| THe High Calling of Motherhood
I’ll never forget my twentieth birthday. I had spent the entire day in labor. It was shortly after 4:00 in the afternoon that the doctor finally laid my big beautiful 8 lb. 14 oz. firstborn baby boy into my arms. I remember first of all the indescribable feeling of relief that labor was over and then immediately the awe of the miracle of birth. I was able to gaze down at the little legs that had been kicking me wildly for so many months, the tiny feet and fingers. I was struck with the awareness that I was holding close to me a little package of love sent from my Father above.
I still marvel at the awesome potential of a newborn baby. In my arms lay a child who belonged to God, made in the image of his Creator and it was my job to guide that little life to serve the one and only holy God. What a marvelous privilege!!
Today that once baby boy is now 33 years old, a daddy himself to two precious children . He is a second year law student and has acknowledged the call of God on his life to become a godly statesman. His passion is to see America return to her godly roots.
God has blessed my husband and I over the years with 14 children (gifts from God) who have all given their lives to Jesus Christ and desire to serve Him. Oh, I’ve changed plenty of diapers. (I’m pretty fast at it actually!). I almost always had two in diapers at the same time. I’ve fixed a bunch of meals, cleaned up myriads of messes. I’ve homeschooled all of them and this school year, I’m down to ONLY three!! The rest have graduated although we still have nine living at home. My life is VERY busy. Many times I feel like a rubber band stretched in many directions at the same time. But, I’d do it all over again!!
I get such joy in watching my children interact with each other. They are each other’s best friends. (not that best friends always agree). They love each other and love their parents, love other people, and most importantly they love God and look for ways to serve Him!
What more could I ask for? That’s what life is all about! Sure, I’ve had plenty of tough days. It hasn’t been easy raising a large family, especially when others around you don’t understand your vision and consider you to be crazy for doing it!
But over the years, I’ve learned that God is the one I must please. My children belong to Him and He cares about every detail of their lives and my life too. He is the great supplier of grace to accomplish every task He calls me to do.
When I had 4 or 5 little ones, I thought life would always be the way it was then. It was hard to envision what life would be like 10 years in the future. I guess it still is. But, as I look back, the years have flown by. My babies have grown up and four of them have married and have babies of their own! One is in heaven! Life is fragile.
Oh,God, “teach us to number our days that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12). Help us to focus on things that will matter 50 or 100 years from now. Help us to take our job seriously to teach our children your Word when they lay down, when they rise up, when they sit in our house, when they walk (or ride) by the way. Help us to hang your Word on our doorposts (walls) so they might hide it in their hearts and be successful in all that they do. (Joshua 1:9) Help us to grow up mighty servants of God with vision to engage our sinful culture and be used of you to help initiate a return to our godly roots. Lord, empower us with passion to live our lives with eternity in view. We’re here to serve you, almighty God. Lord, give us the courage to point our children to you and not allow other idols to dominate their lives- entertainment, prestige, power, wordly values. God, give us the strength to pour out our lives in shaping and molding our children so that when we send them out as arrows they hit targets far surpassing what we could ever have achieved in and of ourselves.
God, your Word never returns void. Help us to fill our children’s minds with your Holy Word that they might exchange their thoughts for your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8) and be used mightily by you.
God, help us to be grateful people. Grateful to have been granted the privilege of mothering precious children created in your image for your glory. God, help us to find that our fulfillment comes in losing our lives to make our husbands and children successful in your eyes.
Thank you for the high and holy calling of motherhood. Help us to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 3:14) To Jesus Christ be the praise and glory. Amen!!
By Marilyn Boyer
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