Motherhood /ˈməT͟Hərˌho͝od/

What is it? Oxford dictionary defines motherhood /moTHer(h)ood/ as the “state of being a mother.” It looks different for us all. It doesn’t have to have similarity. It isn’t one size fits all. It isn’t easy. It isn’t futile. It comes with the most complexity.

I wasn’t a person who planned for my life as being a mother. I spent my 20’s getting all the education and experience I could in order to devote my life to counseling, therapeutic treatment, case management, and education. I made plans for that… with big strong desires. I studied and worked in that world for 10 years before I became a mother. Of course I desired to be a mother, but I never could have imagined how that role would become my sole purpose and desire, above all else. Now, my days are spent serving all those little people around the clock, and let me tell you, life with THREE is DIFFERENT than life with two guys! Justin and I are in all different directions at all moments of the day and lots of moments of the night. I couldn’t imagine a better, more exhausting, more tiring, more fulfilling, more rewarding, more challenging purpose. I’ve been a mother for over 7 years, and my children have taught me far more than I learned in any educational institution. It is my honor to have the job to help shape, grow, and mold them into people through the “state of being a mother” to them.

I’m grateful for motherhood. I’m grateful for the responsibility to steward these little people. To educate their minds (shout out to my homeschool Mama’s… if you know ya know!), to shoulder their burdens, to cheer their successes and wipe their tears, to build them up, and teach them humility when I fail in front of them (or fail them), to provide with them along side my husband and teach them love, and kindness, to help them embrace diversity and stand for righteousness, to cuddle, and tickle, to comfort, and also discipline. To make them strive to be better, do better, make our world a better place each day. To help them show Jesus to the world, and know they’re never alone. For these things I will never tire, even though the job is tiring. For these things I will never take for granted… each moment, each smile, each tear, each hug, each quiet peek at their face in the night.

Mama’s if you ever question your purpose, if you ever doubt your worth, if you become overwhelmed, if you’re stricken with guilt, if you’re not having your best day or if you’re living the dream, just know that you’re fulfilling the most selfless, wondrous, challenging, rewarding journey I could ever imagine. You are created and called for such a role as this. You are equipped more than you know by just being you. So in all the long nights, early mornings, tired eyes, bright smiles, and sweet embraces be comforted in knowing your work is purposeful, and this job never ends. My hope and prayer for all my fellow momma’s is not the striving for daily perfection but the ability to embrace the ordinary, every day joys and trials and enjoy every moment of the “state of being a mother” (and maybe for a moment of stillness and peace and a large cup of coffee in your day).

Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” My heart is not for loss to all those who are in the depths of preparing for or desiring motherhood. If your heart grieves these things there is hope. If your heart desires these things, the battle is not over. If your heart has lost these things, there is hope for restoration. These battles are restored through Christ and promised in Psalm 113:9, for “He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Friends motherhood is a reward, and full of joy.

May your motherhood be joyous!

XOXO,

Kristy