Motherhood changes you. It helps sanctify as you see your selfishness and slowly learn to sacrifice your wants for someone else’s needs.
Sometimes it’s hard. You quickly see how inadequate you are. Giving, giving, and repeatedly coming to Christ with empty hands, humbly asking for strength to keep giving. But I love this beautiful gift. It is easy to sacrifice when you remember sacrifice is a big part of being a mother.
Most often, mothers are called to quietly stand behind our children. We are rarely in the spotlight. We plant, weed, and water so our kids can grow. It’s hard work. But if we’re faithful, it is blessed work. This is what it means to be a mother.
Motherhood is patient work. There is not always a quick return of gratitude for our labors. Sometimes we nurture and wait to see the fruits. But we wait close to God’s heart, praying fervently for the children He has given us to care for.
We may not have much time for ourselves. We may at times feel overlooked and overwhelmed. But just as sticky hands spill food on our clean floors, so those same sticky hands wrap around our necks with hugs and I love you’s. This is why we choose to mother.
It isn’t always glamorous, but it is always good for us. We do not always get it right, but there is always grace.
Motherhood is a God-ordained ministry. A calling. When we keep that in mind, we can point our kids to Christ even in the messy, trying, uncertain parts of motherhood. We can look to Christ for how to do our job, and trust our children to His loving, Sovereign care.
We thank Him for this gift. We enjoy the moments that make motherhood special. We catch glimpses of who God is shaping our children to be and we marvel that He uses us for this process.
We press on in loving with every fiber of our being, and feel that love around us, emanating from our Father who taught us how.
This is what it means to be a mother.
© Grace Baeten 2022
The Misplaced Mom 
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