The Gift of Motherhood

What gives you great joy as a mother? When your child does very well in school and life? When you are able to give your best to your child? When your child shows you appreciation with hugs and kisses? When you get a whole night’s sleep, or some “me-time” in the middle of the day? When your child says The Sinner’s Prayer? When your child is all grown up and married? When others come to you for parenting advice?

How about when you see yourself growing as a person, as a daughter of God, through motherhood?

Look back on your journey as a mother. Rather than count the number of times you’ve failed, or the number of times you felt accomplished, count the number of ways you’ve grown in Christlikeness. How have you grown in your capacity to love your husband when he falls short of your expectations, to have joy in suffering endless housework, to have peace when your child is sick, to be kind when hurt by criticism from fellow mothers, to do good when it does not benefit you, to be faithful when tempted to give up, to be gentle in the face of screaming kids, to be self-controlled when sleep deprived?

My dear sisters, motherhood is one of God’s gift to you! Yes, children are God’s gift, but so is motherhood. It is His gift to prune you, to help you grow as His daughter, and make you more and more beautiful in His sight. Yes, your physical shape has evolved over the years, so has the number of grey hair and size of eye bags. But you are gorgeous in His sight, because of what He has been doing in your soul. As Hebrews 12:10-11 assures us, “He disciplines (or prunes) us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Mothers, nothing you go through is wasted. Whether you are a working mom or homemaker, whether you have dependent toddlers or children who are differently abled, whether you have been able to serve in church or have to sit out of all activities, everything, every obedience to Him, every pain and joy, is precious in His sight. Press on my sisters, by the grace of God, and allow the Lord to mold you through motherhood.

“You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you have been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.” Charles Surgeon

Pastoral Associate Grace Gan