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I have two children, Samantha Grace (age 4) and Luke Stephen (18 months). While I feel blessed because of their lives, there are many days that it is hard to see that blessing. Sometimes the level of demands on me as a mom, a wife, a working mother, a daughter, a sister, and a volunteer seems unbearable. I always have the sense that I have to do each and every one of them well. When I feel I've fallen short in any one of these areas (especially parenting), I'm particularly hard on myself.

My sister, who I believe is one of the best moms I know, has a funny way of relieving the stress and pain of these dreadful "mom" moments.

Those moments like when you go through all the motions to arrive on time at dance class at 9:00 a.m. only to be met by a large sign saying "class is cancelled" and you realize in the pit of your stomach that it's your fault because you forgot to put it on your calendar after the flyer came in the mail. She humorously calls these "mom of the year" award-winning moments. And this works for her—she can laugh off the embarrassment.

I've tried to make this work, too. Time after time I'll tell myself, "Oh great, I'm up for another mom-of-the year award," but the humor part never comes for me. In fact, in those moments I am slowly shaming myself into thinking that somehow, maybe I could really be the "mom-of-the-year." Yes, I think that crazy thought! If I only try a little harder, if I only remember a little better, the list goes on.

Truth is, I'm as good as I'm gonna get right now! So God reaches out his hand and leads me—and all moms—through those moments into a "Brighter Day."

TCM: What goes through your mind as you check your kids into your church's children's ministry each week?

Annie: Gratitude and awe. I am so utterly grateful week after week that there are people who commit their lives to ensuring my daughter and son know Christ at a young age. I'm also amazed that the result I can already see from their efforts is my children love going to church and love learning more about Jesus! I know the people in my church's children's ministry care as much about this happening with my children as I do, so I deeply appreciate this partnership—as do parents everywhere.

TCM: What hopes, dreams, and prayers do you have for your children's spiritual life?

Annie: Wow—a tough, but excellent question. When I look at my own spiritual life, it really began when I was 20 years of age. While I was raised in a Christian faith, my family never fully understood the depth, breadth, and personal message of grace and love from Jesus Christ. It was only after I accepted Christ as a young adult that I've begun to develop a personal relationship with him. I still have so much to learn and so far to grow.

So as a mom, I'm doing all I can do to make sure my children have a depth of faith and understanding as early as possible. My prayer is that they'll live fully convinced that there is a God who loves them beyond comprehension.

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