A Heritage, a Reward

Thursday night I attended a mommies discipleship group led by a sweet woman at our new church. She is a mother of four grown children and is following the directive of scripture to teach young moms - see Titus 2. (I hope I can serve the church in this capacity someday; I'm so thankful for her example!)

We're just beginning a discussion of Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. One of the questions after the introduction asks the reader to look at Psalm 127. Verse 3 reads:

Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from Him.

Ah yes, and our minds were filled with dreamy memories of our child's last tantrum and how, as

we sighed,

counted to three,

administered discipline,

we were all the while thanking God for His beautiful gift to us.

No wait. That's not how it went at all!

Sally's question: What does this verse imply about the ministry of motherhood?

Children are a blessing given to us from the Lord.

Yes, they fight, whine, and make demands. But that does not change that God's purposefully given them to us. And so we are called to minister to them. Thankfully our children also make us laugh, awe us with their curiosity, hug us, and readily say both 'I love you' and 'I forgive you.' The road is paved with difficulty and delight.

Sally's question is a good one. What is our attitude toward being moms? Do we think of it as a ministry the Lord has given us? Or are we just hoping we somehow make it to eighteen? Honestly, until encountering Sally's books, I'd never thought about mothering as a ministry.

It's been changing my life and attitude to consider that THIS is the ministry I'm called to prioritize right now.

Yes, there are many good things I could be pursuing, but if I'm neglecting the spiritual nurture of my own children, then all is for nothing. There will be a time in the future when the kids are grown and I will be able to put more time into ministry outside the home. But for now, I will embrace this immense calling and seek the Lord's guidance in it. It is His gift to me, surely He will sustain, lead, and grow me in the process.

Moms, be encouraged today! God knows you and your kids. He chose you for each other. May we throw off everything that hinders and embrace this calling with joy. To God be the glory.