The Being and Doing of Motherhood

Here's a devotional thought I wrote for a thing for church....

In this process of mothering, it is easy for me to get off track. I focus on the DOING of motherhood and forget about the BEING a mother. As a mom, I understand the “DO” of motherhood …endless cycles of laundry, dishes, pushing the swing, vacuuming, preparing meals, errand running, boo-boo kissing, groceries, reading their favorite book (again), and well, the list could go on (and on!). Not that these are bad things at all. But, it is easy to associate your worth by how many things you checked off your day’s list. These are tangible ways to measure your days. However, I have found that simply doing the tasks at hand will inevitably cause “mommy burnout” and cheats my family. I wonder how many of you also get caught in this.

I am learning that I can DO all the things that great moms do, but still be lacking unless I can BE the woman God calls me to be. Not through phony facades for the child’s benefit, as they will surely see through it. But, I am the woman and mother God calls me to be only when I am seeking a growing and personal relationship with Him. Daily reading His word. A prayerful heart. Connected in worship with other believers. Powerful parenting takes place when the BEING and DOING are intertwined. Our daily activities of motherhood should flow out of being first connected with God. What does this look like in my life? Asking God for patience and wisdom when my son disobeys. Caring less about how the house looks when company is coming, and more about singing another round of “Five Little Monkeys”. Having a humble spirit to repent to when I am short with him. Taking walks and showing all the things that the Lord created. And during bath time, teaching how Jesus washes away all the dirt in our hearts. It is my prayer that my son will not remember the piles of laundry, but will later remember his childhood with a mom that loved Jesus and spent time showing it. I’m working on it.