There’s not enough, I often think to myself.

Not enough time to pursue my passions. Not enough focus to do my work well. Not enough emotional energy to be a supportive wife.

And in these stretching seasons, when resources feel scarce, I feel the not-enough-ness most in motherhood.

I want to be everything for my kids⁠. The stakes feel so high⁠, but I feel inadequate. Not cut out for this. Just scraping by.

But then I’m reminded of Gideon, a man whom God called to lead his people into battle against their oppressors, despite Gideon’s many doubts. Gideon was the youngest son of a family from the weakest clan⁠—hardly warrior status.

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
—Judges 6:15-16 (NIV)

He also felt completely abandoned by God, and was honest enough to say it to an angel sent by God Himself. I can hear the hurt in his voice, the raw emotion beneath the question:

• Why aren’t You providing for me the way You did for them?

• How could You leave us here to suffer?

• How can I believe You’ll be with me now?

God responded to Gideon’s heartache and doubt with tenderness and patience, providing sign after sign to Gideon that he could be assured of God’s help.

Yet, as Gideon prepared to lead 32,000 men into battle, God interrupted and dwindled his army down to just 300 men. (God wanted to make sure Israel knew that He saved them⁠—they didn’t save themselves.) With these impossible odds, victory could only come from God⁠⁠—and it did, with God securing peace for Israel that lasted 40 years. 

God was determined to prove to His children⁠—both to Israel then, and to us now⁠—that He isn’t restricted by human resources to achieve His plans and purposes. Our God, who holds all power in His hands, operates from His perfect, glorious, abundant riches.

 So when I read God say, “Am I not sending you?” it cuts straight through the insecurities I feel as a mom. God has sent me on this mission, and that is enough. He has called me to this task not because of my resume or resources, but based on the assurance of His presence and abundant provision in every moment.

Each of us has vastly different circumstances and resources at our disposal. Some of us may be facing financial instability, mental health challenges, or the lack of a “village” of family and friends nearby for support. These are real challenges, and God wants us to boldly approach His throne with prayers that He would meet those needs.

But when hard times persist, we still have access to our most precious resource by far: God Himself.

Gideon’s story reminds us just how tangible God’s presence and power can be, no matter what we lack. May God help us to see each area of lack as a chance to open our hands to His unexpected, miraculous plan.

This article includes an excerpt from Ellie Hunja’s new book, Blessings, New Mom: A Women’s Devotional, available everywhere books are sold.

ELLIE HUNJA is the author of Blessings, New Mom, a devotional offering grace and compassion for the first year of motherhood. Her writing flows from her deep love of people and empowers her readers to pursue lives full of faith, joy, and purpose. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children, and is a passionate leader in her local church. Her writing on parenting, mental health, embracing autism, and more can be found at elliehunja.com. Connect with her on Instagram at @elliehunja and on Facebook at @EllieHunjaWriter.