a decade of motherhood
My oldest son just turned 10.
I feel intuitevely that we are entering a new season and my heart is not ready. Then again, it’s never quite ready for what’s coming next. Time is fleeting and our life is packed full and feels as if someone is pressing fast forward on a remote that I have no control of.
These thoughts have been whirling around in my heart and mind for a few months anticipating this milestone birthday and I wanted to share a few things that motherhood has taught me.
These possibly may seem like no brainers, but perhaps we’ll find comfort in being reminded that we are not alone in this sanctifying journey of being a mother.
1. Motherhood is sacrifice.
I can think of very few things that require us to actively live out the gospel in such real and tangible ways as being a mother. To pick up our cross daily and set aside any sin and selfishness for the greater good of our children and family. It’s thousands of moments of doing the right and hard thing when no one is watching. Motherhood showcases all of my imperfections and illuminates my daily need for God’s grace.
2. Motherhood is nothing like what I envisioned.
And I thank God for that! It has required me to dig deeper than I ever knew possible to find joy in chaos, patience beyond my human capacity, and peace that passes circumstances. It requires me to trade control for faith and to hold boundaries firm at the cost of personal pain or being misunderstood by others. Once I learned to view motherhood through a spiritual lens, it’s everything I didn’t know that I needed.
3. Joy in motherhood is found in the monotiny.
I finally learned to slow down after having my last son which is ironic because life is moving faster than ever with three children. However, I know how quickly time moves and I have learned to appreciate every piece of it. The moments that I adore are bedtime stories and baths. It’s the good morning hugs and prayers in the car at school dropoff. It’s folding laundry while they are doing homework. After all, the ordinary days and sometimes mundane routines are what make up our lives. Motherhood is full of abounding joy if we allow God to teach us how to see it.
4. Motherhood is a blessing, not a burden.
The busyness is hard. The noise is hard. The constant work is hard. Yet, I know that missing these days will also be hard. Nothing worthwhile in life comes easy. We get the privilege of being their first example for almost everything in life. We get to point them to Jesus through our everyday words, choices, and actions. Our kids lives are fully known by God but are being revealed to us day by day.
It’s life’s greatest honor that God chose us to be woven into the story of their lives.
Ultimately, I have learned in the past 10 years of motherhood that:
As I pour out, God refills my cup.
As I give, God gives back exceedingly.
As I surrender, God supplies all my needs.
On this journey with you,
Rachel