Motherhood is hard. It's one of the most important and wonderful things you will ever do, but like most things that really matter, it's hard. Unfortunately our society tries to avoid hard things. We like to shop on our phones instead of actually walking through a store to pick up our groceries. (And for the record, I'm not bashing grocery pick-up. I think it's amazing and I use it all the time.) We have all sorts of modern conveniences to make our life easier (washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, cars) There is nothing wrong with any of these things, but it's the mentality that we try to avoid hard things that is damaging to motherhood.
Our society tries to avoid the hard things connected with raising up the next generation. We use the television, tablets, video games, etc. so we can have some "much deserved me time." If something is hard, our society tries to find a solution. They tell us, "You deserve to treat yourself. You need self-care. You are allowed to just survive the day until wine o'clock when the kids are in bed." None of this is helpful to women. It only makes them feel resentful when they don't get the self-care that they are told they deserve. I know that I often look for something to blame when motherhood gets hard. I think, I need a break, or my husband needs to help me more, or I need to get rid of all the kid's toys so I don't have so much to pick up all the time. But none of this ever gets to the root of the problem. The problem is that I am a sinner and my kids are sinners. The solution to that problem is not found in a nail salon for some self-care. The solution to the sin problem is being reminded daily that God forgives me! He went so far as to send His Son to suffer and die for me, so that he could forgive me for all the times that I was selfish and wanted the kids to go away so I could do what I wanted to do. God forgives me for getting frustrated with the sinful behaviors of my children. And God forgives them too for all of their sinful behaviors. The solution to the sin problem is to abide in the love of God.
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." John 15:7-9
Let's band together and encourage one another in Christ. We need the gospel and we need each other to battle against the pop culture of our day that constantly uses the idol of self to undermine Godly motherhood. Let's take back Godly motherhood! Who's with me!?!?
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