Wounded: Devotionals for a Mom on the Mend

By Alicia Searl

Wounded was written out of a wounded heart. Alicia Searl shares her heartfelt stories of how she is constantly seeking truth to set her free to be the mom God is calling her to be. She realizes that failure is always an option, but with Christ, defeat doesn’t have to be. Like many moms, she yearns to be valued, craves deep and meaningful relationships, and is constantly searching to find calm in the chaos.

These 30 devotionals invites you into a conversation with a real mom struggling to stay the course. Alicia realizes her story is nothing special, but with the richness of God’s goodness, He can take our ordinary and make it extraordinary for Him. May you discover:

· That God’s plan is always the best plan
· You’re view may be flawed, but God’s view is flawless
· How to make time for your husband when you have so many demands
· With a peaceful and forgiving heart, relationships can heal
· How to take a time out for yourself and just breathe
· The joy and hope that comes from knowing you have a Mighty Savior on your side

No matter what season you find yourself in as a mom, may God open up your heart and move in a way that reveals His amazing love for you. May you be encouraged to know that God cannot only make you a better mom, but can mend your wounds and heal you from within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973693680

Alicia Searl

Alicia Searl is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy. She enjoys leading young ladies to Christ and speaking to the youth group at her church. Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page as her sweet dog licks her feet.

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Copyright © 2020 Alicia Searl.

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people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The

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Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®.

Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by

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Scripture quotations marked ESV taken from The Holy Bible, English

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-9369-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9368-0 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 6/9/2020

To wounded mommas everywhere. May you find

peace and comfort in knowing you are not alone on

this wild journey. Together let’s seek truth, connect

our hearts, and find true rest in Him. You were made

for this and are so much stronger than you think!

This is especially dedicated to my little ladies,

Savannah, Audrey, and Emma. Without you, I

wouldn’t be writing this book. Thank you for

giving me my purpose and offering me grace

and mercy every single day. I love you dearly!

Contents

Wounded Devotionals for a Mom on the Mend

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Wounded Mom Set Free by Truth

This Wasn’t My Plan

When I’m Not Enough

Sometimes It’s Hard to Find Joy

Work of Heart

Momma Rage

Comparisons Are Not Welcome

My View Is Flawed

Overcome with Fear

Ouch! Those Words Really Hurt

What Will Be Your Legacy?

Wounded Mom Grows Through Connection

But, I’m so Lonely

A Sweet Friendship

When to Hold On and When to Let Go

Marriage After Motherhood

Bless Your Husband

I’m Totally Ruining Them

A Mother’s Precious Prayers

We are Family

Blink of an Eye Encounters

What God Has to Say to You

Wounded Mom Restored by Rest

Noise! Noise! Noise!

I Just Need a Day Off

Laughter Really Is Good Medicine

Over Being Overwhelmed

It’s Okay to Receive Help

Where Is My Porch Swing?

When Mommy Complains

But I Don’t Want to Be the Mom

It’s in the Little Moments

On the Mend

Wounded

Devotionals for a

Mom on the Mend

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Acknowledgements

This devotional was written out of a weary and lonely heart. After speaking to a few other moms and hearing their aching hearts, the Lord nudged me to open up and share my stories with you. We can often acquire wounds on this journey, feeling messy, broken and misunderstood. Sometimes all we need is another mom to come alongside us to say, I’ve been there. You, sweet momma, are not alone!

Many thanks to those that prayed over this endeavor. Without your prayers I am not sure this would have come to completion. My sincere thanks to those that believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I want to personally thank my sweet husband, Jeremy. He has not only walked through every one of these struggles and joys with me, but has encouraged me, and continues to love me unconditionally.

Above all else, I want to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for placing it on my heart to be real and honest about my mom life. Although it was fairly intimidating to take on this challenge, it’s always worth being vulnerable for His glory. He has so much goodness and grace for this generation of mothers. Each and every devotional was prayed over so that His abundant love would be revealed for you. May your heart get a warm hug, be encouraged, and feel a little more understood by another broken momma. Most importantly, may you be filled by the amazing love our Heavenly Father has for you.

Introduction

Motherhood is not for wimps! In fact, many times I feel like I am in a battle, wanting to cower down in a corner, cover my head, and close my eyes. Add some spa music playing in the background; that wouldn’t be so bad. Actually, it sounds pretty nice. But as I slip into that peaceful daydream, reality slaps me in the face; my toddler whacks me upside the head with her Barbie doll, my ten-year-old is about to slide down the banister, and my teen just rolled her eyes - at me. Hmm… this isn’t exactly how I envisioned motherhood.

There is nothing more rewarding, yet utterly exhausting, than raising little humans. I’m a mom, just like you. A grateful but heavy-hearted mom. My husband, Jeremy, and I have three beautiful little ladies: Savannah, Audrey, and Emma. I have had many ups and downs on this wild ride. Times when I couldn’t pour out enough love and times when my heart was ripped wide open. Moments I was so honored to be a mom, and moments when I wanted to pull my hair out. Some days I feel completely invisible - not to be confused with invincible. I wish there was a super cape in my closet, but most days I feel anything but super. Motherhood isn’t just mounds of laundry, piles of dishes, and rambunctious children running every which way. It’s heart work! There are days that it takes every fiber of my being to just keep going. Even still, with all the sticky kisses, unexpected hugs, and tender moments, it’s absolutely all worth it, and makes my heart melt.

You want to really know what motherhood makes me think of? Bubble gum. Everyone wants a piece of me and my many flavors. But there are times I find myself in some pretty sticky situations, feeling stale, worn, used, and flavorless. I fall into these ooeey gooey places where I trip over lies, feeling alone and exhausted; and in order to get out of those sticky places, I need a fresh perspective. One that will fill my weary heart with truth, while helping me see the value of true, authentic relationships and sacred rest.

Hence the birth of Wounded. The topics I share in each devotional come from the struggles I have faced (and still face) in this season. I’m sharing with you my real, authentic, and sometimes crazy battle, … I mean journey through motherhood. Although your stories may be different, and our views may vary, if you are a Godly gal carrying around a heavy heart, trying to get your flavor back, you are in good company. To be honest with you, there is nothing really special about me. There is no incredible story about how I conquered some amazing feat, coming out on the other side defeating all the odds. There also isn’t a bunch of wisdom, or an awe-inspiring message, but… before you throw this book down and roll your eyes, I can say that, for some reason, God impressed upon me to