“…train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God will not be reviled.” –Titus 2:4 I am an aging mother and I see this truth every morning as I apply make-up to cover up my wrinkles and prepare for work. As a mom, my routine is the same each day. In the morning, I check to make sure my kids have what they need for school that day. When I return from work, I prepare dinner for my family and help each child complete their homework that evening. As mothers, this is what we do. We are busy in and out of the home, tending our children and husband. By the time we know it, the week is over and we are already planning ahead for the following week. Seldom do we have the time to think or do something for ourselves. I have these moments when I start to think about what a dull life I live. I begin to question if I am actually happy as a mother. There seems to be something more I am longing for. This thought enters my mind: All I ever do is take care of my family, there has to be more to life than this? In my frustration I ask myself, “What about me? What do I get?” It is in these moments that I become dangerously idle. No longer do I want to serve anyone but myself. I allow this belief to enter and come live in me: Woman, you can have it all. Take care of yourself because no one will. With a prideful heart, I begin idolizing my own thinking above God’s truth. It is in these moments that I become dangerously idle. Unguarded Women In 2 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul warns us about these particular weak women who allow sin to creep up into their lives because they are unguarded. It reads, “For among them are those who capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning but never able to arrive at the knowledge of truth” (3:6-7). Am I one of these women? Had I become foolish, burdened by my sins and led astrayed by my own passions? My mind had become disillusioned by what the world was telling me, and I concluded that I would be the only one who will be able to take care of myself. I allowed these thoughts to come into my life, to make me believe that as a mom and wife, it was not enough. There was something greater out there waiting for me. It was then that I knew I had completely lost sight of what it meant to honor God’s call for me as a mother. Most importantly, I had allowed my own desires to take precedence over God’s. When this happens, we must be careful as it is contrary to what the Bible teaches. The Apostle Paul describes in Romans 8 what it means when a person is truly living in the Spirit, emphasizing that the flesh and the Spirit cannot exist together. Romans 8:7 says, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.” And before that in verse 6, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Mothers Are Spiritual Life-Givers As mothers, Jesus calls us to a different kind of life. For so many years before having any children, I struggled to be a mom. Deep within, I knew the Lord had created me specifically for motherhood. There was a longing I knew could only be met through caring and nurturing children. Mary Kassian writes in the book, True Women 101: Every normal woman is equipped to be a mother. Certainly, not every woman in the world is destined to make use of her biological equipment. But motherhood, in a much deeper sense, is the essence of womanhood. The first woman’s name affirms and celebrates this truth: Eve means “life-giver.” God’s purpose is that every woman—married or single, fertile or infertile—will bring forth life. Regardless of her marital status, occupation, or age, a woman’s greatest aim ought to be to glorify God and further His kingdom by reproducing—bearing spiritual fruit. [3] The truth for us as women is that we are made to bring forth life. We honor God when we are living out our roles as mothers and wives in our homes. Keeping our household in order and together is an important way we glorify God and advance the work of His kingdom. A Godly woman is as Paul writes to Timothy, one who is faithful to her husband. She has a reputation for her good works, she is committed to bringing up her children, she washes the feet of God’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds (1 Timothy 5:9-10). As believers, we obey, worship, and serve Christ by serving others and considering their needs before our own. We need to put to death this popular cultural belief that being a mother is not good enough. We need to gladly embrace His Word reminding us of who we are as women and the very important work and role He has called us for---motherhood. Being a mother brings great joy to the Lord. Ultimately, we must trust that if He says it is good, then it is. We must be content in where He has placed us, knowing well that a mother sacrifices and pours out her life for her children and husband in service to God. This is the knowledge of truth we need to arrive at. We must be content in where He has placed us, knowing well that a mother sacrifices and pours out her life for her children and husband in service to God. Our Obedience Produces Blessings As I watch my three children grow up, there has been incredible joy and abundant blessings that come forth from being their mom. The little things such as seeing my daughter make wise choices in the friends she has, to my son who is learning daily that being punctual is a valuable trait. Mothers, these things may seem subtle, but they are so great to God! Our sacrifice does not go unseen. Indeed, our obedience to God produces rich blessings. Many times we may not see it right away, but eventually we will. In times where we fall short (and we will) and begin to believe these lies from the enemy, may we humbly go before the Lord in prayer, repent, and ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of this most important truth, keeping our eyes fixed on Him. May we honor God through our role as mothers, being the “life-givers” to the children He has entrusted us. Through our obedience, we will indeed bear rich spiritual fruit for His kingdom. “You keep (her) in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because (she) trusts in you.” –Isaiah 26:3 “The wisest of women builds her house, but a foolish one tears down her house with her own hands.” –Proverbs 14:1 Other articles by Bobbie Vang: Thoughts on Parenting and Raising Children Who Will Love the Lord
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Author: Bobbie Vang (Nkx. Vam Meej Vaj)Bobbie desires to know and live out God's Word, challenging other women to do the same. She is married to Albert Vang, who currently serves as the Pastor for Next Gen Ministries for the Hmong Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Stockton, California. Together, they have three children. ArchivesCategories |