We all know how difficult it can be to have the right attitude every single morning as we face the challenges of motherhood that have been set before us. It can even be easy to sometimes question God's wisdom in sending these lives into your earthly care. But when doubt invades, we must search for the truth - HIS truth!
The first verse that comes to mind when questioning my ability to complete the job to which Jesus has called me is Luke 1:38 "I am the Lord's servant....May it be to me as you have said." Mary faithfully accepted her calling and moved forward in faith. We must do the same!
Have you ever thought how amazing it truly is that you have been called to raise your children for Jesus? The Lord has truly called you to a ministry! It’s such an honor that God would choose you to have such great influence over these precious lives. You have a chance to be the potter, working under the Master Potter Himself! You have been chosen to help mold these children. Wow, chosen by the Lord for such a special, unique and high calling - molding the next generation for HIM!
I recently read the first two chapters of a great book called "Spiritual Mothering," by Susan Hunt. It's based on Titus 2 and I'll quote some from that book. The second chapter was on the obedience and faith of Mary. Wow, did it ever open my eyes!
Let's look a little closer at Mary (not that we should hold her any higher than Jesus Himself, but she is a wonderful example of servitude). Mary was intent on glorifying God, no matter what. She responded to a great calling, which would cause heartache, strife, stress and ridicule, with a faith-like attitude. Her willingness to obey God's calling on her life was the driving force behind that child-like trust and faith in her response to the angel ("I am the Lord's servant....May it be to me as you have said."). She had the clarity of purpose. She knew her purpose in life would bring about negative things, but she exercised the "discipline necessary to move beyond disappointments and distractions and to carefully think about the thing that really mattered - God's glory....Mary could adjust to these extremes in her life because she saw them from the vantage point of obeying God's Will, not from the perspective of her expectations or preferences. Her purpose was not her convenience but God's Glory." Wow! What a concept for wives and mothers to grasp and truly understand. Mary's purpose was to glorify God and nothing else. I think that God sends stressful situations to us in order to cause us to look UPWARDLY, instead of INWARDLY. Our reliance should be on God, not on what we are capable of doing.
Mary lived out a life of obedience in her calling. She had a servant’s heart. "Servitude makes no sense apart from these [God's] truths, but it makes perfect sense in light of them....Many women today are overwhelmed with the complexity of life. They are floundering because they have no focal point [or have lost it - like I do sometimes]. When their expectations are not realized, their emotional equilibrium erupts....Servitude simplifies life. Servitude is not easy. Obedience is not a one-time decision. But it does bring simplicity to life because it settles the issue of Who is in control.....When a woman is absorbed with God's Glory, she will interpret her life according to His Truth."
God's grace will be with us! "God's grace enables us....When we experience God's grace and make the decision to glorify Him, then our soul [like Mary's] will rejoice in God, REGARDLESS of our circumstances."
Now, I know that I've kind of put Mary on a pedestal. She was by NO MEANS perfect, and I'm certain that had bad days and doubted at times. However, we should seek to imitate the part where her heart was in alignment with God's Will for her life. I think that all women, mothers, teachers, wives can learn from Mary's calling, purpose, servitude and grace! Focusing on God and His calling for our lives really helps us in our daily lives as wives, mothers, caregivers, teachers, etc.!
Blessings and encouragement to you in your great calling!
Lisa
Posted by
Anonymous 
Jan. 16, 2009 - Thanks for wise words...
I appreciate your words, and if you get a chance, please visit me. I just posted about managing multiple children and spending time (or not) with everyone; looking at your family, I KNOW you have wisdom for us all. Thanks, and God bless.