The Purposeful Role Of Motherhood
Some of my fondest memories from my teenage years were sitting at my grandma’s table after school, having a snack, and chatting with her over a hot cup of tea. Looking back, I so cherish those days that I had with her as, sadly, she passed away not long after I finished high school. She was a woman from another generation and time. She didn’t go to work at a 9-5 job; instead, she stayed at home cooking, cleaning, and caring for her family’s needs. She handmade her children’s clothes and kept her garden immaculate. She was a homemaker and a dearly devoted one at that, which is something I will always admire about her. She was always my favourite!
In those daily discussions I had with her, I remember always questioning her about why she wanted to stay home all the time and care for her kids? Hadn’t she ever thought about getting a job once the kids left? Why would you not want more for your life than staying home doing housework all day? I never understood her reasoning and continually told her, “I definitely won’t be like that.” I wanted more for my life: a career, to travel the world, a lifestyle, and a live-in babysitter. (Ha!) As I write this now, I can only have a good chuckle to myself, because boy oh boy, am I eating my words now!
As I look back at what I said all those years ago, I find it amusing how I viewed and interpreted the world around me. I didn’t fully understand what motherhood would really look like for me and how truly rewarding and fulfilling it can be. I have to admit my young, naive, and immature self didn’t really see the purposeful role in being a mother. I didn’t believe that, for me personally, it wasn’t God’s top priority for me in order to do His work in the world.
But as I have become older (and hopefully wiser), I have seen God move in the most unexpected ways in my life. Although there have been things that have taken me by surprise, I am able to see His plans for me far outweigh any that were of my own. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This reminder continually encourages me to understand that, though this wasn’t my plan exactly, God has used it in the best way possible to fulfil His purpose and plan for my life.
There is no denying that, when you enter into a new season of life, changes are going to take place. Just like becoming a new mother, everything that you once knew usually ends up going out the window. Motherhood is an experience like none other. It is challenging and hard work. It will push you to your limits. Our pre-baby lifestyle changes. Our relationship dynamics change. Our interests change. Our consistent sleeping patterns can even become non-existant.
Since all of these new challenges can strip away our old identity markers, it can be easy for us to lose ourselves in who we are and how we feel purposeful in our new role. What we must remember as women of faith, is to first and foremost love God. Matthew 22:37-38 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first greatest commandment.” It is our ultimate purpose to love God, not motherhood. However, it is through our Godly motherhood that we fulfill our purpose in loving and serving Him fully. Maggie Combs states, “Although Godly motherhood is valuable, it is not our purpose. It is not our first calling, but the result of it.”
Our role as a mother is purposeful, and it is important that we don’t compare ourselves to those in different situations. These could be situations where we see other women in successful job positions earning a good wage or those who are out there in the world travelling, working alongside mission and humanitarian organizations. Or it could be women who are running their own businesses that we view as having a purposeful life. These situations can all have a great plan and purpose within them, as God’s work is evident within all types of avenues. But we as mothers must not feel discouraged because motherhood is also a special calling that comes with great meaning and purpose.
As women of God, we are an important part of His plan, and as mothers, we too have a great calling in our lives to fulfil such a role. All throughout Scripture we are able to see mothers who have played a major part in doing God’s work. We are able to identify the mother figure as a crucial part of the family unit, however that family unit may look. As a Christian mother, it is our responsibility to reflect Christlike love onto our children, and to share and teach the ways of the gospel with them in hopes for them to one day grow up and do the same.
Proverbs 22:6 states, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” The influence we as mothers have on our children is one that cannot be measured is vital to their growth. They learn to absorb our examples and attitudes towards honesty, life habits, people, kindness and hard work.
Becoming a mother has without a doubt been the hardest thing I’ve done. Though it may be challenging, I understand that this is a role God has planned out for my life. With all the bumps along the way, I feel rewarded and blessed beyond belief. I am continually learning that, though His purpose for me is to fulfill the calling of being a mother to a beautiful little boy, my identity still lies within the relationship I have with the Lord. And through knowing Him closely and having a personal relationship with Him, motherhood is the natural outflow of us as God’s children: set apart and willing to do His good work.
Mothers and mothers-to-be, remember that you have an important role in being a mother, and with great purpose, there comes great responsibility. Know that God will equip you with the tools you need throughout the journey and that you have the ability to do anything. Remember that though there is purpose in caring and tending to your children's needs, there is a greater purpose behind this. Through motherhood, you will draw closer to God, love Him more, and depend on His faithfulness through each new circumstance you face. And throughout this, the result will be a healthy, happy, and loving family bringing glory to His name.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jacinda has travelled internationally spreading the word of God with her performing arts. She has a continual passion to share hope into a world of hurt and darkness, and through her story of struggle and redemption, prays that others will also come to know Gods amazing love. Jacinda was the founder of the online faith publication 'Hearts of Gold Magazine' and now currently runs the blog 'The Contented Life' (the-contented-life@blogspot.com) - dedicated to all things relating to motherhood. She has a Bachelor in Theology, Diploma in Christian Studies, and a Certificate in Performing Arts. She is now a full-time stay at home mum to a beautiful little boy, currently residing in a small town called Thames, located in the beautiful coromandel of New Zealand.