5.08.2010

my ministry

Today, I'm adding a post from last year.

Because today all my time and attention is into being a Mommy.

I've been treating this gift, this privilege of motherhood, as a job.
A bone wearying, exhausting, overwhelming round the clock job.
And what a disservice I have done.

God is teaching me, showing me in so many creative ways, that motherhood is a ministry.
Not just any ministry.
The most important service I can do for my King Eternal.

And it's changing my attitude.
It's changing how I view dirty dishes, sleepless nights, and discipline issues.
It's challenging how I spend any spare moment, and how I react if there are no spare moments.

It's filling me with renewed purpose.
And thankfulness.  So much thankfulness.

From last year:




Motherhood--God's Idea!


Listen, Lord,
a mother’s praying
low and quiet:
listen, please.
Listen what her tears
are saying,
see her heart
upon its knees;
lift the load
from her bowed shoulders
till she sees
and understands,
You, Who hold
the worlds together,
hold her problems
in Your hands.
-Ruth Bell Graham

There is so much my heart wants to say about motherhood.  So much.  There is nothing like carrying life within us.  There is nothing like the life our children give to us in return.  There is a beauty in motherhood, a glorious, sacrificial gift that God decided to bless woman with.  Yes, we were the first to bring death into our world (remember Eve).  But God, in his graciousness, made us life givers!  Ours was a great sin, but God gave us even greater mercy.  The amazing mercy of motherhood

It is so wonderful to know that motherhood is an incredible GIFT from Him.  There is no greater joy than to be fulfilling the calling of God upon my life.  This is my purpose, it is what I was created for--to be a mother who loves her God, who loves her family, and who loves her world.   To be a mother who raises her children to love their God and to love their families.  To be a mother who loves.

I posted a poem from Ruth Graham because I am always so inspired by the way she embraced her role as a mother.  She walked out her Kingdom Calling with grace and fortitude.  The path of motherhood is not an easy one, it is one that is tread with the heart, and often the heart gets tread on.  Motherhood is one of God's chosen descriptions of sacrificial love. 

After reading her poem, I felt God begin to whisper His answer to it's prayer.  Here is the poem he gave me in response:

I hear each prayer,
See every task
performed in love,
in selfless acts.
It is you I have
entrusted life to.
Life to carry, hold
and see through.
Know that you are
blessed my daughter,
for it is you I have
called to be
mother.

Happy Mother's Day to you!

May the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts and minds and may you abandon yourself to this great calling! 

21 comments:

Rachel~Wildflower Photography Studio and Wildflower Creative said...

Lovely post, Joye! Thanks for the reminder and Happy Mother's Day to you! :)

Smiles,
rachel

PaisleyJade said...

Beautiful - Happy Mother's Day to you!!!

Free Pretty Things For You said...

this was so touching :)
Happy Mothers day my dear!

Kristin said...

Such a beautiful post, Joye! I think the Lord is trying to teach me to really see the gift He has given me in being a mother too, instead of always searching for more. I hope you have a beautiful Mother's Day Sweet Friend!!

Cynthia said...

Joye, this is beautiful. I love meeting other women who see their vocation to motherhood as a ministry and a gift from God. What a privilege we have been given!

I also LOVE reading your blog. It's fabulous. Happy Mother's Day tomorrow!

{darlene} said...

Happy Mother's Day. I just loved your thoughts, both your former and your new ones from today. How I love this Hardest Job in the World...

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Beautiful post, as always, dear Joye! Motherhood is indeed a most worthy ministry.

Wishing you a blessed Mother's Day...you are such a beautiful mother and I'm so glad to know you.

Much Love,
Kelly

Christina said...

Beautiful pictures, beautiful post! Happy Mother's Day to you!

Pat Harris said...

This is a beautiful post. Happy Mother's Day

carissa said...

so beautiful joy!!! what a privilege it is to be called to this ministry of motherhood! i was getting so worn out trying to force my hunter to eat today (he's stubborn when it comes to eating) and my hubby so graciously reminded me of psalm 127:3 - about children being a gift and a reward!!! how true it is! what a blessing it is to shepherd and raise our little gifts! hope you have a wonderful mother's day, beautiful mama!!!

Mrs Anne said...

this is a beautiful post.
you are a fine example of a mother, woman, friend.

thank you for this.

Unknown said...

Beautiful post! Thanks! Happy Mother's Day!

Lauren said...

This is such a beautiful post Joye!!! I love it! It's one I'm going to keep in my heart and refer back to when Tucker's home! : )

Happy Mother's Day!!! :)

Julie said...

You have a heart of gold. Beautiful post. It's all about perspective, isn't it. This "task" is a true blessing. May we always remember that.

Jennsmere said...

So glad that I stopped by tonight! I so enjoy visiting with you and the post about being a Mother... well, it really spoke to my heart!

You are a blessing to me...
Be blessed, dear one,
Susan

Cole Franke said...

beautiful! You are right that is our first ministry. :) hey I don't know if you noticed but you won the give-away! :) http://lettersfromcoco.blogspot.com/2010/05/100.html

Email me the address you would like your necklace sent to. Happy Mother's day to a wonderful mama!

bakerbus3 said...

Natalie Lafrance (maiden name, sorry, I forgot her married name) but she gave me your blogspot address to look at. I have twins (2 years old) and a 10 month old. Your attitude has been a witness to me and an inspiration. I have now been praying this verse in Colossians as well. I don't know you and haven't met you but you have been a witness to me. Being a mom has been one of the hardest things I have ever done! I still feel like a stumble through the day but I'm learning to lean on my Jesus - learning isn't always fun or easy though:) God Bless you for sharing your heart:)

Mich said...

Beautiful post.

Happy Mother's Day!

Joyeful said...

Dear Bakebus3,

Oh please send me your e-mail! Nothing is easy about raising twins at this age! We can encourage each other! : )

Unknown said...

so cute lovely post i like it

Mikalah said...

I love this post. I'm not a mom yet, but it sure makes me want to be! Please tell me that being a mother is all sunshine and happiness! =) Just kidding, I know it's not, but somehow it's all worth it isn't it?

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