No one really prepared me for motherhood, or the fact that it is a journey. So much has changed since I first wrote the following words (six years actually) and I’m still on a journey.  I remember being at the stage where my children were very naughty in public. Motherhood is humbling. And I think that lesson I’m still learning. There are lessons in motherhood and those lessons are different for all of us. But there is one thing motherhood can teach us: And that is to become more like Christ. 

Motherhood is a journey toward Christ-likeness. 

When I brought my little guy home for the first time, I was overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed with exhaustion, overwhelmed with the pressure of caring for a little one, and overwhelmed with joy. When I began that journey six years ago, I did not picture myself here – in the midst of chaos, crumbs, contentment, confusion, and Christ-likeness.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful….And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to  men.” (Col. 3:12-15, 23)

 

We love that last part: whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord. But let’s not miss the context. This passage is teaching us how to react in family relationships.  In verses 18-23 Paul speaks about how wives, husbands, and children are to treat one another.  Our family relationships are there to honor God – not men (or ourselves).

 

I want well-behaved children in public to make ME look good.  Do you know what God wants me to look like?  Him.  God is more concerned with our Christ-likeness.  And He is more concerned that we reflect who HE is than who we think WE are.  These family relationships are in our lives in order to change us from the inside out to be more like Christ.

 

What does this list look like?

Mercy.

Kindness.

Humility

Meekness

Longsuffering

Forgiving

Love

Peace

 

The fruits of the spirit! (Gal. 5:22-23)  So, as we daily, sometimes hourly, put on these things we slowly. Surely we are becoming more and more like like Christ.

 

Instead of …..

punishing, extend mercy.

harsh, terse words, speak kindness.

a proud (I’m always right because I’m your mother) attitude, be humble.

yelling, use meekness.

sighing, be long-suffering (patient).

bitterness, forgive.

anger, love.

Instead of stress, we, mothers, can truly live in peace.

 

Motherhood is a living breathing thing.  And we are constantly changing with our children.  I am not the mother I was six years ago on that day in May when I brought my baby home.  And, change is always happening!  God is ever-changing me. Hopefully, I am changing to look more like Him!

 

 

Sarah E. Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five who all serve as full-time missionaries in Honduras. Her passion is to encourage women to fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is the author of several Bible study resources for women. She shares tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sarah_e_frazer) and join her free prayer challenge at sarahefrazer.com/prayer