As Mallory is getting older, the weight of the responsibility I have as her mom is beginning to weigh heavily on my shoulders. I feel that she's at an easy stage right now; she doesn't know how to reason between right and wrong, her favorite toys are her feet, and she's content knowing that mommy and daddy will play and feed her. Through my time at Desiring God Community Church, I have been so thankful to the Lord for putting godly mothers around me so I could have current examples of how moms rear their children in Christ. I've gleaned so many ideas from Kelly, Nicole, Beth, Joy, and others and I thank you all for sharing your lives with me!
In addition to their examples, I've enjoyed reading The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. This book has been such an encouragement to me and impresses the truth that the role I have in laying a Christ-centered foundation in my child's life is my greatest mission right now. I am over half way done with the book and I'm looking forward to finishing it soon! I found this book at a bargain sale in Pigeon Forge, TN when I was about 7 months pregnant. I knew nothing about the book and bought it because it was a great price and I didn't have any sort of parenting book. I'm glad I bought it!
I struggle with selfish motives daily when it comes to my time and actions. I find myself getting frustrated when Mallory wakes up from a nap and I'm doing something else I haven't finished yet that I need to get done. I also find myself grumbling over laundry, cooking, cleaning, and running errands. I have also noticed a "what's in it for me" attitude. I'm ashamed of how selfish I've become! The Lord reminds me of His blessings, though. What a joy it is to be able to stay at home with my child! What a joy it is to prepare my home for my husband! What a joy it is to serve the Lord through being a mother and wife without the distraction of a corporate job! God is good and I'm so thankful for this mission He's given me.
6 comments:
We share the same struggles, Melanie! Staying at home requires so much SELF-discipline, because there is nobody around to impose a schedule on you!
He who began a good work [sanctification] in you will be faithful to complete it.
Elisabeth Elliot's radio program was something I always listened to when my children were younger. I wish she was still on. Her frequent reminders that being a mother at home means daily dying to self in order to love and serve God and the children he entrusted to me helped me keep my focus in the right place...off myself and on Him alone! "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Praise God that he is the one who lives in us, daily strengthening and supplying all we need to minister to the precious gifts he's given us and helping us to battle the temptations to selfishness, self pity, and discontent. May he strengthen you each day. I so much appreciate your earnest desire to glorify God as a wife and mother, Melanie. I'll be praying for you.
I can SOOOOOOO relate! When Emma was 10 months old, my parents came to visit and my mom helped me get some big jobs done that were weighing on me. I just couldn't get past those "big" jobs to get the little ones done. Prior to that visit, I COULD NOT get into a routine of getting things done! Since July, I've been much more focused and able to be a little less distracted.
I still sometimes feel frustrated when Emma doesn't nap as long as I'd hoped, but then I remember that God's Grace is sufficient even for me and that whatever I was doing can and will wait. It will still be there when she takes her next nap, even if it is the next day! :)
When I find myself asking "what's in it for me?", I remember that "what's in it for me" is the glory that God gleens from my doing the work He's called me to do. And what a glorious work it is!! One day a few weeks ago, I was literally on the bathroom floor scrubbing and I thought to myself how thankful I was to be there. What a blessing to be at home scrubbing my bathroom floor, waiting for the most precious gift God has ever given me to wake up from her nap! I was SO very thankful to FINALLY feel thankful!
So, be encouraged my dear friend! God work in and through us, despite our shortcomings! Praise Him for that, for if it weren't for Him, where would I be???
I love you sweet friend and miss you guys lots!
I've been reading A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George and am loving it. It seems to be hitting so many areas of my life as wife and mom. I started thinking about all of this a couple months ago after reading an article you had posted--I think it was called The High Calling of a Wife and Mother. The article has changed the direction of my life here in China and the book is really solidifying a lot of truths for me. If you haven't already read it, I think you would really enjoy it!
I've been reading A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George and am loving it. It seems to be hitting so many areas of my life as wife and mom. I started thinking about all of this a couple months ago after reading an article you had posted--I think it was called The High Calling of a Wife and Mother. The article has changed the direction of my life here in China and the book is really solidifying a lot of truths for me. If you haven't already read it, I think you would really enjoy it!
Michelle - I have read that book. I'm glad you took the time to read that article, too. It does have so many life-changing truths!
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