here because it is always something I need to be reminded of in parenting. I always ask God to mold me into the momma He would have me to be and please fill in where I lack!

    • That’s a beautiful prayer Courtney, and one I know He will and is honoring each day. I hope you’ll win a copy of my book since it sounds like one you’d enjoy!

  7. I had a very wise supervisor who saw me struggle with family, work, and all that comes with life. She helped me to “take off the cape”- I was not super mom and had no need to be. I put the “cape” in the drawer and what a relief. Yes, we need to be kind to others, but mostly that comes from first being kind to ourselves.

    • Thank you for sharing that. It’s so very true! One of the things I talk about in my new book, A Confident Mom, is that I finally realized everything I needed to know as a mom, I would need to learn, receive and believe as a child of God. God’s grace towards us is so much more than we realize or offer ourselves. And I’m so grateful.

  8. It’s hard to be this disciplined in my heart when I have not one…. But three…. Simultaneously speaking/talking/running/being kids. I may be able to show restraint and honor boundaries I have set when it’s with only one child around..: but with several children around it isn’t simple
    To clean up the messes I made whilst parenting with frustration and exhaustion.

  9. My goodness! How timely this simple lesson is!! A weekend getaway for my precious daughter and son-in-law gave me plenty of time with my grandchildren; however, a simple game of UnoFlip quickly became the trying grounds of winning easily, (maybe a little bit of cheating), and reacting too much, too quickly, resulted in me acting just like my father to my only grand daughter!
    Like many of us, my parents also, in the scope of their lives never said I’m sorry to anyone for anything!! As l spoke words to my precious Hanna, l also had to ask her forgiveness, and trying once again to avoid the seeds of harshness and sadness that my siblings and l endured until the Lord took my father home!
    How precious is forgiveness?? And how in our homes will we ever be worthy of the forgiveness of our Heavenly Father??
    Thank you for your words! The Holy Spirit had already spoken to my heart, but it is always a blessing that as parents, grandparents, even precious children, we will never be perfect enough to be part of heaven!!
    So thankful for Christ, who bridged the gap of faith, for me!!

    • Amen!! What a sweet gift of humility you gave your precious Hanna. You are starting a new legacy for your family and it will matter for generations to come!!

  10. Wow! Does the lord put things in your view when you need it! Just had parent teacher conferences for my little. Definitely puts into perspective areas I need to work on as a momma to help him reach his full potential.

    • Isn’t God’s timing so sweet? I just said a prayer for you, Renee, to know just what your little one needs to hear and how you can encourage his heart. xoxo

  11. Renee,

    Children are imitators. They watch us to see how we behave. It’s good to show them that we aren’t perfect. We are, like them, flawed humans who mess up. They can realize that they aren’t expected to be perfect all the time. They can make mistakes like us & we will forgive them once they own it. Praying for all mamas out there. It is truly hard to raise Godly Christian children in today’s society.

    Blessings 🙂

    • You’re right, children really do learn from watching us, just like we did with our parents. May we model Jesus’ love, forgiveness, humility and grace — and say we’re sorry when we don’t knowing Jesus will use that too.

  12. I can’t begin to explain how much this encouraged me this morning. As a mom of three girls under 9, I struggle everyday with motherhood and wondering, “Am I doing this right?” So looking forward to reading more and gleaning wisdom from you, Renee. ♥️

    • Shannon, I wrote my new book for moms just like you, who are in the trenches loving their kids (of every age) and wanting to do the best they can but feeling like it’s never enough. I know how that feels. It’s overwhelming but Jesus wants you to know the fact that you care and want to is what matters most to Him. I hope you win a copy of my book or get one for yourself for Mother’s day!!

  13. Thank you for your encouragement. As moms, we need to build each other up and let each other know that it’s ok!! We all mess up. We are all a mess just doing the best we can each and every day. And we aren’t alone. God is on our side and so are other moms. I look forward to reading this book!!

  14. Encouragement I need as a mom- daily Encouragement in motherhood, ways to find rest and not lose my temper at little things

  15. Eek! I just found myself in this situation last night. As a single mom to a 14-yr old introvert girl who has cancer and doesn’t talk to anyone but her therapist, and a 13-yr old son who defies all rules and pushes every boundary, I find myself losing my patience with my words and tone more often than I would like to admit. Although I often apologize to my kids and ask for forgiveness when I mess up, I just keep praying that I get to a place where I don’t have to because I choose patience and kind words first.

    Thank you for the reminder, Renee! I actually had this up in my phone to read yesterday and then… life. So as I messed up last night, I thank the Holy Spirit for putting this in my life this morning right when I needed to hear it!

  16. Wow. Talk about timing. It’s late at night, the kids are in bed, and I’m trying to settle down after an argument with my teenage daughter. I said some things and later apologized, but still feel that bad mom feeling. I told God I am failing my kids and screwing up something He gave me.

    I got on my phone to unwind when your email popped up and the subject line lured me. Your story is soooo relatable and the timing of receiving it, right when I needed the encouragement.

    Regardless of if I win a copy, I’m definitely going to have to look into this book.

  17. Wow! God really has a way of sending you exactly what you don’t even know you need! This sounds exactly like me when parenting my high needs neuroatypical 6-1/2 year old daughter. I feel like Im always “messing up” and apologizing afterwards. I’m encouraged to know that this will help her learn that mistakes are part of life and that it’s how we deal with them that’s important.

  18. While my children are grown with their own children I would love to be encouraged to be a better more loving mom! Thanks for the opportunity. Sharon

  19. My son is struggling after starting high school and I am struggling with being a teenager’s mom. I told him, we have to figure things out together. I think I am doing good then along comes the next thing. Now I am sitting and praying, trying to keep my mind busy as we wait. He didn’t come home from school yesterday. Praying constantly for his protection.

  20. This article is just what I needed to hear! I let hurry and stress dictate how I speak to my kids – and I end up feeling like a failure. I do apologize when I am out of line but the lesson I really need to learn is that my tone during those stressful moments can be better if my heart is aligned with Biblical truth.

  21. Just recently and through most of my daughter’s life we have dealt with struggles. She is a beautiful, sweet, creative, loving, and bright girl but she struggles with confidence, anxiety, getting upset/angry over small things, can’t focus at times, and struggles with listening especially at home. We have tried suggestions from her doctor, books, and counselors but we still have struggles. As parents we want to build her up and help her be confident but I feel I have failed as a mom with how I respond at times. I try to be positive and point out the good but yet in heated moments I have lost my cool due to my own stress and got too upset with her. We forgive each other and try to move forward but I feel I have failed some how along the way to be that mom she needs by putting my work and school before dealing with issues. I truly try to balance it all and be there for our son too but it is hard at times. Honestly I would love this book to help me realize how to be a better mom and how I possibly am doing good things that I need to continue. I pray I can be that role model for my daughter and son to grow up to be wonderful individuals and maybe one day into positive wonderful parents themselves!

  22. This message resonates with me, as I am married to a perfectionist, and I have seen how his tendancies have spilled over into my children in different ways. These kiddos are now becoming parents themselves, and I pray that they will realize that they do not have to be perfect because God made them to be the parents their child will need. I would love to share this new book with each of them in hopes to encourage them to be the parent God made them to be, and to lean into His power on this blessed journey that they are beginning as mommies and daddies!

  23. Hello,

    Thank you for such good advice.
    I pray we all will be more understanding & loving to everyone we meet!

    Hugs
    Sandy