“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
How many diapers do you change in a day? How often do you wipe runny noses? How many loads of laundry do you do each week?
“Mommy, can I have a snack?”
“Mommy, I need to go potty.”
“Mommy, he hit me!”
Is this your life? It’s pretty close to mine. Motherhood is a seemingly endless cycle of childcare, doctoring, training, cleaning and feeding. Rarely is there any reward for your work. Except for the occasional smiles, hugs, and kisses, it’s a tedious job with no end in sight.
Does any of this effort matter? All these loads of laundry we do and all those snacks we hand out, none of it seems to change the world in any way. At the end of the day, it doesn’t seem like anything grand has been accomplished.
Take a deep breath. Don’t despair. Scripture says our labor is not in vain. Motherhood is a ministry done at the pace of a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a long-term commitment of faithful service in the investment of our children’s hearts.
Children are precious in the sight of God. He sees our work, the sacrifices made for our children, and it pleases Him. Mothers live out their faith by investing in the eternal souls He’s placed in their care. Every diaper that’s changed, every nose that’s wiped, and every load of laundry that’s cleaned, is done for the honor and glory of God.
Don’t give up. Continue on the path He’s laid out for you. Mothering can be a lonely job, but you are not alone. The Spirit is there and He will strengthen you to continue to love and serve your family. Keep walking forward, one step at a time, trusting in the Lord’s promises. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
For further reading: Psalm 118, 1 Peter 1:13, Deuteronomy 6:1-9, James 1:12, Proverbs 31
Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved
Oh wow…
This really, really resonated with me…
Because I hear all of those things… ALL THE TIME!!!
Thank you, sweet friend! This was just what I needed today.