Monday, May 10, 2021

Lessons From Motherhood

 By: Joanne Viola

 
 
 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.” (Proverbs 31:28, NLT)

Yesterday was Mother’s Day. Perhaps this post should have been written before the day but some days, it takes me a while to process my thoughts and feelings.

I have been blessed with a wonderful mom and there have also been other women who have influenced my life.

When I became a mom for the first time, I can remember so vividly sitting looking at my little one and wondering how on earth I was going to do this thing called “motherhood.” The question that went through my mind was, “What was I thinking?!?!”

We were not sent home with a handbook and even if we had one, nothing could have prepared us for the months of colic.

And here I am to share a few thoughts on motherhood:

  • Being a mom is more that being the one who bears a child and raises them.
  • Motherhood is more than a responsibility – it is a ministry.
  • Motherhood will require work – long hours – less sleep – a tiredness you never expected.
  • Motherhood means sacrifice.

As I look back over the years since becoming a mom, I realize they have been the most rewarding years of my life. I grew up as I grew my children up. They taught me  …

I could not control every situation in life,

I would not be able to supply all their wants and needs,

While I might be able to apply a band-aid, I would not be able to mend every hurt,

The days could be long, and the nights longer,

My selfish heart needed to learn to give and sacrifice of itself.

But perhaps the greatest lesson I learned was how dependent on God I would be each and every day.

“Motherhood is a million little moments that God weaves together with grace, redemption, laughter, tears, and most of all, love,” (Lysa TerKeurst)

“Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.”
(Andy Stanley)

“The process of shaping the child … shapes also the mother herself. Reverence for her sacred burden calls her to all that is pure and good, that she may teach primarily by her own humble, daily example.” (Elisabeth Elliot)

 

What has motherhood taught you?

 

Photo by Dakota Corbin on Unsplash 

 

 

 

 

 

6 comments:

  1. "The process of shaping the child … shapes also the mother herself." So true! I don't think anything else revealed to me my own selfishness and need for God's daily grace and wisdom than motherhood.

    Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day, Joanne!

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    1. Barbara, I think selfishness was a big reveal for me as well. How very grateful I am for His grace and wisdom in navigating motherhood. We had a very nice day, Barbara, and hope you did as well.

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  2. It is true. It shapes me.
    But it was not always a good time for me.

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    1. Aritha, I so agree with you. It may not have been the best of times but it was always for my good. And I am still in process ...

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  3. I remember that jaw-dropping tiredness! Yes - mothering is sacrificial, but, like all things with God - what is giving up to the world God works to grow us into something more than we were. What has motherhood taught me? It has broken my heart for the lost, taught me unconditional love, to lose the judgementalism - and that God's not surprised though I am - and my biggest prayer - I don't know how to help - but God has put all this that is them within them, so He knows how to help in ways that I am not called to. Motherhood can indeed be a miracle grow for the soul!

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    1. Maryleigh, you worded it well(!!) >>> "Motherhood can indeed be a miracle grow for the soul!"

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