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Years ago, during our homeschooling days, I attended my only homeschool conference. One of my favorite writers and speakers, Sally Clarkson, was there, and I was excited to hear her speak. Her books had encouraged me so much as a young homeschool mom, and I hoped I might even get the chance to meet her in person.
Thankfully, I was able to do both.
During one of her sessions, she said four simple words that have stayed with me ever since:
“Your home is enough.”
She was talking about the power of home and how God can use the ordinary moments that happen within our four walls to shape our children into the people He created them to be. She believed that a home filled with love, truth, and intentionality is all that is needed to raise children who know and love God.
I wanted to believe her.
In fact, I think the reason those words stayed with me for so many years is because I wanted them to be true so badly. The problem was, I wasn’t convinced they were true for me. I believed them they were true for her and others, but I was struggling to believe my home was enough for my children’s emotional and spiritual development.
I looked at my own shortcomings and saw all the reasons my home wasn’t enough. I wasn’t creative. I struggled to stay organized. My patience often wore thin by the end of the day, and there were plenty of moments when I felt completely inadequate for the task of raising children. I wanted to give my boys the very best start in life, but if that depended on my ability to create a flourishing home, I was afraid they would somehow come up lacking.
Those thoughts followed me for weeks after the conference. Every time Sally’s words came back to mind, I found myself bringing them before the Lord in prayer.
“Lord, I don’t think my home is enough.”
One day, as I prayed, I felt the Lord gently ask me a question.
“Audrey, am I enough?”
The answer was obvious.
“Of course, Lord. You’re more than enough.”
And it was as if He responded, “Then let’s do this together.”
That exchange changed the way I viewed my home.
From that point on, my mantra was no longer “My home is enough” or “I hope my home is enough.” Instead, it became:
“My home plus Jesus is enough.”
That truth has anchored me for years.
I’m very aware of my weaknesses. I get tired. I run out of patience. I’m organizationally challenged. There are days when I feel like I’m fumbling my way through life and motherhood. But I’ve learned that God never asks us to accomplish His purposes in our own strength.
Every assignment God gives us is larger than our ability. Every calling requires us to lean on Him. Whether we’re raising children, serving in ministry, loving our families, or simply following Him day by day, we are constantly reminded that our strength is not enough. And that is exactly where God’s strength steps in.
The Lord isn’t looking for perfect mothers. He’s not looking for women who have all the answers, every skill, or every area of life neatly organized. He isn’t searching for golden vessels or silver vessels. He’s looking for willing vessels—women who will say, “Yes, Lord. Be it unto me according to Your word.”
I’ve discovered that faithfulness often looks like showing up and doing the work anyway, even when you’re convinced you’re going to fail. It takes courage to keep trying. It takes courage to trust God when you don’t know what you’re doing. And it takes courage to believe that He is working even when you don’t see immediate results.
During one particularly difficult season, the Lord led me to a story in 2 Kings 4 that brought comfort to my heart.
A widow came to the prophet Elisha in desperation. Her husband had died, leaving behind debts she couldn’t pay, and creditors were threatening to take her sons as payment. When Elisha asked what she had in her house.
She had nothing except a small jar of oil.
Elisha instructed her to gather empty vessels from her neighbors, bring them into her home, shut the door, and begin pouring. As she poured the oil never ran out. As she obeyed, God multiplied the oil until every vessel was full. What seemed small and insufficient in her hands became more than enough in God’s hands.
As I read that story, the Lord gave me a picture I have never forgotten.
My children are the vessels, on loan from God.
The oil represented the Holy Spirit.
And my responsibility was simply to pour.
I felt the Lord impress upon my heart that I didn’t need to have all the answers. I didn’t need to compete with the world. I didn’t need to fear every influence that might pull at my children’s hearts. Instead, I needed to faithfully pour into them what God had already poured into me.
Pour His Word.
Pour His truth.
Pour His love.
Pour the lessons He was teaching me.
Pour the faithfulness I had experienced.
Pour what little oil I had and trust Him to multiply it.
That picture changed the way I saw my assignment as a mom. I realized that my job wasn’t to produce perfect children. My job was to faithfully pour while trusting God to do what only He could do.
Looking back now, I can see His faithfulness everywhere.
My children aren’t perfect, and neither am I. They have their own personalities, their own convictions, and their own journeys with God. They’ve walked through seasons of questions and doubts, just like me. But they know the Lord, and for that I am deeply grateful.
Not because I did everything right.
Not because our home was perfect.
But because Jesus kept His promise to fill the gaps.
Friend, have you ever found yourself looking around your home and wondering whether it’s enough?
Let me assure you, your home plus Jesus is enough.
He can take what feels insufficient and multiply it. He can use ordinary mothers, ordinary homes, and ordinary acts of faithfulness to accomplish extraordinary things. He can fill every gap, strengthen every weakness, and guide every willing heart that is surrendered to Him.
So take courage. Keep pouring. Keep praying. Keep trusting.
And remember, you’re not doing this alone.
Jesus is with you.
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