Be a Joyful Mother – Even If the Job is Hard (and it is)

Truly there is no greater privilege and joy than being a mom, but with this comes no greater responsibility! 

Motherhood is the hardest, most demanding job in the world! Genesis 3:16 tells us this is one of the consequences of  the original sin  – women will have much pain in having children –  I don’t think it means just in child birth – it is a never ending life of pain in one way or another – sometimes physically and sometimes emotionally.

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children;”

Ok, so we have established motherhood is hard.  But what do you do? Once you have taken the position, it is not a job you can quit – no, but –

  • You can quit saying it is hard
  • You can quit complaining
  • You can quit having a sour disposition
  • You can quit being negative
  • You can quit losing your patience
  • You can quit doing it alone

But how do we accept the most demanding job in the world without complaining?  The answer – we don’t have to do it – God promises to do it through you!!  He has not left you alone to accomplish this sometimes seemingly impossible task.

1 Thes. 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

That’s right!! –  God has promised to mother through you. Realize that the One who gave you the job is faithful and will do it.  Wow – Does any other boss offer you a deal like that?!  🙂

It would be helpful to memorize that scripture and claim it often – that’s what has gotten me through 37 years so far of motherhood!!  

Here are other scriptures to memorize and think on when you are feeling overwhelmed with your motherly tasks:

  • Exodus 33:14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 
  •  Psalm 94:13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. (rest means power to calm myself)
  •  Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. 
  •  Psalm 131:2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
  •  Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,  Because he trusts in You. 
  •  Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 
  • Col. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 
  •  2 Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 
  •  Philip. 2:17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 
  •  Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;  no shadow of shame will darken their faces.  

So Moms – doers of the hardest job in the world – look to God and radiate with joy  – be glad and rejoice – because God has trusted you with the greatest privilege in the world – you get to mold, love, and be loved by His little children  –  don’t miss a moment of it!!!!

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.”

 

This post was inspired by the following two posts..  Please read them:

Stop Saying Being a Mom is Hard 

Why Being a Mom Isn’t Hard

 

 

 

 

 

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Learn from Susanna Wesley

No study of great moms in history would be complete without looking at the life of Susanna Wesley.  Susanna Wesley had 15 children and spent an hour a week with each child individually, helping he or she to be totally submitted to God.

When she was asked about her method of preparing her children for spiritual maturity she replied:

“No one can, without renouncing the world, in the most literal sense, observe my method; and there are few, if any, that would entirely devote above twenty years of the prime of life in hopes to save the souls of their children, which they think may be saved without so much ado; for that was my principal intention, however unskillfully and unsuccessfully managed.” 

Here are some of her methods:

16 Rules of Susanna Wesley

1. Eating between meals not allowed. (3 meals a day – no snacks)

2. As children they are to be in bed by 8 p.m. (starting with the youngest)

3. They are required to take medicine without complaining. (although they did throw up)

4. Subdue self-will in a child, and those working together with God to save the child’s soul. (main point)

5. To teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak. (Lord’s Prayer twice daily – then others)

6. Require all to be still during Family Worship.

7. Give them nothing that they cry for, and only that when asked for politely. (No crying – odious sound – strictly enforced)

8. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented of. (one child trouble, rest readily honest)

9. Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished. (willful disobedience or wrongdoing)

10. Teach children to fear the rod. (spanked them early – not necessary later)

11. Never punish a child twice for a single offense. (once dealt with never mentioned again)

12. Comment and reward good behavior. (this freely and positively done)

13. Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed, should be commended. (good job – great try)

14. Preserve property rights, even in the smallest matters. (even to a pin, give something away not yours)

15. Strictly observe all promises. (Hers and others)

16. Require no daughter to work before she can read well. (taught Latin, Greek, all subjects – then duties – Education 6 hours a day for 5 years old and up Read more about Susanna in the book, Susanna: Mother of the Wesleys

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