The Gift of Motherhood

“I spent so many years allowing the devil to tell me that having children would cramp my style”

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm127:3

Growing up, I never pictured myself as someone’s mother.  As my friends in high school and college were chatting about how they were going to have lots of children, I refrained from comment. I was focused on earning my degree, starting a career and becoming successful in business. 

Shortly after I was married, my husband expressed his desire to have children.  It was something we had discussed briefly, but I was not thinking that it would be an immediate next step in my life.  About a year after we were married, I found out that I was pregnant with my first child. 

I began immediately to think of all the things that I couldn’t do any longer—I’d have no time to do anything I wanted to do, and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my life.  I wrestled with these feelings during the months leading up to my son’s birth. I felt guilty that I was not having all the “mom emotions” that everyone told me I should be having. I had begun to seriously question why God wanted me to be someone’s mom.  I was definitely not cut out for parenting.

Just a few days later, my son arrived.  Every doubt that I had was wiped away.  Every moment that I had worried about how being a mom would impact my career seemed selfish and silly. I was overwhelmed with the blessing that I was holding in my arms.  I had been given the gift of a new life to raise and a new title of “mommy” to accompany the gift.  

My new identity as this child’s mother superseded every possible title I’d ever had before.  I began to understand that there was no feeling stronger than the one I was feeling at that moment.  At that point, I was more thankful than I had ever been to the God that provided Jesus as my Savior.  I spent so many years allowing the devil to tell me that having children would cramp my style.  I’m sad that I believed that lie for so long, but am thrilled that I was transformed by the miracle of life that He sat in front of me.  There were still days that I wondered if I was cut out for parenting; those usually were on the heels of chewing gum in the cat’s fur or maple syrup on every possible surface of the kitchen.  

It’s easy to listen to the lies of the enemy.  Today, I would encourage you to reflect on the lie that you allow yourself to fall prey to.  The blood of our Savior goes deeper than any lie that the devil tries to weave into your being.  

Action Steps:

• Reflect on your life, before motherhood and during. Have you believed this lie? How has God changed your heart through motherhood?

Prayer: God, I thank You for giving me my children. I recognize that they are blessings. Use motherhood to mold me, shape me, refine me. Thank You for Your goodness, amen.

Written by Lori, wife to Kyle, mom to Brandon and Bree, and Lolli to Stetson and Raven

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