I adore my son. And I adore the privilege of being his mum. Ironically, I don’t always enjoy talking or writing about motherhood. Often, I feel exhausted by motherhood social media influencers who focus primarily on creating a surface-level ‘good life’ – schedules, birth stories, meal plans and more. When motherhood is hard, maybe I feel inadequate? Maybe the same sort of birth story is repeated or superficial products recommend? Maybe western society’s formulaic approach to motherhood’s feels irrelevant to the deep hunger in my soul for more.
There’s an e-book, a course, a book for any problem you might face in motherhood. While good (and often helpful!) these things often place dependancy on the product, the schedule, the recommendations instead of a dependancy in God. God calls us higher still: He calls us to Himself, to seek first the Kingdom of God and to lay down our lives.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
To set the mind on the flesh is death. Paul knows how to slice an onion of a sentence and deliver it well. These truths sting. To the young mother, setting our minds on the perfect birth plan, the much-needed baby product or whether or not your breastfeed – these things ultimately will not bring true life and peace.
When motherhood is hard; through sleepless nights, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding journeys, toddler difficulties, our present sufferings are not worth comparing (Romas 8:16) Allow your heart to be undone and imagine standing before the throne of God, worshipping Him for eternity. Our lives today should be more about accepting, hearing and obeying God (Mark 4) than keeping up-to-date with the latest motherhood trends.
God is our Soul’s Provider when Motherhood is Hard
My time is the Lord’s.
My life is the Lord’s.
My children are the Lord’s.
Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them! Know that whatever you are doing for your family, in fear of the Lord, He will direct your steps. We are part of God’s Kingdom, and His call on each of our lives is unique.
Feast in His Presence
Today is enough. Do the next right thing (as Elisabeth Elliot wisely says). Put God first: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. As we begin unravelling our souls before God’s throne, we depend on His strength and become more dependant on Him each day.
Hard days, weak moments, sleepless nights – beautiful because our dependancy on God is greater. He makes the broken places beautiful. He places purpose in our hearts. He gives us a hope and a future, one that is beyond our calling as mothers, wives, sisters and friends. We are part of the Kingdom of God. Put aside any worries, throw your cares on Him: He cares for you.
He delights in us. He calls us His children. We are part of His great, glorious and good plan.
When Motherhood is Hard, Embrace Imperfection
Take and make the mess
into something new:
To see the world through his little eyes again
no fears, all joy bubbling up deep –
eyes wide, soul open to wonder.
As we set our mind on Christ, he fills us with his peace, and that makes having fun, getting messy, building dreams and treasuring this life God has given us with our children all the more a blessing and privilege!
You may also enjoy:
Swallowed into Silence: The Importance of Rest
Delighting in God, an Antidote to Controlling my Simple Life
“To set the mind on the flesh is death. Paul knows how to slice an onion of a sentence and deliver it well. These truths sting.” What a great reminder that there could be a “solution” for almost everything these days, but only God knows the full truth, the real deal. And we get to put our trust in Him every day – what a beautiful thing!
Wow – thank you – powerful encouragement. Indeed, the most beautiful thing to put our trust in Him!