A Mum Looks Back - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Bible in a Year : 2 Kings 13-14, John 2

“This time I will praise the Lord.” So [Leah] named him Judah.
Genesis 29:35

Today's Scripture & Insight : Genesis 29:31-35

Donna started her parenting life with high expectations. Reality lowered the bar. “Being a mother was really the hardest thing I ever did,” she said. And one particular child “pushed every button I had.” The mum of three continued that the daily battles and arguments “brought back to me all the inadequacies and failures I felt and feel as a mother.”

When God chose Leah to be a matriarch of Israel, no doubt she had high expectations for each of her children. She gave her first four sons names with relevance to her difficult situation (Genesis 29:32-35). Yet when it comes to dark stories in the Bible, these sons have starring roles as the bad guys. Some were guilty as murderers (34:24-30) and slavers (37:17-28). Leah’s son Judah is the villain in one of the uglier accounts in Scripture (ch. 38).

How like God to bring the Messiah through Leah’s descendants—including Judah. In the most difficult circumstances and through the most unexpected people, God works out redemption.

Donna learned this too. As she faced all her parenting challenges, she never found an answer “except to keep going and keep praying”. And that kid who pushed all her buttons? He’s grown now, and he loves and respects his mum. Looking back, Donna says, “Perhaps he was sent to me to teach me something about myself and something about my God.”

By: Tim Gustafson

Reflect & Pray
Where have you sensed the keenest disappointments in your life? What do you find you’re learning about God through this?

Heavenly Father, please help me to trust You in everything.