Called to Mother

On my first shift back to work after having my first child, one of the doctors I was

working with approached me and was asking how I was enjoying motherhood. In the

small talk of how I was already back to work and my baby was 3-months old, he

responded, “The days are long, but the years are short.” That was perhaps the first time I ever heard that quote, and I mulled over it the rest of my shift. In the midst of juggling the sleepless nights with work and keeping the household functioning, it seemed as though those routine 2-hour wake-up calls to a crying infant were never ending. That quote is more true now to me than ever as that sweet baby just celebrated her tenth birthday, and we have added to the crew with an 8-year old and almost 4-year old. The Bible says in James 4:14, that our lives are like a vapor, it passes so quickly! This 10th birthday for my girl has been an eye-opener as I realized she is closer to adulthood than that sweet little infant who was completely dependent on me, which led me to question, am I instilling what really matters into my children’s lives? Am I influencing them in a way that encourages them to walk in God’s truth all of their days?

Psalm 78:4-7 is a charge to tell the coming generation of the goodness of God: We will

not hide them from their children, but to tell the coming generation the glorious

deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders he has done…he commanded

our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them,

the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they

should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his

commandments.

As women, we have our vision and plan for what motherhood for us will look like.

However, that doesn’t always align with God’s plan for our lives, and can bring

disappointment, pain, and doubt. I was there. My plan was to get married immediately

after college and have all of my children by the time I turned 30. I graduated college,

friends were getting married, having children, and I was still single. Clearly, God’s plan

was different than mine! I got married at 26, and had our first child at 31, and our third at

37. During that season of singleness and waiting to have children, God grew me and

gave me opportunities to serve Him that I would not otherwise have had with a husband

or children. The season was not always easy, but God was faithful and His plan

perfect.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace

and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

In the Brave Women Run in My Family study, we learned about Deborah in Judges 4

& 5. She was the only woman judge in Israel and became known as a mother of Israel (Judges 5:7). The Bible does not tell us in-depth about her family, but she was faithful to God and used her influence to save the people of Israel, both physically and spiritually. Thus, impacting the faith of generations. As women, we have the opportunity to become “spiritual mothers” to help raise the next generation of Jesus-followers.

I attended a conference where one of the speakers said that women have the gift of

influence, and it is up to each of us in how we steward that gift. I was fortunate to grow

up in a Christian home with parents who took me to church and taught me about Jesus.

As a result, I was around other women who influenced and encouraged me to press in

to Jesus. These influences came in a variety of ways some directly towards me such as

through Sunday School teachers, group Bible studies, conversations in passing, and

others simply through observation of how they show up faithfully to serve each week or

how they love others and raise their families. I am so thankful for the countless women

who have spoken truth and continue to pour Jesus in me, and I now get to invest in the

next generation through my children.

So as women, no matter your age, marital status, or season of life, your influence

matters! We do not always know what God has planned for us, but it is God’s will for us

to press in to Him and use our gifts to testify of Him to the next generation. Do not

believe the lies from Satan that because you do not have children of your own, you are

young, or your children are grown that you cannot have a powerful influence. Stay

faithful to God’s calling on your life. Look for those that you can influence to raise the

next generation to set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His

commandments (Psalm 78:7).

As I mentioned previously, time goes so quickly, which requires our immediate action to

fulfill the calling as mothers and spiritual mothers. My prayer for my own children and

those I have an influence on is found in 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than to hear

that my children walk in truth. I pray this challenges you to draw close Jesus so you are

ready and equipped when God places that sweet soul in your path to love and nurture.

Prayer Points:

• Pray for God to fill you with His truth and to persevere in the trenches of motherhood.

• Pray that God will open your eyes to people in your life to “mother” by nurturing and

• speaking truth of God’s Word.

• Pray for God to give you wisdom as you teach and lead your children to Jesus.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of motherhood. Help me not take the responsibility lightly, but to seek You for strength and guidance daily. God, open my eyes to opportunities around me to speak Your truth and testify of Your goodness. Give me boldness to pour Your truth and grace into those around me. May my children and those I come into contact with see You and seek You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Karin Rackley

Mid-Way Baptist Church

Flourish Women's Ministry

www.mid-way.com/women