At The Heart Of It All - May 2021
Committed. Dedicated. Called. Protective. Chosen. Loving. Nurturing. All of these mirror the characteristics of a mother. If in no other time in history, we have definitely witnessed those traits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A couple of weeks ago, while listening to the radio, I heard a statistic that said as of December 31, 2020, more than 2 million women have left the labor force due to the pandemic. (Kindelan, 2020) In doing further personal research, I found that number has increased. As of February 5, 2021, it has been recorded that close to 3 million women have left the labor force either due to a layoff, furlough, or by choice due to life circumstances. (Cerullo, 2021) I can imagine those women didn’t see those life changes coming their way, but we never know what God’s plan is for our lives. We view things one way, but God’s view is completely different. Many would say the pandemic has caused women to suddenly become teachers, counselors, nurses, chefs, etc., but I can sum up all of those things in one word…mother.
From the moment a woman becomes pregnant*, her priorities shift. The well-being of the child becomes a woman’s priority*. For the mothers who are blessed to adopt a child, the priorities begin to shift from the moment they realize motherhood is headed their way. At times, it can be difficult to put your individual desires to the side for that of your children, but all in all, mothers are ultimately able to do just that without thinking twice about it. It’s as if love takes over, and makes everything possible. Mothers often get up early to ensure there is a productive start to the day for everyone, even when she is exhausted. You can count on Mommy to know her schedule, the schedule of all the children, the schedule of her husband, and somehow get everything done (with a slip here or there ☺). After fighting through that exhaustion all day, she then stays up late preparing for the day ahead. (Proverbs 31:15)
A mother’s role in the family unit is so important. Mothers are not only a blessing to the children, but to the entire family. Mother’s nurture their children, work to strengthen their relationship with their spouse*, and work hard to foster a Christ centered place of peace, love, and safety in their homes. A mother prays for her family continuously. A huge responsibility, yet an important one. Thankfully, God equips us with everything we need to be great mothers. His Word tells us to not to sit idle (Proverbs 31:27). So even though there is always something that needs to be done – cleaning, cooking, folding clothes, grocery shopping – moms don’t have too much time to sit idle because when they do, things often fall through the cracks. His Word tells us to train our children in the way that they should go so when they get older, they won’t depart from what they know (Proverbs 22:6). When we do this, we can count on the joy we will feel when we know our children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4) Personally, I want to do everything that I can to show my sons a woman who is kind, wise, and loving. It is my prayer that when they become of age to begin searching for a life partner, they will look for someone with characteristics of God because they saw those same characteristics at home first. (Proverbs 31:36)
To all the mothers out there, always remember, you are unique! No one else can be the mother to your children – that job was hand crafted by God, just for you. May the words in the blog this month remind you of your special purpose. When we don’t know what decision to make and we don’t know how to survive one more moment of being a mother, God He will lead us, guide us, and show us the way. (Psalm 32:8)
At the heart of it all, in your strong days and your weak days, God called you to motherhood. You are the heartbeat of your home, the primary nurturer to your family, and the protector of your family’s peace. God chose you for your role, and He will make everything work according to His Plan. (Ephesians 1:11) Motherhood can often feel too heavy to carry, but even then we can stand confident in the fact that God doesn’t make mistakes. (Proverbs 3:26) As your children grow, so do you. As your children become wiser, more independent, and more in tune with the Lord, so do you. When we trust God, and I mean really trust God (John 14:1), we will begin to see his plan for our lives unfold right before our eyes.
“If you want those around you to see God in your actions, then do everything in love.”
Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 16:14)
*- in most cases
Works Cited
Cerullo, M. (2021, February 5). Nearly 3 million U.S. Women have dropped out of the labor force in the past year. Retrieved from CBS News Web Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-crisis-3-million-women-labor-force/
Christian Art Gifts. (2012). 101 Words That Matter Most for Mothers. Christian Art Gifts, Inc. - Illinois.
Kindelan, K. (2020, December 31). Good Morning America Living . Retrieved from Good Morning America: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/million-women-left-workforce-2020-matters-74752515
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved
A couple of weeks ago, while listening to the radio, I heard a statistic that said as of December 31, 2020, more than 2 million women have left the labor force due to the pandemic. (Kindelan, 2020) In doing further personal research, I found that number has increased. As of February 5, 2021, it has been recorded that close to 3 million women have left the labor force either due to a layoff, furlough, or by choice due to life circumstances. (Cerullo, 2021) I can imagine those women didn’t see those life changes coming their way, but we never know what God’s plan is for our lives. We view things one way, but God’s view is completely different. Many would say the pandemic has caused women to suddenly become teachers, counselors, nurses, chefs, etc., but I can sum up all of those things in one word…mother.
From the moment a woman becomes pregnant*, her priorities shift. The well-being of the child becomes a woman’s priority*. For the mothers who are blessed to adopt a child, the priorities begin to shift from the moment they realize motherhood is headed their way. At times, it can be difficult to put your individual desires to the side for that of your children, but all in all, mothers are ultimately able to do just that without thinking twice about it. It’s as if love takes over, and makes everything possible. Mothers often get up early to ensure there is a productive start to the day for everyone, even when she is exhausted. You can count on Mommy to know her schedule, the schedule of all the children, the schedule of her husband, and somehow get everything done (with a slip here or there ☺). After fighting through that exhaustion all day, she then stays up late preparing for the day ahead. (Proverbs 31:15)
A mother’s role in the family unit is so important. Mothers are not only a blessing to the children, but to the entire family. Mother’s nurture their children, work to strengthen their relationship with their spouse*, and work hard to foster a Christ centered place of peace, love, and safety in their homes. A mother prays for her family continuously. A huge responsibility, yet an important one. Thankfully, God equips us with everything we need to be great mothers. His Word tells us to not to sit idle (Proverbs 31:27). So even though there is always something that needs to be done – cleaning, cooking, folding clothes, grocery shopping – moms don’t have too much time to sit idle because when they do, things often fall through the cracks. His Word tells us to train our children in the way that they should go so when they get older, they won’t depart from what they know (Proverbs 22:6). When we do this, we can count on the joy we will feel when we know our children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4) Personally, I want to do everything that I can to show my sons a woman who is kind, wise, and loving. It is my prayer that when they become of age to begin searching for a life partner, they will look for someone with characteristics of God because they saw those same characteristics at home first. (Proverbs 31:36)
To all the mothers out there, always remember, you are unique! No one else can be the mother to your children – that job was hand crafted by God, just for you. May the words in the blog this month remind you of your special purpose. When we don’t know what decision to make and we don’t know how to survive one more moment of being a mother, God He will lead us, guide us, and show us the way. (Psalm 32:8)
At the heart of it all, in your strong days and your weak days, God called you to motherhood. You are the heartbeat of your home, the primary nurturer to your family, and the protector of your family’s peace. God chose you for your role, and He will make everything work according to His Plan. (Ephesians 1:11) Motherhood can often feel too heavy to carry, but even then we can stand confident in the fact that God doesn’t make mistakes. (Proverbs 3:26) As your children grow, so do you. As your children become wiser, more independent, and more in tune with the Lord, so do you. When we trust God, and I mean really trust God (John 14:1), we will begin to see his plan for our lives unfold right before our eyes.
“If you want those around you to see God in your actions, then do everything in love.”
Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 16:14)
*- in most cases
Works Cited
Cerullo, M. (2021, February 5). Nearly 3 million U.S. Women have dropped out of the labor force in the past year. Retrieved from CBS News Web Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-crisis-3-million-women-labor-force/
Christian Art Gifts. (2012). 101 Words That Matter Most for Mothers. Christian Art Gifts, Inc. - Illinois.
Kindelan, K. (2020, December 31). Good Morning America Living . Retrieved from Good Morning America: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/million-women-left-workforce-2020-matters-74752515
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved
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