Mothering: It's Worth It

Do you remember the family series that Mid-Way did a couple of months ago? I can still remember the farming analogies and Pastor Grant saying, “Don’t quit. Don’t give up. It’s worth it.” Just recently, I feel like I’ve been clinging to that reminder. I am in a different life stage than a lot of you, but right now I find myself with two kids under three and another on the way! I need to hear “it’s worth it” everyday as I change the 10th diaper, redirect a toddler who’s having a meltdown, try and spend time with the Lord, and make sure there’s food for dinner. Can you relate? Or maybe remember whenever this was your life? 

Galatians 6:9 

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; 

they shall walk and not faint.” 

To become "weary means to become tired or bored with". Isn’t there such a temptation to grow weary in life? Whenever life isn’t exciting, or someone isn’t serving us the way we think, we grow weary. This has been my struggle the past two years and what I want to encourage you against.

Prayer Tip 33: Do not grow weary in doing good 

Much like the Israelites that, Isaiah was speaking to, I have often wondered during this time of having littles if God has forgotten about me or if God is using me at all. My good news to you today is those questions, even though we all ask them, are a LIE!

Emily Jensen from her book “Risen Motherhood” says: “When I'm rocking a child to sleep for the thousandth night in a row, I can have faith that God can use that everyday moment to bring about His will for our lives. When I'm talking to my children at the breakfast table while someone squeezes too much syrup on their waffles, I can have faith that those conversations plant seeds that I can't see. When I roll laundry bundles, bring in another week's worth of groceries, put the baby's toys in the living room basket, and wipe the table for the umpteenth time, I can remember that I image God as I bring order to my little corner of God's creation. I don't always know how that image communicates the character of God to those around me, but I trust that it does. I trust that there is no mundane moment too small for God's glory to shine through it.” 

The Lord knew we would grow weary in life, and in motherhood, and He tells us to fight against it. Not with our own strength, but with total dependence and surrender to Yahweh, El Roi, Abba Father. Our outcome? At the proper time we will reap a harvest. I have talked to so many mothers who feel like they are at that point. They are living in the harvest. And they always tell me the same thing with a smile on their face: that motherhood is hard and refining, but so worth it. 

I don’t know exactly what you are going through in your stage of motherhood, but I know enough to know that this world is broken and life is hard. Whether it’s a diagnosis you didn’t see coming in your family, a screaming toddler who’s favorite word is “no”, a colic baby, a teenager who wants to play video games everyday, a miscarriage, a marriage that’s adjusting to having kids, etc. The Lord sees you and is working through this season, for your good and His glory. It is worth it, friends! Let us fight against the lies about motherhood that the world and the enemy will throw our way, and run this race with perseverance fixing our eyes on the One who gives us strength— Jesus! 

Prayer Points:

• Lord, help me to remember that it’s worth it.

• Lord, give me patience and grace in the everyday moments of motherhood.

• Lord, help me to see my children the way You see them and to lead them closer to You.

Suggested prayer: 

Lord we love You. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to be mothers. Thank You for loving our children more than we do. I pray, Jesus, that You would give us strength to be women who fear You and honor You in our motherhood. Please guide and direct us as we live in the mundane and remind us that You are always near and that You always see us. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

In Christ Alone,

Emma Staubs

Mid-Way Baptist Church

Flourish Women's Ministry

www.mid-way.com/women