A friend from college recently asked me for my address. I wasn’t really sure why, but I gave it to her and didn’t really think much of it. About a week later, a small packaged arrived. It contained a very sweet and encouraging card that came at the perfect time. It also contained this book. I could NOT wait to dig in, but was only one week away from moving and had a to-do list a mile long. I packed it away where I could easily find it once we got to Oklahoma. I finally pulled it out and started reading.
“In the daily (and nightly) work of mothering, we’re given dozens of invitations to worship God as he reminds us of the hope we have because of his gospel… The ministry of the Holy Spirit includes bringing our subjective insecurities as mothers in line with the objective reality of our eternal security in Christ. As mothers, we need to train ourselves to focus on the things that are unseen and eternal (2 Cor. 4:18).” –Gloria Furman
We are given dozens of invitations to worship. Oh, man. This stopped me in my tracks. But, motherhood is so mundane. Sure, it is full of blessings and joy, but the daily tasks are mundane. I said before that I was feeling weary. Oh, man, have I been weary. I have been questioning if I am even cut out for this stay-at-home mom business. What is God doing with me? Why can’t I have more opportunities to serve Him? I feel like I am doing NOTHING for Him.
Hold it right there, mamas. I know that I am not the only one feeling these things. Look at your children. Really, stop and look. God gave them to YOU. He choose YOU to be their mama. He choose you to lead them and train them and teach them about Him. Those hearts are your responsibility to guide towards Jesus. What better opportunity to serve Him?! We have a great responsibility and gift. We can affect eternity right here at home.
We have every opportunity to worship. I have a pile mountain of laundry on my chair. Praise God, my family has plenty of clothes to wear to keep them warm. I just did a pile of dishes this morning. Praise God, we have FOOD to fill our bellies and dishes to eat them on. I bathed my three little girls this morning. Praise God, we have CLEAN running water. Praise God, I have a functioning coffee maker and plenty of delicious creamer.
It is so easy to get caught up in how mundane and frustrating motherhood can be. I am the guiltiest of all right now. But, it is a gift. It is a beautiful, wonderful gift. That is not to say that every day will be rainbows and sunshine. Many days are difficult. Dig through the difficulty and remind yourself of what a gift God has given to you; to us!
1 Thessalonians 4:11
