Motherhood: A Gift of Discipline
Motherhood. It’s a word that holds many ideas for many different people. It’s a chauffer, cook, maid, spiritual teacher for children, wife and parent. But let’s take a more in-depth look for a moment at what God, the Creator of mothers Himself, has to say about this many-hat-wearing profession.
Psalm 127:3 says, “…children are a heritage form the LORD; the fruit of the womb a reward.” The God of Israel is a powerful God who loves His children beyond all measure. So how does this powerful God parent His children?
The Jewish people knew the significance of a family. They knew that a family was the basic building block and important element of society. God calls mothers to guard and protect her children, and ultimately society, but never without the LORD. The work of building a home is in vain if the Lord is not involved (see Psalm 127:1). A mother is left with frustration and exhaustion. But the LORD is faithful and promises straight paths and rest when she trusts and calls on Him for tasks He has prepared for her. Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Psalm 127 goes on to say that children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. As mothers, don’t you sometimes feel like a warrior in battle against dark forces that are wrestling against your rest, patience, and peaceful home? There are many seasons of motherhood. When children are developing emotionally, physically and spiritually, the Lord has called mothers to guide, direct, care for and teach their children. This applies to both toddlers and teens.
Paul writes in Hebrews 12 that God, our ultimate Father, disciplines His children because He loves them. Is it possible that God uses children to discipline and train parents? When mothers struggle because of lack of sleep with a newborn, temper tantrums with a toddler, or emotions with a rebellious teen, God calls these mothers to teach and correct them. All the while, during the mother’s struggling situation, God is correcting and training her. And why does He do this? Hebrews 12:6 says that it is because He loves us and is treating you as a son. The Lord’s discipline is for his children’s good. That they may share in His holiness. It is through His perfect discipline where a mother is brought closer to Him and spiritually grows.
A parent, like their child, has to remember that during the time of discipline it is never pleasant, but will later produce good fruit. Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those that have been trained by it.” So as mothers go about their day, with it’s ups and downs with their children, cling to God’s promise of righteousness and peace. Go to Him and allow Him to transform your frustration to patience, your exhaustion to peace, and worry to gentleness.