But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Wounds that brought healing. Chastisement that brought peace. The stretched out hands of our God opened wide to die for a people that would become His very own possession. His arms opened wide to pull us close. He let our iniquities crush Him…to bring us peace.

Isaiah 53:5 allows for Romans 8:1 grace.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

Mommy guilt does no good for your soul. The needful thing is repentance. Feeling really bad about our imperfections only feels like turning away from them, but it is not the same. Condemnation looks on sin and cries about it. Confession and repentance acknowledge it is so and remembers, clings to, hopes in the bloody cross and the healing wounds. It is dying to self that always gives way to life. And the cherishing of self that always gives way to death.

Mommy guilt does not teach a child the Gospel or grace at all. Mommy guilt does not bring peace, but repentance does. Jesus brings peace to our churning souls, all wrought up by what we are not. The “are nots” serving the “I am.” And He is enough for all our failings. The Father let Jesus suffer in our place. He is enough for all that goes wrong in our days.

So there is no accusation that can stick, no charge that holds a weight, guilt eradicated, sin evaporated…. A mommy able to teach her children a glorious Gospel, one filled with mounting grace, grace upon grace. A mommy FREED!