Sometimes I struggle with being a mom. I have had to give up so much to take care of these four little children. I gave up my career as a teacher and coach. I gave up control of my body when I got pregnant…again and again and again. Most days I give up eating a peaceful meal at any of the three meal times. I have given up sleep, food (it gets nibbled right off my plate), money, peace of mind, time to myself, the hopes of ever having an hour to blow dry and straighten my hair without bloodshed, and the list goes on and on. Sometimes I feel like I have given up my very life for these kids! My whole entire life! Who I am, what I want, what I will be, all for these little ones growing in my home.
You know, believe it or not, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love giving these things up for them (most of the time). Actually, in giving all these things up for my family, I have found my truest self. There will be other jobs in the future, but the most important one, the one that created my defining moment of self, was motherhood. My highest calling in life is to be a godly wife and mother who will raise up godly men and women for this next generation. This is my one job that I know is of an eternal nature. My sole prayer, above all others, is that my kids will love the Lord, their God, with all their heart, soul and strength. Nothing else really matters if they can do that. Nothing I have given up even comes close.
Sunday David started a new series called “Prodigal God.” His talk was about the parable of the prodigal son and what it meant exactly to have been the father of that son. I have heard that story many times growing up, but I never fully realized that when the son asked for his inheritance, the father gave him his “life.” It is interesting that Jesus used that word. In light of scripture it fits perfectly, but because my translation did not translate the word “life,” I never got the full understanding of what the father gave. That father gave up his land, his livelihood, his reputation, his future, his honor, his LIFE, to allow his son to exercise his freewill. I imagine the father did it willingly.
I am so grateful God does the same thing for us. He gives us his LIFE: His only begotten son, so that we might have eternal life through Christ (John 3:16). He allows us to choose, to have freewill, with the hopes that we too will realize we have it far better with Him, than anywhere we can go on our own. Thank you Lord, for giving your Life, your Son, for us!
July 11th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Anne,
Dawn
I’m not a blogger but I found your site while checking to see if my daughter, Meredith, had shared any recent thoughts. Wow, “life sacrificed” definately spoke to me. With Meredith now married and Alyssa engaged and Blair in the middle of her high school years, I’ve been thinking a lot about the days when I was home with 3 little girls.
Some days were so consumed by taking care of them. Other days were filled with fun things like going to the pool or park or whatever I could think of that would entertain us all. I loved those days. I didn’t want anyone else to talk to them when they were afraid of hold them when they had a fever and the list goes on. I wanted to be the one to do those things. I have to mention their dad here because he was my greatest supporter as a stay at home mom and I’m thankful for him and his encouraging words through those years. I’m also thankful for our church and how God provided us with a place that would come along beside Rob and myself and teach our daughters about His love.
Now I’m in a different stage in life and though I’m not tucking little girls into bed or bathing them or feeding them or, well you get the picture, I’m still taking care of them by lifting them up in prayer and asking God to meet their needs because truly only He can.
Anne, you’re an awesome mom! Keep up the good work
July 12th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Wow! Thanks Dawn. I hope and pray that my kids will grow up and choose to be Godly adults, like your kids have. Thanks for the encouragement.
-Anne
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
What a powerful post, thank you