Link to Devotional: I Can Do All Things: Season of Motherhood Devotional
Being a new mama for the past 7 months has been truthfully the most wonderful, exhausting, lonely, life-changing, emotional, joyful, exciting, scary, fun... insert all of the emotions that you can possibly describe that comes along with this new season of my life.
And while 7 months isn't that long, I feel we've experienced much in so little time (colicky and fussy baby, sleepless days and nights, Mastitis, baby never wanting to be placed down, and yes I have cried over spilled breast milk.)
It is definitely enough time to know that I need the Lord's knowledge, wisdom, and strength everyday to keep me going.
I don't think any amount of books can prepare you for all of the feelings that come with having a little soul that depends wholeheartedly, physically, emotionally, spiritually-- on every part of you.
No, you won't be the same girl you were once you step into motherhood. Your time is no longer yours, and when you look in the mirror, you probably won't feel like you recognize the person staring back at you most days.
I remember the first few months crying in the middle of the night and being exhausted as I rocked our newborn daughter in the car seat-- because she wouldn't go to sleep anywhere else without constant motion.
But.
But I can also remember the first time I was holding her upright and she actually looked me in the eyes and smiled-- a wave of joy literally came over me from within my soul, even more so when we heard her first little giggle as I was playing "horsey" with her on my belly.
But I can tell you nothing feels more natural and for what I'm meant to do, than when I kiss those little hands as she intertwines her fingers in mine as I feed her.
And when she lights up from hearing my voice as I enter the room-- I can't believe I can love this little person so much after only knowing her for a few months.
You're no longer the girl you were... but you are molding into the woman God purposed you for. Motherhood changes you into the woman that cares, loves and has a heart more like Jesus. Amazing how God orchestrates that right? This unconditional love is the type of love God places in mothers that is unlike anything else.
I believe God created this kind of love so that we can get a glimpse of how He sees us when we become His children.
He lights up by just hearing our voices call out to Him. He smiles when He looks at us, because we are made in His image, solely crafted by His hands and thought up in His mind. (Jeremiah 1:5) Just like a mother lovingly sacrifices herself as a servant to her home, husband, and children-- the Lord sacrificed Himself for us as a servant when He became one of us and dwelt among us.
As a child can't do anything to earn that love from his mother-- we can't earn our love from the Lord. He first loved us and willingly laid down His life for us, and just like a mother delights in her child, the Lord delights in us! (Psalm 18:19)
I realized as a new mother, much is demanded from me throughout the day. And so I need to make sure I am drawing from the living well to stay strong for my home, husband, and child.
We need to anchor our hearts, souls, and minds onto the Lord everyday so that when we are needed, we can remain strong because our foundation is founded in Christ.
Many become burnt out with all of the responsibilities and pressure. Society and culture will point you to all sorts of places when you need encouragement.
But what does the Bible say? Where are you drawing your strength from?
Motherhood is one of the most important roles and blessings the Lord has given to women that is constantly under attack in this day and age. Therefore we need to keep our hearts and minds focused on what truly matters and have an eternal perspective. I remember growing up looking into my mother’s room in the evening and she would always be reading the Bible by her bedside. That fond memory is ingrained in my heart. I want to leave that legacy of faith with my children as well.
I put together these Bible verses for daily encouragement so that you can read them, and engrave them on your heart as you go about your day. Know that the Lord sees you, and is with you as you complete even the simplest tasks.
Remember, the things that are worth it won't come easy and will always have to be fought for because Satan knows how much value they hold. And perhaps it's hard because it's what women were purposed to do.
The Lord reminds us that while every season of our lives is different-- there is something beautiful and to be learned from each one. When you are single, you have different priorities and have more time on your hand. When you get married, the priorities change again, likewise when you have children.
But we should always embrace every season we are in and see what opportunities we have that perhaps will not be there in a later season.
As the title of this study is called 'I Can Do All Things'-- the last part of that verse is what really counts. We can try to do it all in our own strength for a while, but at some point we will become overwhelmed and fail. That's why the full verse is:
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)The truth is that women were never meant to do everything (be a provider, homemaker, and take care of their children). Just like men have their own role and weren't meant to do everything either.
Unfortunately, Satan always wants to twist what God made good for evil and therefore overtime women believed the lie that we shouldn't be at home nurturing and caring for our families. And that the world can offer us more than what God did. Very much like when Eve fell for Satan's lie in the beginning and then sin came into the world once she gave it to her husband. (Genesis 3:1-13)
But.
But what if we could reclaim the gift of motherhood and begin each day with a grateful heart with God's new mercies and promises? Instead of looking at our tasks as the same old chores everyday-- let's renew our minds and refresh our spirits beginning in His word.
Let us be the generation of women that take back what God purposed for us so that we can run our race with endurance and be the mothers that say,
“I have the privilege to nurture my family everyday and honor God in this life He blessed me with.”
I hope it blesses you!♡
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