I am currently reading The Mission of Motherhood, by Sally Clarkson, as my morning devotion. Today's chapter, The Servant Mother, really spoke to me and I would like to share an excerpt from it with you.
"When I model patience in the midst of difficulty, joy in the midst of messes, contentment in the midst of lack, then I provide them a pattern for their own lives. They will learn that my joy is not circumstantial but real because I have an endless source of strength through the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.
This doesn't mean that I was wrong to feel exhausted or overwhelmed. It doesn't mean I always have to wear a cheerful mask in front of my children or hide my feelings. Feelings, after all, are just part of being human, and emotional ups and downs are a biological reality for most women. I certainly don't want my children to get the message that they should never admit their feeling down or discouraged.
At the same time, we as mothers need to recognize what a powerful effect our attitude has on our children. Laying down our lives for them can indeed mean giving up, for their sakes, our right to wallow in our negative feelings. And choosing the path of servant leadership certainly means making the effort to respond in faith to our circumstances and our feelings, turning to the Lord for help in maintaining a hopeful attitude. The beauty of such an effort, of course, is that it has the power to lift us up even as it sustains our children's spirits."
This is my prayer for today, to become a servant mother.
"When I model patience in the midst of difficulty, joy in the midst of messes, contentment in the midst of lack, then I provide them a pattern for their own lives. They will learn that my joy is not circumstantial but real because I have an endless source of strength through the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.
This doesn't mean that I was wrong to feel exhausted or overwhelmed. It doesn't mean I always have to wear a cheerful mask in front of my children or hide my feelings. Feelings, after all, are just part of being human, and emotional ups and downs are a biological reality for most women. I certainly don't want my children to get the message that they should never admit their feeling down or discouraged.
At the same time, we as mothers need to recognize what a powerful effect our attitude has on our children. Laying down our lives for them can indeed mean giving up, for their sakes, our right to wallow in our negative feelings. And choosing the path of servant leadership certainly means making the effort to respond in faith to our circumstances and our feelings, turning to the Lord for help in maintaining a hopeful attitude. The beauty of such an effort, of course, is that it has the power to lift us up even as it sustains our children's spirits."
This is my prayer for today, to become a servant mother.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15: 12-13
Comments
I love your entry for today. What a powerful passage! I am going to try and find this book because I am in need of a new devotional. This area of motherhood is one where I often feel like I fail miserably, but I'm never sure. Sometimes I'm just so worn down and tired I don't know if it's the enemy attacking me at my weakest points. I never want my children to feel like I am wallowing, but they definitely need to realize there are always ups and downs in life, especially as a woman. The boys need to realize that too.
Thanks for such a meaningful post.
~ Kayren