A Moment for Moms | Embracing Motherhood’s Paradox: Holding On, Letting Go, and Trusting God’s Plan

“You just hold on too tight.” These words from Elizabeth Carlyle, alumni mom of Cooper ‘17 and Caroline ‘20, resonated deeply at "A Moment for Moms" as she recounted the touching experience of teaching her son to ride a bike. 

Elizabeth spent the evening running in endless circles around the cul de sac, holding tightly to Cooper as he wobbled and stumbled on his bike. When her husband returned home from work, he took over, and Elizabeth went inside to make dinner. A few minutes later, she heard a knock on the window and looked up to see Cooper riding on his own. Surprised, she asked how he learned so quickly with his dad’s help. His response highlighted a great paradox of motherhood—knowing when to hold on and when to let go.

Throughout her conversation, Elizabeth encouraged mothers to embrace this paradox: “We instinctively hold on but are called to let go.” Throughout her conversation at A Moment for Moms, one theme was clear: mothers need to trust in knowing that there is nothing a parent can do that God is not sovereign over, and they have been specifically designated and designed by God to be the mother of their children.

“As mothers,” Elizabeth explained, “we live with the hope that our children are okay, that we haven’t messed them up, that they can achieve more than we could, and, most importantly, that their future and eternity are secure in Christ.” 

When doubts cloud our minds, Elizabeth urged mothers to find comfort in Scripture:

• Moses’ response to God in Exodus 4 when asked to deliver God’s people from Egypt: “O my Lord, I am not eloquent,” but the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” God has and will continue to equip you to be the parent your child needs, so long as you trust that He will provide for you. 
• “The sun rises, and the sun sets and hurries back to where it rises.” Ecclesiastes 1:5. Circumstances and doubt may cloud your vision that God is still there, but God remains the same, and the sun will rise again. Tomorrow is a new day.
• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. We have not been left to our own strength; we have been sent a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who is near and equips you.

In her heartfelt presentation, Elizabeth Carlyle reminded mothers that parenting is a journey of faith, trust, and letting go. By leaning into God’s sovereignty and promises, mothers can embrace both the challenges and joys of motherhood, knowing that He equips them daily to be exactly the parents their children need. Even in our shortcomings, we can rest assured that tomorrow is a fresh start, and His mercies are new every morning.