I have been home with at least one child for the last thirteen years. This fall will be a first for me. My youngest is entering kindergarten so all five of my children will be in school full-time, five days a week. It does not matter how many times I have sent my kids off to their first day of school, I find myself with recurring thoughts about the unknowns. The month of August creeps up on us and is packed with doubts, worries, racing thoughts and scenarios at the forefront of our minds. The start of school can be the catalyst for this turmoil. Will they have solid friendships? Will they be a good friend? Will their teachers see in them what I know to be true about their character? Will they choose to do the right thing when no one is watching?
We also doubt ourselves and the decisions we make. Should we send our kids to public school, private or homeschool? What will others think? There is an opinion for every single decision we make. Not to mention all the other life that happens along the road of motherhood can be relentless, leaving us weary. It will not always be pretty and can get messy. There will be heartbreak and a loss of innocence. We will become acquainted with pain and sorrow, but thankfully so was Jesus.
Our shoulders are weighed down with responsibilities. We are the chefs, teachers, counselors, chauffeurs, nurses, laundry experts, stylists, and shoppers. What a resume! We are also gardeners planting spiritual seeds, watering them, and watching the fruits of our labor bloom, sometimes slower than we expected. We are battling the ways of the world with the sword of the Word. Our children are our arrows, and we are the warriors preparing to launch them out into society as young adults. It is both exhausting and exhilarating. Our days are full of distractions vying for our attention, and in that swirling, He gently reminds me to be still and know that he is God. (Psalm 46:10) We must clear the noise of the enemy and instead rest in His truth and grace.
Our children are our arrows, and we are the warriors preparing to launch them out into society as young adults.
JoAnna Jennrich
Mamas, we are raising the David’s, Daniel’s, Ruth’s and Esther’s of our times. It is not an easy job, but it is rewarding. We must turn to our Father and trust in His promises to us. God loves our babies more than we can comprehend. His truth is that our children were made for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14) That also means we were perfectly created and hand-picked by our Heavenly Father to be their mothers. We should walk forward wearing that badge of honor with confidence.
When we feel weary let us remember to do these things:
- Prioritize: Begin our days with God. Get in the Word. Worship. Keep a posture of gratitude.
- Pray: We must invite God into our concerns or worries and pray for his guidance and nudges.
- Patience: Waiting is not easy, but His answers will come. He is faithful and will guide us. There is so much power in pausing.
- Prevail: He will see us through. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
