Handmade Gifts From God

Kids can seem like they need 125% of our time and energy. God designed them to depend on us for literally everything. I often find myself complaining about the ins-and-outs of raising a baby and a toddler, and I feel completely justified in my complaint. After all, no one denies that motherhood, amidst all the joys, is difficult.

God is teaching me that resenting my current role of motherhood is not justified, no matter how many times the baby woke up in the night, how many pairs of pants the toddler wet, or how difficult it was to get dinner on the table. If we look at God's Word, it is clear that He values life. He created and designed each person that walks (or crawls) the earth. Psalm 139:13-16. His Word says that children are a gift. Psalm 127:3.

In our culture today, motherhood can be seen as a drag. Moms are encouraged to power through the day and then commiserate over wine after the kids are in bed. It's socially acceptable to whine about your kids, even in front of them, or tell a mama her life is rough at the grocery store.

The role of motherhood is not viewed as a primary responsibility anymore. To "just be a mom" is sometimes considered irresponsible. Women who change diapers are often overlooked and even criticized for not "doing something" with their lives. The message from the world is that raising kids is not fulfilling on its own, and that we must have a life outside of momming to be a success.

It's not that the other things are wrong. It's the priority we're placing on kids (or lack of priority) that is the issue. God doesn't say that raising a family is second-rate, or that it's irresponsible to have multiple kids. His Word doesn't set a timeline for when we should become parents, or dictate when it's too late. The Bible only speaks very positively about having children. See Psalm 127:5, Psalm 128:3.

If you are able to raise children, are you owning your role as mama? Do you recognize it as God's calling in your life, or are you grudgingly pushing through until you can kick those rebellious teens out of your house?

Imagine if you designed and handmade a Christmas gift out of solid gold. You carefully wrapped it and put it under the tree. When your child opened it, he complained that he had to play with it instead of his other toys. He was worried about his self image if other kids found out he only played with handmade toys. It irked him that he had to get rid of some of his other toys to make room for your gift. I wonder if this is how God feels when we resent the precious gift of life that He created, or when we complain that we have less time for hobbies, careers, furthering our education, or serving in the church because of His gifts. God has the perfect amount of presents picked out for you and He doesn't make mistakes.

This message is as much (or more) for me as for anyone else. I am constantly aware of my selfishness and complaining spirit, even while typing this. Motherhood is a sanctifying process, and our sinful nature reacts to anything (or anyone) that refines us into the person God wants us to be. But contrary to what I'd like to believe, Jesus didn't promise that our lives would be easy. He said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24. Or in mom-speak, we need to deny our selfish desires for me-time, prestige, or a comfortable life, and care for our children, and follow Jesus.

Our kids need more than moms who power through on their own strength and just barely eke by. Kids need imperfect moms who lean hard into Jesus. He will help us to disciple our children to grow up to be godly men and women who will impact the kingdom of God. That complete dependance that I bristle at is a part of the Creator's beautiful design, maybe to remind us of our dependance on God. We're human, and I definitely don't break into cheerful song every time a glass breaks on the kitchen floor (although that might be an effective strategy...) but I want my kids to know that I'm so grateful for them, and that next to God and their daddy, they're more important than anything else going on in my life.

God hand-picked your children for you. He knows they will not always be easy, but if you look past the drool, you will see all of wonderful things about your kids that God wants you to smile about. He also hand-picked you for your kids, and your role as a mother is not a side-hustle, a back-burner project, or a fun hobby. It needs to take precedence in your life.