Motherhood is such an amazing gift from God. He has given us opportunities and privileges as moms that no one else will have. But Motherhood is also an adventure. Sometimes motherhood is so exciting you cannot take it all in. Sometimes it is so mundane that you cannot believe the minute hand has only moved 5 times.
So how do we remain faithful as a mom? Does our mothering really matter?
I was asking these same questions until one day a couple of weeks ago when it all “clicked” for me. Let me start at the beginning.
It was a normal Thursday.
I woke up rather perturbed due to the multiple toddler awakenings that ended with a sleepy head on my arm in my bed for most of the night.
The morning went okay. We ate breakfast, played with toys, let fresh air in from our balcony.
Nap time was not really okay. My toddler finally went to sleep after over an hour of fussing. I was ready for a nap myself! Instead, I chose to sit on the couch and scroll through my phone.
Just as I started the scroll, my baby woke up. She walked out of the room crying, “Mama!” She crawled up into my lap, laid her head back on my right arm, and fell asleep.
Well, at this point I was upset.
I was so ready for a break from being “Mama,” even if it was just for a few minutes while she napped.
Thankfully, my Bible was sitting right next to me on the couch (I don’t know why I didn’t read it before when I chose to look at my phone). I opened up to my reading plan and decided to read the Scripture chosen for that day: 2 Timothy. I mean reading the Bible could only help my attitude, right?
Before I got very far I was already encouraged. Second Timothy 1:5 says, “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in our grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
Paul knew of Timothy’s faith because of his mother! Well, all my selfish thoughts of “I deserve this, I’ve earned that, I need a break,” immediately faded away when I read that verse.
Timothy was a man of God.
He was a pastor who joined Paul on some of his journeys. And this verse is a testament to his mother, and grandmother, who poured their lives and their faith into Timothy.
I am sure that when Timothy was little there were rough days for Eunice too. She may have felt just like me. Imagine Timothy giving her a hard day and she sat down on her couch (floor?) and felt like she deserved more, like her motherhood didn’t matter all that much. But, she obviously didn’t give up! This verse is proof that she faithfully raised Timothy in a way that Paul recognized his love for the Lord and his true faithfulness.
That was encouragement enough for me that what I am doing on a daily basis matters. In a few years, our babies and toddlers will grow up to be adults. And I don’t know about you, but I want my child/children to grow up and be adults who love Jesus and are faithful to Him!
During these trying days with littles around your feet, in your lap, at your breast, during my “normal” Thursday, it is far too easy to think that what you are doing doesn’t amount to much. But we have such opportunity, and privilege, to pour into our littles ones and train them to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Our motherhood does matter!
So, Mama, Be Faithful.
When you’ve had a rough morning. When things don’t go as planned. When you’ve had it and you just want a break. When you have put the same puzzle together for the 10th time. Be faithful.
Remember that you are a beacon of God’s faithfulness to your child. When you are faithful to clean up the toys, wash the dishes, kiss the scrapes and bruises, read the books, tidy the house, discipline the bad attitude, hug the hurt, and vacuum the floor, you are reflecting God’s faithfulness.
I pray that our faithful motherhood would reflect God’s character in such a way that our children will grow to have that same sincere faith as Timothy.
“Father, give us Your faithfulness to face the tasks of our days with hope and excitement. May we ever point our children to You, their great, faithful God.”
Related Posts:
Excellence in Motherhood Even When You’re Tired
The Last Time Your Nursed | God’s Love For Us
How to Read Your Bible as a Busy Mom
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