Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day

UPDATED:  I posted the original post a while back, and thought it was a good reminder today -- Mother's Day.

Sweet friends, you are a mother because you were called by God to be a mother.  Yes, you had some involvement in it (at least that's what I remember from my birds & bees talk) but without His divine plan and timing, your child(ren), and you as a mother, would not exist.  There is no occupation or calling more important than that.

I heard this today in church, and it was a much needed reminder of my "job" -- the job God has called me to:

"Whether you have recognized it as such or not, as a mother who is a disciple of Jesus Christ, you have a Biblical call:
     To Marriage -- the joyful support and teamwork with a husband and his calling as you display what the relationship between Christ and the church looks like.
     To Motherhood -- the transmission of a God-centered, Christ-treasuring vision of life to your children.
     To Home-Management -- the creation of a beautiful and simple place and a living organism called a home which becomes, not only for the family, but also for the community, a refuge of Christ's peace and a launching pad for God's righteousness."  Pastor M. Arbuckle

Be blessed today, sweet friends.  I pray that you never feel as if your job as a mother is less than important, or that you are not a success because you are "just a mom."  And remember, the blessing is YOURS today on Mother's Day!

ORIGINAL POST:

A while back I was sitting in the doctor's office filling out forms. They were routine forms and there were a ton of them, so I was scurrying and scrawling along.

Until I reached that one line. The one where my scurrying and my scrawling came to an abrupt halt.
Occupation? Employer?

I am always stumped my this one. I find myself struggling to find the right words. Possibly to encompass all that I do. More likely to place something on those lines that those reading the lines will find "worthy."

I find myself laboring over the choices:

Occupation? Mom    Employer? CraftyGirl & TheBoy
Occupation? Wife     Employer? MotorMan
Occupation? Greyhaired Momma    Employer?  The few who read this blog
Occupation? Grocery Getter/Errand Runner/Kid Picker Upper-Dropper Offer/Meal Maker/Laundry Washer/All Around Great Gal

Uh, yeah. You can see that I struggle with that one.
And so, I guess, the real struggle is within me. I feel that many look down on those of us who are blessed enough to call our homes our workplaces. That being "just a mom" isn't a valuable, worthy, or important position.

God tells me otherwise.

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her: 

    Proverbs 31: 10-28

 
While I still struggle with exactly what to write on that line, what I know is that God tells me my calling as a mother and wife is noble and worthy.  And that is enough for me. 

2 comments:

  1. OH Annie!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you for this post! What a needed way to look at that awkward question. I have thought the same thing many times. Thank you for the reminder that in God's kingdom our occupation is more valuable than the most precious material things of this world.

    What did you end up writing? I don't remember what I wrote last time!

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  2. Congratulations! You won one of the bags from my Gift of Motherhood giveaway! Please e-mail me your mailing info at thehomespunheart (at) hotmail (dot) com.

    Have a great evening!
    Monica

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