The revealed mind of God needs to inform how we think, act toward, and value our children — and all children!

It also needs to be what shapes our ideas about mothering.

Being a Jesus-loving mom in current western culture isn’t easy. On one side, we’ve got boos and hisses from a post-feminism world that degrades mothers as a waste and sees children as the ultimate inconvenience. In that environment, being wiling to live boldly and find fulfillment in a life of sacrifice can be daunting.

But equally as dangerous is what we have on the other side: the current Mommyhood culture. In many places, it’s actually pretty popular to be a mom. It’s even hip to be a homemaker. Think mommy blogs. Decorating blogs. Pinterest. To the extent that homemaker and mom means trendy decor, fashionable kids, organic food, and broad educational choices, it’s popular. But it’s a ploy. It’s the old Good getting in the way of Best. Yes, make your home, dress your children in clean clothes, feed them healthy food, cultivate their hearts — but all in light of raising world changers, aliens in a foreign land, men and women who will live like this world is not their home!

We’re continually inundated with images and ideas of what being a good mom looks like. Maybe you know all too well what those images look like, and you fail miserably at toeing the line. I’ve got good news: His yoke is far easier and more gracious than the demands of our culture. Or maybe you’ve looked at all these women running ragged trying to get more spinach into our menus and thought, “Wow. LAME. This mom thing is just lame.” I’ve got good news for you, too: His call is far more demanding, inspiring, and impacting than any goals we could ever concoct.

Once again, there is the need to be constantly allowing the Word of God to be our compass and our vision.

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. –1 Thess 2:7-8

That is one of my favorite passages regarding motherhood, especially as I care for young children. It gets right to the heart of the matter: being a mother is about laying your life down for someone else! Here we see a picture painted of a woman who is gentle, who is tender in her care. (I think most of us have the capacity to give and do quite a bit, but do we give and do tenderly?) She is a mother who shows fond affection. Most of all, she is a mother who tells her children about Jesus and then gives them her life as an example of His love.

Now, as I nurture and care for and show affection for my children, I will often utilize gifts of homemaking and organization and cozy decorating. I will dress them in clean clothes that communicate my love. I will take my job as cook and family nutritionist seriously. I will be diligent to see their hearts and talents developed. But not because those things are the sum total of motherhood. And not for my own praise and sense of achievement (how quickly our efforts can turn to our own selfish ambitions!) As I continually allow Jesus to be my vision, those things simply become tools in my toolbox — and my ultimate goal becomes so much greater: To lay down my life for these children, that they may know and be strengthened in Christ.

My own dear Mama, who is continually being a nurturing mother, with no plans to ever stop.

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Related posts:

1. Hazy Days
2. The Lens of the Word

Thoughts on getting a vision for the little years:

There are all sorts of ideas out there about mothering, children, life’s purpose, and all that. But you know what all those things have in common? God. He is the author of them. Motherhood was His design, children are His creation, and purpose was in His mind before the foundations of the world. So doesn’t it make sense to find out what His ideas are?

I want to see this life, this season, this moment through the lens of the Word. And I’m praying that the smudges and fingerprints of carnal thinking and worldly tradition will be wiped away, allowing a clearer view of Him and His desire for me. I need to know: What does God say and think about children? Knowing His thoughts, meditating on them, allowing them to change my heart — that gives vision on a foggy day.

So what does the Bible say about children?

Lots!

But an overriding theme? They are given as a blessing. Not a gag gift. Not a jokes-on-you, sleight of hand. A blessing. From God.

They are miracles, not the sum of a biological equation. They are people of beauty, destiny, and purpose:

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them. (Psalm 139)

Perhaps most gripping? They are worth the blood of Jesus. And they need it. We probably won’t read that in any popular magazines, but it is the most important truth of all: our children are sinners who need a Savior. Children aren’t just special because babies are cute, toddlers are precious, and they all grow too fast. No, they’re special because they are people who need to hear about Jesus and His saving grace. We need to hear the Lord asking, in regard to our children, “Who will go?” And it is our privilege to answer, “Send me!”

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And so we meditate on these truths, allow them to change our hearts — and our vision becomes clearer.

We are stewarding precious gifts.