Joyful Christian Mothering.pdf

… or as Pastor Piper would say, "How to Fight for Joy" in Motherhood especially when we are not feeling joyful.

Do these things cause our joy?

What might we think brings Joy in Motherhood–but really doesn’t…what might we mistakenly believe isnecessary before we "find" joy? These things can affect our perceived happiness and our feelings of satisfactionor security but really cannot make us joyful (Some ideas…I’m sure there are a million things).

• Does our good or bad "performance" as mothers make or break our joy? Are you in a stage ofmothering where you are feeling really good about the job you are doing, thinking this is the sourceof your joy in motherhood? That is a precarious position, destined for a fall at some point. Are you ata stage where you think you are doing a terrible job as a mother? Our effort and achievement do notbring lasting joy.
• Do we believe if only we could be more organized, better housekeepers, or had more help fromhusbands or grandmothers…then we would be joyful?
• Do we think if our kids were better behaved, more cheerful, more helpful–perhaps more like someoneelse’s kids... then we would be joyful?
• Do we think if our house was more beautiful or bigger or had more storage or was in a betterneighborhood... then we would be joyful?
• How about more willpower and self-discipline…would we then be joyful?
• Does our joy depend on our feeling good and secure in regard to money, health, job, future outlook?
• Does our joy depend on having life proceed according to our plan? Or having others approve of us?
• Will the small and large stressors of life (inevitable) prevent our joy?

Lasting Joy is a gift of God and a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is from Him and through Him and a response to Himin Motherhood and all of life.

True joy comes from God, our relationship with Him, and knowing the
will of God and doing it…through His strength and His enabling.
(This would be glorifying God by enjoying Him forever.)

OK, so how do we fight for Joy in Motherhood?

• View Motherhood through God’s eyes

• Walk through Motherhood with Christ

Pursue Joy as a Mother by Viewing Motherhood through God’s Eyes

Believe in the Ideal of Godly Motherhood! Believe you are doing exactly what God intends for you todo, even if it is hard. If you have children–you can be assured He has given you this high calling ofMotherhood and will equip you for this task if you trust in Him.

It is helpful to me to have a big beautiful vision of the homelife, children, and marriage that is notdampened by the reality of it never feeling so warm and perfect as one imagines it ought to feel. Orthat we imagine other homes must feel like. We need new eyes to see–not rose-colored glasses, but a bitof God’s focusing and penetrating sight.

Have a Godly Vision!

Hold firmly to a God-exalting vision of the beauty and worth of raising children to see and love Godand our Lord Jesus Christ. Love the Ideal of Motherhood. Look at your children and see their immortalsouls, remembering they were created to enjoy God and glorify Him forever. Do not be surprised bytheir sinfulness and immaturity, but with patience, compassion, understanding and sympathy comealong beside them in their struggle to overcome the darkness in this world and find forgiveness, life, andlight in God. Be thankful for the opportunity to introduce them to their Savior. Believe that God ismighty to do His work in them! Believe in the necessity of Godly training and discipline. Sense theenormity and feel the weightiness of our opportunity to be a blessing daily in praying for and pouringout our lives for the sake of our children and for Christ: to bring our children up in the knowledge andlove of God, for His name’s sake–setting them apart for service to God and creating a true Christianculture in your home. Believe that through Christ you can do all things, and fulfill the high calling oftraining the next generation. "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures allthings" (1 Cor. 13:7). Love your children and HOPE ALL THINGS for them, "for all things are possiblewith God" (Mark 10:27).

Do Not Believe Worldly Lies

The world is veiled to the truth that in the Kingdom of God, pouring out our lives on behalf of others,including our children, is beautiful in the sight of God–"But whoever would be great among you mustbe your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:26-28). Ourgeneration has been raised to hate the idea of servanthood and, in particular, the idea of motherhood ascentral to our lives (if we have children) has been attacked continually. We have not been prepared formotherhood and at best have been encouraged to "have it all," maybe including motherhood, if wechoose that…knowing that children "limit our opportunities." We have been encouraged to beambitious and successful in all things except our home. We have been encouraged on all sides to rejectanything that is not immediately fulfilling and to place our desires, ideas, and perceived "needs" firstabove all other things in our lives–including the responsibilities we have toward our children andhusbands. We have been encouraged to be the god in charge of our lives. This is deadly not only tofulfillment as a mother and wife, but a lie rejecting Christ’s teaching that God alone is sovereign andworthy of praise. He taught that in regard to humans–Blessed are the meek, the poor in spirit, thosewho hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the righteous, and those wholove and serve others (Matt. 5-6). He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12). Therejection of all hardship and difficulties in this life is to deny the rewards and future Grace offered byGod and His present strength and ability to fill all our needs when we turn to Him. Do not allow a veilto be drawn across your eyes preventing you from seeing the truth of your importance as a mother andthe beauty of servanthood and pouring your life out in love–to your children and others. Do not believethe lies of the world about the source of true fulfillment for women–God is the source! And what HisWord teaches is true: "And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we donot give up" (Gal. 6:9-10). Also, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he hasstood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James1:12). Recognize and rejoice in the sanctification that comes through the opportunities of motherhood inservice, love, difficulties, trials, self-discipline, and plain day to day labor–being pushed to and beyondour human limits. See that even with our own children, we may serve Jesus by offering them a cup ofwater in His name. We are even promised a reward! (Mark 9:41). Welcome the little children, your ownchildren, in His name, and introduce them to Jesus… "for to such belongs the Kingdom of God" (Matt.19:14). "And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said tothem, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives notme but him who sent me" (Mark 9:37). It is at the point where we can no longer serve out of our ownhappiness, enjoyment, strength and eagerness that we can offer our weakness to God and truly serve inHis strength, bringing glory to His name.

Know that God is for Us!

God created motherhood and long years of dependent childhood. Believe that Jesus understands thespecial concerns of a mother. Believe He cares for us and that He does not despise our weakness. He isnot surprised by our sinfulness and limitations but came to redeem us and sanctify us. Do you view Godas "on your side" or sitting in judgment of all our daily failures (as we often judge ourselves and others)?I believe God is a sympathetic Father ready to hold us and comfort us and offering all His help for thetask He has assigned us–if we confess our sins and turn to Him in hopeful trust. If you have children,you can be sure you have been called to this ministry of motherhood and that God will give you all youneed if you turn to Him, trusting in His strength! One of the Bible passages that is most assuring to meis Isaiah 40:11; a verse contained within a beautiful statement of God’s eternal power andmight…contrasted with the fact that "all men are like grass." Yet, He cares for those who love Him!"He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in Hisbosom, and gently lead those that are with young" (literally–lead the nursing ewes). That is such goodnews! He is our shepherd, He carries us (and our children) in His arms...and He knows that those of us"who are with young" need to be LED and need Him to be GENTLE. He knows we are WITH young.

We must pay attention to their needs, and we do not always keep our eyes attentively on the Shepherdas we ought to–because we are, at times, distracted by lambs who are wandering away. Or we mayindeed be watching the Shepherd, but fall behind anyway because of our weaknesses and the youngneedy lambs in our care. We must truly depend on the Shepherd to guide us and carry our lambs backto safe pastures, to Him. How wonderful that He loves each single one of His sheep. We need extraprotection, care and sympathy. He is not going to crush us, but carry us. To me, these are such joyfulwords to hear as a mother, especially in these wearying days of pregnancy while taking care of our fiveother lambs! He will not crush a bruised reed–He will not snuff out a smoldering ember (Matt. 12:20;Isa. 42:3).

Believe that you are the perfect mother for your children! Believe that your children areperfect for you.

Families and individual children are not created by a cosmic roll of the dice. "All the days ordained forme were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Ps. 139:16). God created a particularwoman for a specific man to be joined in marriage. He created particular children for a specific motherand father. He has all generations in His sight. The Lord knows what He is doing when He puts eachchild in each family in the position he enjoys among his siblings. There is a reason why God put yourfamily together in the way it fits together.

God is glorified in many types of Christ-honoring homes. If we turn to Him, He will strengthen us forthe tasks He has appointed for us–even on days when it seems very, very hard. Try to see how God isworking in your family, with you and your children, and not to discourage yourself by looking at otherfamilies (or mothers) and measuring yourself against them. We often look at others and see only whatthey have that we do not have, overlooking their weaknesses–while ignoring the unique gifts within ourown families and in ourselves. Look to others for example and encouragement, only if it is anencouragement. Look to God for guidance with your children and in your mothering.

As often as our strengths are good for our children, God can use our weaknesses to bring out strengthsin them. God uses the relationships within our families for our sanctification and for growth in the fruitof the Spirit. How better to develop Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,Gentleness, and Self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) than within our families? These close relationships also donot allow us to be fooled into thinking we are without sin ("If we claim to be without sin, we deceiveourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 Jn. 1:8)–but rather bring us to recognize the sin in our lives andpersonalities and ask for God’s forgiveness, grace and help. We are, of course, weak and it is good to beforced continually to see it. "But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is madeperfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that Christ’s powermay rest on me" (2 Cor. 12:9).

Treasure Christ and treasure your opportunity to entrust a Godly heritage to your children"...so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep hiscommandments" (Ps. 78:7)

Ask God to show you how your family can glorify Him in your day-to-day life. Ask Him to show youwhat heritage you are to pass on to your children. We all know, without a doubt, that we are to pass onour love for and knowledge of God: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with allyour soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, andwhen you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise (Deut. 6:5-7). What additional things does God want us to teach to our children? Few of us are working together daily on a family farmor in a family business with our children. What activities can we pursue with our children to develop ourrelationships in a natural way while working and walking along the way...together? What can we do tocreate a special sense of working together as a family–pursuing the same things together and increasingour unity while at the same time fulfilling the Deut. 6 commandment to love God and to teach aboutGod and His Word through all the activities of our daily life?

Look at your own unique talents and gifts. Are there any areas of knowledge or ministry or practical orartistic skill in which you are particularly gifted? (If you think the answer is no–think a little bit longer.)Is there a family ministry you can dream about pursuing together with your children? Children love tobe a part of anything their parents really like to do–include them as much as possible! Anything fromastronomy, bee keeping, "family secret" recipes, neighborhood ministries, fine woodworking, blue ribbongardening, Bible memory challenges, barn painting, sabbath and holiday traditions, nursing home visits,historical reenactments, four-part harmony hymn singing, tractor mechanics, hand quilting, prayerletters, refinishing floors, reading by the fireside, watering plants at church, sheep breeding, and sportsto…well, many things...all can be of value if lifted up to God. Pass on to your children the wealth ofknowledge that God has built into your life and pray together that God would show you His plan forthese gifts. Let your children build on top of the foundation that has already been laid. It is yet to beimagined how God might use these bits of knowledge and expertise later in your children’s lives. Yourfamily and its heritage will be unique just as God has created each one of us uniquely. He is preparingyour children for a particular place of service in His Kingdom and God has chosen to use your familywith its own specific gifts to prepare your children for a unique purpose in His divine plan. This is all toHis Glory!

My oldest daughter recently asked me if she could work with me in the nursery on Wednesday nightsnext year. When someone asked why she wanted to do this instead of attending her own class, shereplied, "I like to do the things my Mom does." I am thankful for her God-given desire to be like meand also challenged by the idea that she is looking to me as an example. My prayer is that while ourfamily is doing any of these things together, we will indeed be glorifying God and fulfilling the Deut. 6commandment as we sit, walk, lie down and rise together.

Pursue Joy as a Mother by Walking Through Motherhood with Christ

Because all Joy is from Him and through Him and a response to Him in motherhood and all of life, ourrelationship to God is the only ultimate source of true Joy–in motherhood or any portion of our lives. Tobe joyful in motherhood, we must, therefore, walk through our days as a mother with Christ.

The book by Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God, has been very helpful to me intransforming my thinking about devotions as being a once a day "pit-stop"... where I am likely to runout of fuel before the next scheduled stop…to really trying to keep my mind on Christ and to "have themind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16)...drinking from the fount of His presence for my joy and refreshment throughout the day. We need to turn our thoughts continually toward Him. Brother Lawrence’s goalwas to never have his own thought, but only to think in prayers. It is hard work! My mind is like a junkdrawer…and well, it has a mind of its own.

Tips for "Practicing the Presence of God" when you do not live in a Monastery

Things that have been helpful to me in fighting for joy as a mother (in no particular order…some things thatare pouring out of the junk drawer of my brain tonight…)

Know His voice.

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). Themore we read His Word and dwell on it, the more familiar His voice will be. If you do not know Hisvoice or are feeling distant from Him in general and feel no desire for Him, you will not be able tohear His voice or pray through the day. First, ask God to make you desire Him! Ask Him to makeyou WANT to read His Word and see Him when you do read it. Confess your lack of desire andexpect Him to answer you…by increasing your joy in Him.

Drink daily from the fountain of His living water.

Eat the Word of God. Feed the Word to yourchildren. Give them His living water. It is not "cheating" to have your Bible reading (at least someof it) WITH your children. Read out loud to keep from falling asleep while nursing your baby orearly in the morning, or whenever your head is nodding despite your best efforts. It has become ahabit at our house to read one chapter of the Bible, or one children’s Bible story, at each meal orsnack when Dad is not at home (this certainly improves the general level of conversation when I amoutnumbered 5 to 1 at the table). The kids even chant, "Bible…Bible…Bible..." in a jokinglydemanding way if it looks like I’m not going to get around to reading it. My husband usually asksto hear everyone’s progress on memory verses at the dinner table. He asks to see what everyoneremembers from earlier readings during the day. All this that you do "for your children" will have abig pay off...for YOU! "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to itwithout watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower andbread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, butwill accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Is. 55:10-11). Fill yourmind with His Word so that your mind will rest there during the day, and you can have discernmentabout your thoughts and ideas. Do you have the mind of Christ? Or do you have the mind of theworld?

Routines are helpful with children.

Find a time of day when you can spend time reading the Bible orpraying alone when the children will expect this. It doesn’t have to be first thing in the morning.Sometimes with pregnancy, nursing babies, and toddlers…husbands needing to get off towork…this is not possible. I read the Bible right after breakfast most days while the kids have somefree time. I often read a little in bed at night. I pray in the shower where everyone leaves me alone. Ipray in the basement with the laundry. I pray late in the evening when I am left alone with the lastcleaning of the day. I pray in the night when my baby wakes me up. Thinking of these things ascues for prayer has helped me to find times with God throughout the day. When all my older kidswere younger I did a longer "quiet time" during naptime. You can structure a small amount of timeinto your day as your habitual time alone with God. If you are totally overwhelmed and have notbeen doing this–even five minutes can be helpful. There have been times when my brain and bodyhave been so exhausted that the extent of my prayer life has been "Oh, help!"

Be still and know that I am God.

(Ps. 46:10). Regardless of the storm around you, is there a stillness inyour soul? Although there is a time for "getting away" for peace and communion with our Lord,ultimately as a mother it will be difficult unless we learn to have peace IN the storm. And considerthe storm...is it of our own making? Too many activities, even good things, can rob us of joy. Look toTitus 2:4-5, "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to beself-controlled and pure, to be keepers at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, sothat no one will malign the word of God." What activities do we see here, what don’t we see? If weare overwhelmed, it might be time to return to the basics for a season.

Examine your heart.

This IS the heart of the matter. What are you thinking about when you are "alone"with your thoughts, in the shower, in the car, at the kitchen sink, in the laundry room, the late nightclean up?

What food have you given your mind to "chew" on? Is it full of the Word of God, other edifying andencouraging thoughts, worship, thankfulness, fruitful and prudent planning, thoughts of blessing towardyour children and others? Are you directing your thoughts to things that are above? (Col 3:2).

OR…

… are you thinking "if only…" thoughts; things would be better "if…I had a different house, I’d made adifferent decision, my children would only, my husband were different…etc.?"

… are you comparing yourself to someone else, or the way YOU IMAGINE things are for someone else andfinding yourself discouraged?

… are you believing the modern worldly voice that proclaims that your care and cleaning and work in yourhome is worthless and drudgery?

… are you upset your husband is reading the news on the internet, or watching TV, or sleeping while you arenot yet done with your "work" for the day?

… are you finding yourself listening to echoes of criticism or imagined criticism from others, moms,

mothers-in-law?

… are you going over past hurts in your mind?

… are you angry you have to do this work? "Why am I the only one working?"

… are your thoughts a whirl of what you’ve heard on the radio or TV?

… are you complaining?

… are you having "What I’d say…" "What I should have said" conversations in your mind?

… are you anxious or fearful?

Do these thoughts meet the "whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent orpraiseworthy…think about such things" standard (Phil. 4:8)? Hmmm. When I find myself enteringinto these unprofitable thoughts, it is a wake-up call to me that although I feel I "never have time tomyself" the Lord has given me an opportunity to be thinking of Him, praying to Him, asking Himto sort my thoughts and give me peace and joy…and often I squander it in profitless thinking.

More on Titus 2:5

Being "Keepers at home." The original Greek word is derived from two words, thefirst meaning a house, dwelling, household or family and the second meaning keeper, watcher orguardian, i.e., one who has oversight and responsibility over something. In the literature of the day,it was sometimes used to refer to a "watch dog" in addition to the ways we traditionally think of awoman watching over the affairs of the home ("Exegetical Defense of the Woman as Keeper atHome" by Rev. William Einwechter. Posted Feb. 9, 2004. www.visionforumministries.org). I want todwell upon this "watch dog" aspect. You are the gatekeeper of your home–remain on guard. Your home should be a refuge from the world, a Christian culture. Keep the world out of it as much aspossible. Reject things that lead your heart away from God and welcome things that encourage youand your children to look to God. Ask God to give you discernment. Your home should be a lotmore loud and bustling than a monastery…but perhaps as "holy" to God…although it probablywon’t feel like it to us!

He knows our weaknesses

…again, referencing Isaiah 40:11… "He will tend His flock like a shepherd;He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those thatare with young." And 2 Cor. 12:10, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses,insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." I did asearch using our Bible software on the word "weak" and found so many encouraging verses that Ican’t put them all in this article! God knows we are weak, He will be our strength. Likewise Hewrites over and over again that we ourselves are to be patient with the weak, encourage the weak,and help the weak. If God can be patient with us in our weaknesses, how much more should we bepatient with our children in their weaknesses?

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you"

(1 Peter 5:7). "Do not be anxious aboutanything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests toGod" (Phil. 4:6).

Abide in him

(John 17). Pray without ceasing (1 Th. 5:17).

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"

(1 Cor. 10:31)…Yes,diapers and cooking and stories and silly songs and tickles and bedtime routines and prayers withlittle wigglers and baths and dishes and the endless cycle of clean-up and hugs and kissing boo-boosand nursing in the middle of the night for the fifth time, and discipline, too. Bathe your dailyactivities in prayer, lifting them up to God.

Do everything without grumbling or complaining

(Phil. 2:14). This is a favorite scripture for me tothrow at my kids! How do I do on this in my heart (or outwardly) when it is my time to do mychores or when the children’s needs "interrupt" me in my activities and diversions?

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (Col. 3:2).

Work onreducing the trivial in your thoughts. Sometimes a movie that I have seen will haunt my thoughtsfor several days or longer. I’ve found I need to be careful with visual images, TV and movies or Ispend too much time thinking about them at other times. Other trivial things could be thinking toomuch about fashion, shopping, what others are thinking of us, etc. You know your own mind best. Ihave plenty of these things to work on with God’s help.

Do not begrudge your work

…your duty is not above and beyond the call of duty! I often think when"no one" has asked me nicely or notices my work, that Jesus HAS asked me "Please do this, for me."I am encouraged by Matthew 6, where Jesus says several times, "Then your Father, who sees what isdone in secret, will reward you."

Wean yourself off of habitual boredom fillers

–those things we like to do during the day that keep usfrom necessary work and make us feel our children are constantly "interrupting" us. For me this can be computer research for homeschooling, writing, e-mail correspondence, and reading, reading,reading (yes, even "good" books). Other examples might be hobbies, telephone, TV, magazines, constantly listening to music or talk radio and trying to keep up with all the current events. Youmust be willing to move through boredom as you move away from these "diversions" or mind-fillerswhich keep our minds busy…to a "stillness" which allows us to hear the "still, quiet voice"–a peaceamid the storm of our household. I have found peace on the other side of boredom following aperiod of withdrawal, after realizing that I was spending time I did not have on these activities. Attimes I have given up novels, newspapers, and all TV watching when I felt they were interferingwith my real life. At these times, I felt very clearly that God wanted me to "just stop" and not try to"limit" these things–at least for a time. When I have done this, I have found that I do in fact haveenough time for my necessary daily activities, my children, husband, God and even...me. Suddenly Iwas enjoying being with my children again and didn’t feel they were always interrupting me.Wherever God calls you to be…and I’ve pointed out we ARE called to be mothers if we havechildren…Be ALL there with your mind and your body. (Remember Jim Elliot’s exhortation?"Wherever you are, Be All There.") Keeping half an eye (or less) on our children while trying topursue diversions is a recipe for irritation and anger with our children. We will always prefer thepleasurable diversions and not want to drop them the moment a child’s need "interferes." I know,because days when my heart and emphasis is elsewhere are my worst days. Sometimes I think ofJesus saying, "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out…" about these activities that keep me fromdoing what I am called to do as a mother. At the least, be there with your children. Some of theseactivities can be limited and good for us (I currently enjoy a women’s book group requiring a"classic" a month of reading)…but there is a time for going cold turkey in turning away from thingswe reflexively turn to for diversion to the detriment of our mothering.

Thank God that you know your weakness

–so that He might be your strength.

It is good to feel "needy"

because we are, in truth, helpless and totally dependent upon God for our verylife and all it contains. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father ofthe heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" ( James 1:17).

Thank God that motherhood reveals your heart and your sin

We don’t have to worry that we arelike the man who learned a lesson in humility at a dinner party. He had been boasting that throughhis religious adherence he had "put the Old Man to death," when another diner (I believe it wasWilliam Wilberforce) suddenly and unexpectedly splashed a glass of water in his face at the dinnertable! The doused man rose swearing and cursing while Wilberforce said calmly and with an amusedgrin, "It looks as if the Old Man was only sleeping and is not quite dead!" With kids around, it islike getting a splash of cold water every so often! There have been times I have been dwelling in mymind on these lovely thoughts of motherhood, when my children have suddenly appeared and"interrupted" me. I can become so angry so quickly! It is very humbling–but good to know thetruth about myself. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (1John 1:8).

A note on discipline

I am a big believer in consistency in training children–but there are times whenMY OWN reaction to the children’s misbehavior is so sinful, angry and prideful (making me feelthat "I don’t deserve such treatment" or something similar) that I can’t immediately deal with thechild. I have to deal with myself first, even if it means I am not "consistent" at that moment. I haveto look to God for help in removing the log from my own eye before I can remove the speck frommy child’s eye (Luke 6:41).

I give praise to God who, through His Word and wise women
I have known (personally and through their writing), has planted and
nourished the seeds of these ideas about Joyful Mothering in my heart.

These ideas have been helpful to me in keeping my eyes on God’s vision for
our family and the importance and beauty and high calling of Motherhood.
And no! I have not arrived into a state of continual blessed joyfulness.
It was helpful for me to put these thoughts into words as I have especially
needed encouragement myself in the past few weeks.

May God Bless each of you as you pursue Joy in Christ
through your ministry of mothering your children.

~ Sara Shull

Originally written for the
M.O.M.S. (Making our Mothering Significant) Meeting
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 4, 2004

Believing that children are a Gift of God and a Heritage from the Lord, Sara and her husband Kevin,are thankful to have welcomed Grace, Lydia, Nathanael, Esther, and Benjamin into their home. Theyare expecting their sixth blessing in the Fall of 2004. Kevin and Sara Shull were joined in marriage in1989, and have been members of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since 1997.

Scriptures for this article taken from the ESV, NIV, and KJV versions of the Holy Bible.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.All rights reserved

THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by InternationalBible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

King James (Authorized) Version. This text is in the public domain and has no copyright.