Car rider line. Those three little words inspire a range of memories and emotions, not the least of which is the constant hustle mothers face.
Author Caris Snider knows that busyness. Her new devotional book, “Car Line Mom Devotional: 100 Days of Encouragement for the Mama who Gets Everybody Everywhere,” draws from her own experiences in the car rider line and seeks to encourage other moms on the same journey.
“As a mom, I get it,” Snider told The Alabama Baptist. “The overwhelm we experience, the comparison we feel trapped in at times and the thoughts of failing God and our family can be paralyzing.”
Role of motherhood
“Our heavenly Father doesn’t view us the way we view ourselves, thankfully. He called us to this important role of motherhood, and I wanted to share with mamas everywhere God’s truth to combat the untruths working to steal our joy.”
Each chapter tackles a common parenting challenge, with relatable titles like “Hectic Mornings, Chaotic Afternoons,” “Crumbs in the Crevices” and “So Hard Letting Go.” Snider includes a verse of Scripture, a relevant story from her own experiences, an action step and a prayer to help put each situation in perspective.
It’s a different direction than her previous books for children and adults, which have focused on coping with anxiety. But the inspiration is the same, Snider said.
“For the books I have written in the past, God always led me back to the struggles and how He was there in the midst of them helping me overcome. The strategies, Scripture and people He brought into my life put me on a path of writing to share with others so they wouldn’t believe the lie that I did, thinking I was alone and the only one struggling.
“‘Car Line Mom Devotional’ came from the same desire to encourage and offer hope,” she said.
Parents play an important role in the lives of children and in the culture at large, Snider said, because “the enemy is attacking our children like never before with confusion, anxiety and doubt of purpose.”
Parents must build their own foundation in Christ and then train children to stand strong in Christ too.
Moms especially need to be reminded that God will meet with them in the moments of the mundane and bring His peace in the chaos of every afternoon stop, Snider said.
“The goal is to let mamas know they are not alone. God sees them under the piles of laundry, the hidden tears behind locked bathroom doors.
“He did not call us to this role and abandon us. He will equip us with exactly what we need on every twist and turn and straightaway of this motherhood journey.”
The emphasis on Scripture is important, Snider said. Many moms have shared with her that they feel they are failing in their efforts to spend time alone with God and His Word. She hopes the book will encourage readers that “God wants our moments.”
“When we surrender our moments to Him, He will show up in a powerful and tender way,” she said. “Change happens in His presence. The hope is that this will spill into every family as they allow God’s grace to guide them day by day, stop by stop.”
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