The Ministry of Motherhood

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a trend in Christian circles. I sense discontentment in mothers with young children. It seems that mothers are feeling unfulfilled in their mothering roles. The undercurrent I sense is that they feel being a wife and mother doesn’t contain enough purpose and they need to be doing more to contribute value to the world…or to simply feel valuable. Overall, it appears the message they are hearing and feeling is that mothering is a lesser ministry than contributing to something “out there”… and I get it.

There is a huge need, not only in our communities but throughout the entire world. Stories filled with issues like sex trafficking, homelessness, abortion, immigration, and millions of hungry people fill our social media news feeds and tug at tender-hearted women. We see the brokenness and immense need and we want to do something about it! This isn’t wrong, in fact, I do believe we have a responsibility to help where we can. I’m right there myself. I watch the number of children in the foster care system rise. I see the number of abortions performed each year. Human-Trafficking numbers continue to soar.

It all breaks my heart.

I’m not ok with these things happening on my watch, and I want to do whatever I can to help! We’re foster care licensed and are open to adoption (if a placement goes that direction) to lower those numbers, even if only by one or two. We’re also deeply involved as volunteers with Safe Families for Children, hoping to keep families together.

But when I take a step back to look at the problems “out there,” it seems to me, that the many of the issues are a result of a breakdown of families. And that gets me thinking… Are we really doing our part at home with our own children, or is our desire and effort to help “out there” causing a breakdown in our own families and contributing to the greater issues?
Are the things we’re spending our time on away from our families for the benefit of others– or for ourselves? Are we truly looking to help the helpless, or are we doing it to find some value and purpose for ourselves? I think we really need to examine our heart motivations for whatever ministries we are involved in. Are we there to help, or to feel important and like we’re making an impact in the world?

Let’s take a look at what the Bible says in Titus 2:3-5

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Did you notice that? It says that older women should teach the younger women to be lovers of their husbands and children and to be busy at home.
It’s easy to brush that aside thinking it’s not meant for this day-in-age, but I think we would do well to consider the implication of that admonition, unpopular as it may be.

No, this does not mean we can’t be involved with ministries. Nor does it mean we have to be isolated at home all the time. But it does imply where our main focus, priorities, and beliefs about our roles as mothers should be.

As mothers, one of our greatest ministry opportunities is right in our own homes.
We have young souls around us every day. Souls that need to know the love of God and his forgiveness. Satan is indeed trying to steal our families, and our homes are his battlefield. If we faithfully pour truth, wisdom, obedience, and love for God into our children each day, hopefully, they will grow up to be mighty soldiers of the Lord and will go on to impact many lives for Christ.

“Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.”–Andy Stanley

For everything, there is a season.

It is a wonderful thing to want to pursue ministry opportunities. But perhaps, if you are a mother with children still in the home, in this season of your life, motherhood IS your ministry. As cliche as it may sound, the days are long but the years truly are short. Your children will grow up quickly, and once they do, the next open door and next step may take you into that place of ministry you’re longing for. I want to encourage you. Stay faithful where you are, ministering to those God has given you for RIGHT NOW. Your role as a mother is huge. You are shaping lives, nurturing souls, and equipping them for their future roles. Do not minimize the great importance and responsibility that is yours in this season of mothering.

Mothers are teachers, leaders, and world-changers. Families are the foundation of our society, yet all around we see them crumbling. Love your husbands. Nurture your children. Don’t sacrifice the stability of your children and family on the altar of a perceived calling or the drive to accomplish. If God has blessed you with children–they are your calling in this season. There can be more, and there is more for you to do…but not at the expense of your children and husband.

Until the season changes, you can minister to others in ways that your family can be a part of.

Practice hospitality by inviting other families into your home. Open your door to the single moms who may need some love and a chance to unwind in the stability of your family unit. Welcome the older couple at church who doesn’t have family nearby. Get to know that neighbor down the street that usually keeps to himself. Foster or adopt– the need is great! There are countless people that need the love of God you can invite into your home and love on as a family because you are a family. There are ministry opportunities all around that don’t require you to neglect your role as a mother, rather, you can include your children and teach them how to be ministers of God’s love as well.

Mothering can be lonely and it certainly isn’t glamorous.

As mothers, we wear many hats in a matter of minutes, yet no one is there handing out accolades and awards for our efforts. Serving, nurturing, training, and disciplining our children is a labor of sacrificial love and requires a big-picture focus. Sometimes the appeal of serving “out there” can diminish the importance we feel in mothering, but when we remember that by serving the children God has given us we are serving our Savior as well, we can rest knowing we will receive an eternal reward.

That is the beautiful ministry of motherhood.

And it is enough.