Deep in the woods, with the quiet hum of a nearby railroad track, The Petersens’ rendition of Merle Haggard’s classic ‘Mama Tried’ echoed through the trees like a heartfelt prayer. The Petersons family knows how to raise them right when it comes to strumming the guitar or singing alto. If you haven’t had the fun of seeing The Peterson’s live from Branson, Missouri, you will be delighted with this video! They turned Merle Haggard’s classic into a love song for every mother’s tireless devotion. Watching Karen Petersen, the band’s bassist and beloved mom, pour her heart into the performance felt like witnessing the heartbeat of motherhood itself—steadfast, unshakable, and full of grace. And isn’t that the truth of raising kids? We try!

Here’s the thing about being a mom: it’s a mix of grit, grace, and a whole lot of hoping for the best. We pray over scraped knees, lecture about homework deadlines, and dole out tough love like it’s our job (because it is). Yet somehow, when the world feels wild and uncertain, we still try to anchor our kids with love and a solid foundation with a whole lot of Jesus. We try—sometimes through gritted teeth and with a messy bun perched on top of our heads—but we do it because we believe in them.

The Petersens' voices carried the kind of warmth that makes you believe, even in the chaos, that all our trying isn’t in vain. So, to every mama out there who feels like she’s spinning plates, take heart. The love you pour into your kids echoes longer and louder than you think. As a mom to three, with two living out in the big, wild world, keep trying! I promise the best is yet to come. In the meantime, enjoy the encouragement of The Petersens’ music, and let their harmonies remind you of the beauty in the trying. After all, raising kids might just be the greatest song we’ll ever sing.

Proverbs 22:6 "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it."