Let’s talk about Sarah, one of the most well-known women in the Bible. She’s the mother of Isaac, wife of Abraham, and—let’s be honest—one of the most relatable moms out there. Sure, she lived thousands of years ago, wore tunics instead of yoga pants, and didn’t have Pinterest to guide her, but if you take a closer look at her story, you’ll see she had her fair share of struggles, doubts, and laughs—just like us.

Waiting on God’s Promise

One of the most striking things about Sarah is how long she had to wait for God to fulfill His promise of giving her a child. She was 90 years old when Isaac was born (yep, 9-0), and for years before that, she had to live with the deep ache of infertility.

Let’s pause there for a moment. Can you imagine how many tears she must have cried, how many nights she lay awake wondering why God seemed silent? Wondering if she would ever be a mama. If you’ve ever waited on something—a prayer for a baby, healing, or a breakthrough in your family—you know how hard it can be.

Sarah’s story resonates deeply with me because I, too, know the heartache of longing for children. As you know, our journey to Luci was long and hard. I still yearn for more babies, but my husband does not. So the constant praying and waiting for God to align our dreams and desires is challenging and exhausting.

I also know what it feels like to step into motherhood and feel completely unprepared for the journey. The truth is, being a mom—whether biological, through adoption, or in a spiritual sense—brings incredible joy but also incredible weight. There are days when I feel like I’m failing, like I’ll never get it right. There’s so much pressure to be the “perfect mom,” to juggle everything, and to give my best to everyone while still feeling like I’m falling short. Sarah’s story gives me hope, both in my waiting and in my daily struggles.

God’s Faithfulness in Our Imperfection

Sarah didn’t always get it right during the waiting. She laughed when God said she’d have a child (Genesis 18:12) and even tried to take matters into her own hands by arranging for her servant Hagar to have a child with Abraham (Genesis 16). Sound familiar? How often do we try to “help” God along because His timing doesn’t match ours?

And yet, God didn’t give up on Sarah. He fulfilled His promise to her, showing that His faithfulness doesn’t depend on our perfect trust but on His unchanging love.

This truth hits home for me. On the days when I feel inadequate as a mom or wonder if I’m praying the “right way” for God to answer my heart’s cries, I remember that God doesn’t expect perfection. His faithfulness is constant, even when my faith feels small.

Moms and Our Mess-Ups

Sarah’s story also reminds us that moms (and moms-in-waiting) don’t have to be perfect to be part of God’s plan. She had moments of doubt, impatience, and even jealousy (like when she later demanded that Hagar and her son leave). But through it all, God still used her to bring about His promise.

Whether you’re in the thick of raising little ones, longing for children, or navigating the ups and downs of motherhood, it’s easy to feel like you’re not enough. Social media doesn’t make it any easier, with picture-perfect moms seemingly thriving while you’re just trying to survive the day.

But Sarah’s story is a reminder that God works through imperfect people. He doesn’t need us to have it all together; He just needs us to trust Him and keep showing up.

Laughter in the Chaos

One of my favorite parts of Sarah’s story is when Isaac is finally born, and she says, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6).

That laughter is something I cling to as I navigate my own journey of motherhood and waiting. I believe there will come a day when I’ll laugh with joy at the way God answers my prayers—whether that’s by opening the door for more children, blessing my family in ways I can’t yet imagine, or teaching me to find peace in the season I’m in right now.

As women navigating the unknowns of life, it’s easy to get bogged down in the daily grind or the ache of waiting for something. But Sarah’s laughter reminds us that God is in the business of bringing joy out of our chaos. He’s the God who turns impossible situations into reasons to smile.

So today, whether you’re in the season of waiting, the season of chaos, or somewhere in between, remember Sarah. She’s a woman who messed up, doubted, and laughed—and God used her anyway.

So don't forget mamas, just like Sarah, God sees you, loves you, and has a plan for you and your family.

How can I pray for you today?