The Holy Work of Motherhood

It was a Thursday evening and I had my focus set on accomplishing a bunch of content planning for the new year. My husband had to leave for a meeting after the kids were (supposed) to be in bed and as I was settled at the table in the living room, determined to stay on task. I could hear the kids ask if I was coming to sit with them.

My intentions were to work through their bedtime but I remembered the boys weren’t going to be home the following night since we had planned a sleep over with their Aunt. I pressed pause on what I was doing and went to sit with my youngest.

When I walked into the room he let out a joy filled ‘Yay, Mom!’ and he excitedly pulled himself closer to me as I sat on the edge of his mattress.

Bedtime did not go as I imagined (or hoped for). Typically I sing some specifically chosen songs by my youngest and then I rub his back until he falls asleep. On average is takes a mere 60seconds once he has a very specific yawn. Of course, that was not the case on this night.

My husband had to leave and I was left with one chatty three year old who kept wanting to ask one more question, who was thirsty and suddenly complaining of a sore belly. I patiently told him he needed to close his eyes and go to sleep.

About twenty minutes into his tossing and turning, rubbing his face and opening and closing his eyes I was about to say you only have a few minutes because I need to get back to my work . . . but the Lord stopped me and said — this is the work.

As I stared at the flawless face of my son, I realized that moment, that what I was doing was the best place to be pouringly energy into and everything else could wait.

Once he fell asleep and I got my oldest settled with the dog, a hug and a kiss, I tip toed over to my room and curled up in my bed to get some more work done. Shortly after I finished everything I had wanted to get done, my youngest woke up crying because he had had an accident and his tummy was still hurting.

After I got him cleaned up, he wanted me to go and lay with him in his bed. My husband (who was now home) felt bad because he wanted me to get some sleep but I told him it was okay. As I went back into my son’s room, pulled the blankets up over his small body and rubbed his back once more, I stared at him again and thought to myself: This is holy work.

And this is the reminder I want to not only preach to myself, but also share with you:

Through the everyday monotony of picking up and putting away and the ordinary (seemingly meaningless) tasks of folding laundry, making beds, brushing teeth and cleaning the house; God is doing a holy work in your heart because you are not perfect, nor will you ever be; and that’s okay because you have been entrusted with this beautiful task of Motherhood by your perfect Father in Heaven who will use your imperfections to bring glory and honour to His name.

You have been chosen, handpicked by God, to care for the young one(s) in your home. Whether by blood or through adoption or fostering, these precious ones have been placed into your care on purpose. Your personality, your characteristics, your strengths, your weaknesses, your successes, and your failures are all needed to shape these tiny hearts into the people they were destined to be.

Embrace the holy work of motherhood and know that . . .

Every time you pick up a toy, God is purifying you.

Every piece of clothing you fold, God is refining you.

Every meal you prep and cook, God is sanctifying you.

And He will bring to completion the work He has started in you.

Keep pressing forward on the difficult days.

Cling to the quiet beautiful moments.

Don’t let go when it becomes overwhelming.

Breath in the wonder of it all.

And remember: You’re job isn’t to be perfect —

Your job is the sacred tending of precious souls.

Your job is the sacrificial act of putting another first.

Your job is the holy work of surrender, continually pointing those young hearts to your Perfect Father in Heaven, who knit you together in the darkness of your mother’s womb, fashioning you into the remarkable, wonderful and precious woman you are right now.

And you have been chosen by God to tend to the holy work of motherhood.

Love, your sister in Christ - Krista

Thanks so much for reading along, if this post encouraged or blessed you in any way would you share it with a friend or post it to your socials? You never know who else this might help! 🤍

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Faithful Motherhood

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