To Mothers
Before I even begin penning the words that God has given me, let me start by saying HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all of you Mama Bears out there! Whether you had your kids naturally, they were bonus kids, or you’ve been the mother figure in their lives, here’s to you! Even if no one has told you today, you’re awesome and you’re doing an amazing job!
Now, onto the “penning.”
Being a Mama is a job unlike any other! We work tirelessly to make sure our kiddos are taken care of. As a friend of mine just joked “We work from son up to son down.” No matter if you’re a boy mom, a girl mom, or a mom of both, this statement rings true! Most of the time we are the ones who bare the mental burden of making sure every one has what they need, are where they need to be, and are prepared for whatever may come. We’re usually the ones who are up in the middle of this night with sick kiddos, or up early to pack lunches! It seems like our work is never ending, and even when we sit down to relax, our mind still runs wild with all of the things we need to do to provide and care. Sometimes, though, this mental burden and need to make sure every thing is in order can feel alienating and lonely but, my friend, it doesn’t have to feel this way!
I felt like God wanted me to remind you that, even on the hardest days, even when you feel mostly alone, you’re not. God is with you! He is walking beside you, holding your hand. He is with you in the dark of nights when you’re cuddling your fussy babies. He is with you when you’re cleaning up what feels like the millionth vomit of the night. He’s even with you when you’re seasons of motherhood are changing. Sweet Mama, you are NEVER alone! My pastor shares this saying every year and it just continues to hit home each time. He said “Often times it seems like men go to the mountaintops to meet with God. God, however, comes and meets women where they are.” How true is this? I think of the Woman at the Well. Of Mary Magdalene. Of Mary the Mother of Jesus and Rahab. God met them right where they were and worked in their lives right there. My friend, he will do the same for you! God will come down and commune with us right in the trenches! Don’t let the devil swoop in and give you doubt and fear. God is always near! There is no trench of motherhood too deep for him to reach!
I also wanted to remind you that your work matters! Nothing you do in motherhood is insignificant! Even if your job today has just been to clean little faces and feed the hungry bears, or merely managing chaos, what you do matters! Our home is our greatest mission field! We rarely know if the kiddos we are raising today are tomorrow’s greatest men and women of God. We may be raising up the next great evangelists or even a great prayer warrior. But, rest assured. What you do today helps build the character for who they will be tomorrow! So, even amidst the chaos when we feel like we’ve done nothing special, it counts. You matter. The work you do will impact generations to come! I recently listened to an amazing podcast from Coffee and Crumbs that reiterates this fact. If you’re a podcast listener, or even just need to be reminded that your work isn’t in vain, give it a go! It is from Season 8, episode 9 (Does This Even Matter?)
I know this post hasn’t been full of poetic words or even beautifully written prose. This is raw feeling and emotion from one momma in the trenches to another. I want you to know that I love you, your kids love you, Jesus loves you, and you are doing an amazing job! YOU MATTER!
In His name
Heart & Home