Fearlessly Feminine Motherhood

Motherhood is costly.  And it is only natural to try to resist the pain and still reap the benefits.  But it is this very difficulty, surmounted and conquered, that brings the richest rewards.  Anything of worth is costly:  devotion to Christ, a strong marriage, financial responsibility, a life of integrity, and of course, fearlessly feminine mothering.

To be fearlessly feminine means mothering well.  It means being willing to put someone else's needs ahead of your own.  The fearlessly feminine woman stops running from her children.  She develops a deep sense of the value of her hourly sacrifices as a mother. There is no "National Mothers' Union"  she can petition for higher pay or better work conditions.  Yet as she surrenders to the call of motherhood, she fleshes out her answer to the question, "What is truly important in my life; what is of eternal significance?"

Are you struggling with your role as a mother-servant in your home?  Are you resenting your kids?  Are you fearful that life might slip through your fingers?  Recognize your feelings for what they are:  self-centered and unfaithful toward the God who called you to mother.  These emotions are the opposite of what is good and true and pure and kind.  God's purpose for us as his daughters is not freedom from the difficulties in life. His goal is to make us like Christ and, through us, to mark our children with His beauty.  ~Jani Orland

And whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave to all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ~Mark 10:43-44

School at Home

Bethany and Ethan

Bethany

Ben - doing his own thing

Ethan -this picture was taken by Bethany my aspiring photographer.

Intentional ~ Feminine Dress

Over the past few years the Lord has gently impressed upon my heart the truth that the way a woman presents herself is important. Her presentation - demeanor, spirit, attitude, dress, etc. will either glorify the Lord and bring honor to her husband or not. With this in mind I would like to share a wonderful blog series on this topic - A Portrait of Feminine Dress by Jacqueline at Deep Roots at Home. I hope these wonderful pictures inspire you as much as they did me. Be sure to read the entire series. Enjoy.

A pure woman is one who is less concerned about trendiness than about what a particular trend communicates about character. ~Lydia Brownback

It's so easy today to base our choices on what's readily available and on what everyone else is wearing.  After all, we think, it can't be immodest if we blend in with everyone around us.  But we are kidding ourselves here.  A more accurate assessment as to whether an article of clothing is God-glorifying involves both our motive for wearing it and the effect it has on the men around us.  The old saying "she wears her heart on her sleeve" can be taken beyond the realm of romance to the realm of character. ~Lydia Brownback

Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control. ~1 Timothy 2:9

Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ~1 Peter 3:3-4

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 12:1-2

Low & Wise

Perhaps a better woman after all, with chubby children hanging on my neck to keep me low and wise. ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Intentional ~ Motherhood

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God.  We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~Martin Luther

I don't know if you are like me or not, but I find that in the midst of trying to keep up with my 13m old, deal with squabbling children, clean up messes, take care of the dog, homeschool, control the clutter, cook, and clean up after a toilet that likes to overflow at the exact moment that I've finally gotten comfortable and forgotten about it (yes, really!) I tend to forget that motherhood is a sacred and holy calling. I get caught up in the day to day and forget that motherhood is kingdom work.

If so, then you will want to read Kendal's post What Is Our Time For.

While you are visiting The Focused Homemaker you will also want to read Natalie's post Have You Lost Your First Love. Or reverse the order and read Natalie's post first. After all, if you have forgotten your First Love, then it will be impossible for you to view motherhood as kingdom work.

Often we don't view our daily activities biblically. We wrongly believe that the more mundane the task, the less significant it is to God.  As difficult as it may be to believe, the hands that tenderly bathe your baby at night are no less holy than the hands that serve you communion on Sunday.  Every small act of love to your family - every diaper you change, every meal you prepare, every toilet you scrub, every errand you run, every fever you tend to, each tooth you pull, every moment of undefiled intimacy with your husband - each one is a holy act when it's done as unto the Lord. ~Stacy McDonald