There are mornings during my quiet time when a verse seems to jump off the page and settle deeply into my heart. Have you ever had that happen?
A while back, I took a slow drive through the book of I Peter. Before reading, I always ask the Holy Spirit to point out something I need to see—encouragement, conviction, or direction for where I am right now.
One morning, I found myself lingering on I Peter 3:10 (NIV): For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”
At first, I wasn’t sure why this verse stood out. Maybe because it is on the classic Steve Green’s CD Hide ‘Em in Your Heart CD and it is a fun one to sing with kids? Honestly, I am not what most people would call an evil person. And lying? I am terrible at it. My face gives me away every single time.
So why this verse?
Looking at Lies Like a Preschooler
At first, I thought about lying from a child’s perspective. “Did you take the cookie?” “No.” That obvious, childish lie is easy to spot.
But as I sat quietly, I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to look deeper. What if deceit is more than spoken words? What about the moments when I say, Jesus is the most important person in my life, but my actions tell a different story?
When Actions Don’t Match Faith
I say Jesus comes first.
But sometimes I choose my own comfort and laziness over obedience.
I say He matters most.
But impatience slips into my voice when plans change or frustration builds.
I say I am Christ-like.
But kindness and self-control are not always my first response.
Ouch.
The truth is, motherhood has a way of exposing what is really happening in our hearts. The exhausting days, sibling arguments, constant interruptions, and unmet expectations often reveal places where God is still growing us.
And maybe you have felt that too.
You love Jesus. You want to respond with patience and grace. Yet there are moments when you hear your tone or see your reaction and think, That is not who I want to be.
Friend, you are not alone.
What Motherhood Reveals About the Heart
One thing I learned while raising my kiddos is this: pressure reveals what is already inside.
Jesus said in Matthew 15:18 (NIV): But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
That verse feels personal, doesn’t it?
The words we speak and the way we respond often reveal what is happening underneath the surface.
But here is the encouraging part: God does not reveal those hard places to shame us. He reveals them so we can grow.
Faith Is More Than Words
Scripture reminds us over and over that love for Jesus is lived out in everyday choices.
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18 (NIV)
If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15 (NIV)
Our faith is not proven in the big moments. It is shown in the ordinary ones.
- Choosing patience when everyone is melting down
- Speaking kindly when frustration rises
- Asking forgiveness after reacting poorly
- Showing self-control when emotions feel big
Those small choices matter.
Giving Ourselves Grace While Growing
Can I encourage you with something? Growth takes time. We will not do this perfectly.
Some days we will respond with grace and kindness. Other days we will need to apologize and try again.
Thankfully, God already knows that. His desire is not perfection—it is growth.
Every time we choose patience over anger, kindness over harshness, or obedience over selfishness, we are taking one more step toward becoming more like Christ.
And that is worth celebrating.
Know another mom, grandparent, or teacher who is trying to grow in patience and grace? Share this post to encourage them too.
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