I have sat through so many messages at church about “what is your calling?” and I can’t even tell you how frustrating it can be to keep hearing the same thing over and over again.
For as long as I can remember, ever time I’ve heard one of these messages, I’ve asked the Lord, “what is my calling?”, and every single time I hear the same answer –
You are called to be a mom.”
And my response is, “Seriously Lord, can’t I have a ‘cooler’ calling than to be a mom?”
Honestly for years I was a little annoyed every time the Lord and I would have this conversation, until one day I realized that being a mom isn’t a lame calling at all, it’s actually a HUGE calling.
It definitely doesn’t sound cool when you’re friends are saying things like, “I’m called to the nations”, “I’m called to be the president of a bank” or “I’m called to end trafficking”! Replying with, “yeah well I’m called to be a mom, so beat that!” doesn’t really have the same “wow factor” so I usually just keep my mouth shut, however being a mom is probably an even greater calling than all the others put together!
When you become a mom, it means God has entrusted you with one of His children. He has given you one of the greatest responsibilities of all time – raising His child to know who they are in Him and to do His will.
However in order to do that successfully we have to do the work to know who we are.
Without being grounded in the Lord it is impossible to raise our children the way we are called to, but when we lean into Him, He is faithful to give us wisdom and teach us His ways.
But Lord, your endless love stretches from one eternity to the other, unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you and those who bow face down in awe before you! Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren and beyond. You are faithful to all those who follow your ways and keep your Word.” Psalm 103:17-18 (tPt)
I know as moms we get tired of “just being a mom” but when we can shift our focus from that selfish perspective to the Lord’s perspective, suddenly being a mom becomes a great honor, instead of a lame calling.
When your kids grow up to be world changers, warriors for the Kingdom, business leaders, etc. you get to be the one who says, “I was called to be a mom and I raised God’s child to be a world changer!”. How cool is that?!
But it doesn’t happen over night. Being a mom is one of the greatest callings but it’s also one of the hardest because you can’t do it on your own. You will fail at your calling if you aren’t in a continuous relationship with the Lord. You won’t know what to do when your child acts out, when you don’t seek the Lord for wisdom. God knew it would take strong people to raise His kids, which is why He gave the task to women, but when you lean on your own strength to do a job that was meant for both of you, you will fail.
Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (tPt)
God called you to be a mom but He never called you to do it on your own. His intention was always to co-parent with you (and your spouse). If you ask Him, He will give you strategies, He will give you wisdom, He will give you strength, in fact, He will give you everything you need, all you have to do is ask.
And the best part is, that everything He gives you, you get to pass down to your children. His wisdom will benefit you, but it will also benefit your children and help them to be successful in their calling from the Lord!
Pay close attention, my child, to your father’s wise words and never forget your mother’s instructions. For their insight will bring you success, adorning you with grace-filled thoughts and giving you reins to guide your decisions.” Proverbs 1:8-9 (tPt)
After my initial annoyance at the Lord for always giving me the same calling, I have grown to see it as a huge honor, something I get to do with the Lord because He trusts me.
There are definitely moments when I snap and want to scream, I mean, come on, I’m only human, but then there are moments when I get to walk out on a stage with my daughter and stand next to her as she prays a blessing over our city leaders at the opening of the State of the City Address.
There are days where I’d rather check my email than put her to bed because I’m so freakin’ annoyed at her attitude, but then there are mornings I wake up to her notes telling me I’m the “best mom in the world”, or this drawing.
There are times I see her pick a flower and give it to a total stranger, or go out of her way to stop and tell someone she likes their shirt and they look pretty. All of those moments make the “I want to rip my hair out” moments worth it. It’s those moments when I well up with pride and thank the Lord for helping me raise a leader and an encourager.
Being called to be a mom is not a lame calling, it’s the greatest calling. We get to partner with the Lord to raise the most incredible people and then our hearts get to be filled with joy and gratitude as we sit back and watch them love people and change the world.
Shout in celebration of praise to the Lord! Everyone who loves the Lord and delights in Him will cherish His words and be blessed beyond expectation! Their descendants will be prosperous and influential. Every generation of His godly lovers will experience His favor! Great blessing and wealth fill the house of the wise, for they will walk in the way of the righteous.” Psalm 112:1-3
Thank you. What an incredible post and I think I should read it every morning!!! So timely for me today with my kids.
Ahh, thank you! Yes, I think I need to read it often too, it’s a good reminder from time to time. 🙂