Thoughts for Mothers

Thoughts for Mothers
by pamela spurling

These days seem to be packed full of needful things to do. These are days when we all need to evaluate events and categorize them with the questions: Is this important? Is this the most important thing to do right now? Is this something that will be most beneficial to our family? Questions such as these help eliminate the events and activities that are unprofitable. Sometimes simply asking the question: "Is this a ‘good thing’ or is this a ‘best thing’ to do?" will be enough to help you decide whether to do it or eliminate it.

Psalm 127

1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows:
for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but
they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

This was one of the Scripture passages that I shared during a devotional talk I gave at a baby shower this past weekend. I shared with the new mama to be that she would need to depend on the LORD to build her house, that He would be her strength. I acknowledged what others might be saying about a new baby taking her sleep, that she would no longer enjoy a good night’s rest, etc., etc. I told her that the Word tell us that the LORD will give her the sleep she needs and that He will strengthen her to do what He has called her to do. Children are an heritage of the LORD and the fruit of the womb is HIS reward. She is blessed indeed.

Though for many years I didn’t know her name, I have prayed for her time and time again. I prayed that she would walk with the LORD, that she would be solely devoted to Him and would keep His ways. In the last few years I have continued these prayers for her, by name, with her personally in mind. My prayer for her continues to be that she would more and more ---be--- a woman whose worth is far above rubies, that the heart of her husband would safely trust in this woman, that he would praise her and that her children would rise up and call her blessed. This special new mama is my daughter in law.

In addition to some other thoughts I shared that day, I shared that she has embarked on a new path of the journey that is sure to be the most significant of her life. It is the most rewarding, fulfilling and demanding role she will ever know. She will be taken to the heights and to the depths... that she will be taxed and stretched beyond her imagining but there is also no description for the joy that she will know as a mother. She will know love that she has never known, experience emotions that are currently foreign to her. In the end, I believe she will say it was worth it all and will wish she could have done more.

I prayed for her as I pray for each of you mothers, that you will live out motherhood with increasing dependence on the LORD Jesus, with faith, with passion, with tenacity and with strength. The LORD will lead you if you will follow Him. In Isaiah 41.10, we read, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Twenty two years ago I attended a baby shower that was held in honour of our first child... and at that time, I received advice that I likely didn’t understand, didn’t heed, didn’t think I’d need. I’m sure because what I was hearing was so foreign to me and sadly because I thought I knew all I needed to know. I can only trust that the LORD brought to mind that sage advice and that it came back to my remembrance as I *really* needed it and also that He used others to encourage and inspire me along the way. I appreciate encouragement and instruction more and more... especially since it sometimes seems I know less today than I did in those days! ~smile~

When our son Daniel was born, the doctor told me, among other things, to begin to let go... begin to let my baby go... what a ridiculous notion that was to me... Let my baby go??? ---how silly was that advice---I thought at the time---he had no idea what he was talking about---I had no idea what he was talking about! And though he was not a Christian, the advice he was giving me was godly and biblically sound.

You see, as I wrapped that precious baby in his blankets, I didn’t see beyond that time... I didn’t see that I was, in part, responsible for raising a man for the LORD. But over the years, I pondered that statement the doctor had made and as I thought on it, I learned he was right... and here’s what the LORD taught me from that doctor’s statement: I needed to hold my baby with open hands... one to give him back to the LORD and one to be able to receive what the LORD would have for me at the same time.

He was given to the LORD from his birth and committed to Him all the days of his life... Along the way we learned to let go of him bit by bit... I have been thinking over the last several months that my daughter in law will soon see why he was hard to let go of----- to marriage, to a new life... to a life outside of ours. I told her that someday, a beautiful and "awesome" girl will come along and her little boy will no longer need her in the same way... he will no longer depend on her... he will love another woman with his whole heart. I told her this that day... for a reason... not to make her feel badly or awkward, but to assure her that when that time comes she will see that she has done what the LORD has called her to do... she will have raised a man. You see, it seems that we mothers get so caught up in our job---our mission---that we lose sight of the fact that we are not training these children to keep them, we are training them to let them go. O, this is something for which I believe we can never prepare... the letting go. The letting go of our children so that they can go on for the LORD, so that they can do and be what the LORD created them to accomplish. This is the bittersweet of motherhood... the running and running and running---------and letting that kite soar! It’s good, it’s right.... and the tears burn your eyes.

Having many children, I have learned a great deal along the way, I have had more joyful moments than most experience in a lifetime. However, I have also failed more, and had many disappointments and can tell you hundreds of ways things *don’t* work. But what I am sure of ---never change--- trusting in the LORD and walking in His ways... He promises to never leave us nor forsake us; all His ways are good and all His paths are peace. In following Him, you cannot fail. He will strengthen you to do whatever you must. HE will joy over you with singing.

I have found that in pleasing my husband and striving to maintain a godly home, I have experienced great peace and contentment for this is what the LORD has designed for mothers. I can fully trust the LORD knowing He is working all these things together for good. I pray that it would be said of each of us: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (Prov 31.29)

I would encourage you today with this scripture... and prayer for your home... at the closing of that baby shower I prayed that our son and daughter in law would make this the priority of their home, which we strive to make a priority in ours.

Deuteronomy 6

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when
thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down,
and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets
between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deuteronomy 7

11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:
13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

God Bless you as you endeavor to serve Him.