Mothering

Of all the things I've chosen to do, mothering has been my heart from the time I was small.  I always wanted to be a wife and mother.  I remember telling my own mom, that I wanted to grow up to be just like her.  Nothing more, nothing less.
Oh, there were times I wanted to be other things.  Life circumstances would motivate me to investigate nursing, physical therapy, teaching, even midwifery.
But looking back, none brought the satisfaction as did mothering my own children.  It was something I believe God planted in my heart and brought about.  It is something that has brought me great frustration, but once you set out on this road, there is no turning back.  I have had to slog on when I was tired, frustrated, disappointed, unprepared.
There have been times of deep sorrow and pain.  Experiencing miscarriage a few times made me empathize with others who experienced lose.  Then losing the baby boy we so longed for and nurtured through difficult early days and months was almost more than I could bear.  That first year was difficult as we worked through our grief.  But my husband, my children and my God continued to comfort and inspire me to reach out and work through the darkness.  Tears are for a night, but joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5)
These children God has blessed me with have brought us great joy and sometimes deep grief.  Letting our children go and make their own way in life, watching them struggle with their own decisions has not always been easy.  But seeing them triumph has it's own satisfaction as well.  Seeing them reach back to God and grow taller, stronger indicates God's love is stronger than mine.
Sometimes being a mother is the hardest job on earth. It is a life of giving.  God has worked on my character through these children.  God took an immature young woman and molded her.  I haven't always been what I should be.  I've been impatient, impulsive, even thoughtless sometimes.
But in the end, I am more than I was,  because of these blessings!  I have changed and grown because of this journey.
As I have learned, there are consequences to all decisions, good and bad.  But having children was one of the best decisions.  I would not change a thing; not the choice to bring 3 daughters and 4 sons into the world or the choice to be a stay-at-home mom.
I feel overwhelmingly blessed by having the opportunity to raise them to serve the Lord.  They are grown and 5 of the 6 are married with children of their own, whom I love beyond belief.  I still pray for my children daily that they will continue to follow God in all things and that they will raise their own children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Mothering. . . unlike the cynical Judy Collin's song, Both Sides Now, it's not the illusions of life I recall, but the accomplishment of doing 'what I could.'  I hope that God will see me as I approach the gates of heaven, and say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Working Together in the Body

I had the privilege last night of sitting in my husbands Bible class.  They are studying Exodus, chapter 17 to be exact.  As Moses is leading them to the land of Promise, they encounter the Amaleks.  Joshua is enlisted to lead the fighters while Moses climbs far above the battle with two others to rally the troops when they falter.  As long as Moses keeps his staff held high, the Israelites prevail.  But his arms grow weary and as he lowers them to rest, the Amaleks advance against the Hebrew children.  

A solution is found in the two men who have climbed the hill with him.  Aaron and Hur find a large stone for him to sit on and they stand on either side to hold his hands steady as he continues to grip the staff for all to see.  The Israelite army takes heart at the sight and are victorious.

There are many lessons we might find here.  But the one which struck me last night was the fellowship of these men.  One man, the mighty Moses, chosen by God to lead his children to their new home, and the others; the soldier, the priest and the unknown man.

We as the body of Christ work together in much the same way.  Some are called to be at the forefront of the battle, leading a public way.  Others are like Hur.  Who, you ask? He is not known for much more than this simple act of devotion and support.  He was there when he was needed.  He was of the tribe of Judah, and we see his name in connection with Aaron once a few chapters later (Ex.24:14.)  He fills an important role, then disappears, it would seem.  

But what if he had insisted on holding the staff himself?  Or refused to hold Moses arm (I can't imagine a less desirable position on a long, hot day!)  Or what if he had simply said, 'I'm not important today, think I'll sleep in?'

You see the picture I'm drawing here?  He was essential to the success of God's people.  Quiet, unimposing, unassuming Hur.  But his contribution to the victory of that day was unmistakeable.  

Do you think you are unimportant?  Do you feel that you don't do much, have many talents, give anything of value to the body of Christ?  You are wrong.  We are each an essential part of the end picture. . . No person is unimportant.  If we want the local church to be successful in the battle for souls today, fighting against the evil of the world, we must BE there.  Dressed, prepared, for whatever God has for us.  
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.  ~ Titus 3:1-2