Sometimes being a mom feels like running a marathon to nowhere.

You’ve got high heels on one foot, and an untied tennis shoe on the other. The race course is filled with crazy obstacles and people keep yelling things from the sidelines about things you should be doing and bills you need to pay. You thought your friends or family were coming to cheer you on today, but you’ve been running a while and haven’t seen them yet. The finish line seems a million miles away and what you really want to do is curl up under a blanket and binge watch….anything (with a carton of salted caramel ice cream)!

But, you know you have to just keep running.

Then there are the moments you slow down for a minute, like when your kids get really quiet and you find them actually getting along and making each other laugh. There’s the moments that surprise you, like when your teenage daughter gives you the biggest hug, tells you she loves you and that you’re the “best mom in the world.” And the moments that make you proud and feel like maybe you’ve done something right for once. Like when your little boy gathers up all the bravery he has and after lots of practice- finally takes off on his bike, riding all by himself. But then you realize, this is just the beginning of his freedom, as he rides off down the street without you.

Cherishing these meaningful moments (and even some of the messy ones) is what makes the race worth running. God promises us in Isaiah 40:31 that when we trust in Him, He’s going to give us NEW strength to keep going.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

It’s good to know that other moms are going through the same thing. I’ve been watching some of our favorite Christian artists who are moms and have learned a few things.

1. Kari Jobe

Life can be CRAZY busy! With two Christian music artists as parents, a lot of life is spent out on the road with unusual schedules and late bedtimes. I love how Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes invite their kids to be a part of what they’re doing. They bring their kids to sing, dance and praise God along with them, even on stage…

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A post shared by Kari Jobe Carnes (@karijobe)

2. Ellie Holcomb

Ellie shows us how we can make memories from a mess… literally! Her baby boy spilled his favorite smoothie all over the floor and she decided to turn the moment into a fun memory.

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A post shared by Ellie Holcomb (@ellieholcomb)

3. Blanca

Blanca shows us how to cherish the sweet moments in this video with her son. Teaching our kids that God can take all the craziness that happens in life and make it into Something Better.

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A post shared by BLANCA (@officialblanca)

4. Rachael Lampa

Rachael Lampa singing with her family shows us how to build a home filled with love and HOPE. As the actual beams go up in the physical home they’re building, Rachael and her husband take a moment out of the stressful building process to enjoy the moment together. They remind us to stop and praise God for the things He’s done in our life.

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A post shared by Rachael Lampa (@rachaellampa)

5. Tasha Layton

Tasha‘s love for her kids shines in this Songs from a Mug, you can tell they’ve spent some time curled up on the couch together! You’ve got to hear her interpretation of her son’s favorite movie song. And like so many mom’s out there, while Tasha is running her marathon, she’s got the Bluey theme song stuck in her head.

Bonus CeCe Winans

We can’t forget the grandmas! They’ve got special perspective because they haven’t been forgotten, they’ve been promoted. CeCe Winans shows us how to bask in the beauty of grandchildren with these adorable photos of the first year of her granddaughters life.

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A post shared by CeCe Winans (@cecewinans)

Hopefully, these artists have inspired you to find fun in the crazy times and perspective in the exhausting times. When you feel like you’re ready to give up the race, it’s OK to curl up under the blanket. Maybe invite those sweet kids to join you and cherish the cuddles while they last. Or maybe wait until they go to bed and enjoy a few rare minutes of peace. Whatever you choose, know that God is running the race with you every step of the way. He knows where you’ve been. He knows where you’re going. He knows every obstacle along the way and He WILL help you win the race. Hang in there mom! It’s worth it.

Practical Wisdom and Encouragement From a Bible Mom