He must increase

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

Today they call me “Mommy”, but someday they’ll think of me and I will be like a faint song; hopefully a sweet one. They will have their own lives and I will be in the back of their mind.

It’s not about me; it’s about God and them. It’s about how they view God, and how they see themselves. What kinds of things do I need to tell them? How much holier do I need to be so that they can have a good example? How can I get out of the way more so that they can see Jesus?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Mothering is not easy. It is back-breaking, heart-wrenching work. It has taken over my whole body, and it puts my mind and spirit through the wringer. It is not a 9-5 job that I can quit if I become dissatisfied. I am a mother for the rest of my life, and my heart gets pulled to them every time they send out a distress call, no matter how old my children become.

But this is my “reasonable service”. It is greater than me, and it is too much for me to handle as one human being. Their needs far surpass my abilities to meet them. I am lying daily on the altar and asking God to strip me more of myself so that who He is can reach out to them through me.

Our culture may have changed its mind and decided that mothers and fathers are obsolete, but my children haven’t received that memo. We are still just as important as ever, and raising them right has become our passion and our ministry.

I may never stand at a huge awards ceremony in a sparkling evening gown to accept some brass statue, but I do receive rewards that are intangible every day.

Parenting is not like any other occupation in the whole world. The best parts are in the beginning, and if you miss it then, you can’t grab it back. No matter how you may mourn when they are gone and don’t remember to call, you can’t relive the days when their eyes were big and their hair was downy and soft.

Yesterday I had lunch on our deck with my children. I watched them as they played together. There was tickling and discussion. The littlest girls were the most pleased, and their enthusiasm made our gathering sparkle. The baby sat in her high chair and put more on her face and hands than what got into her stomach, which made us all smile.

To finish off the occasion, we turned up the gas burner on the grill and “burnt” some marshmallows. I don’t believe I’ve had that much fun in a very long time. It was the experience of being with all of them; watching their reactions and their gestures; seeing the happiness on their faces.

I may be “just a mother”, but I know that God’s pleasure is in my work every day. What I do is vital, and I am irreplaceable.

Thank You, Father, for allowing me to be a mother, and blessing me so abundantly in that capacity. Give me the grace to be Your type of mom today—to give correction with love, comfort to their hearts, and point them always to You instead of trying to prove to them that I am capable in myself. If they would give their whole lives to You, I would know that my work has been worthwhile. When I have passed and they can no longer remember the sound of my voice, may Your voice never leave them. Although I need you every second to fulfill the requirements of this mission, I do it for Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Give me the strength of a mighty warrior, and the gentle sweetness of a dove. These are my legacy for You.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen