Laying down

A few years ago some words that a family member had spoken were passed along to me. They were something along the lines of supposing that I must be miserable because I stay at home and have a bundle of kids.

I won’t say these words had no sting, but I also don’t think this person lives with a Christian worldview. How can I expect them to understand the beauty of this life I live?

I can without a doubt say that I am happier and more full of peace now, with almost 7 kids than I was with just 1 or 2. Over the course of 15 years I have accepted, bit by bit, the call on my life to be a mother. Yes, the Lord calls mothers as well as missionaries and preachers.

I’ve had lots of dreams and desires that I would like to accomplish in my life, but none of them compare to the great task of motherhood that God has put in front of me. The more I’ve laid distractions down and become obedient to my call, the easier and happier my life has gotten.

I know that someday the kids will grow and the Lord will likely shift my life a bit. Family will always comes first, but with more capacity maybe of those dreams and desires will be back on the table. And if not, then I know there is something even better in store.

People often ask me if I ever thought I would mother 7 children. And no, I honestly don’t even know if 3 kids was on my radar. But through a continuous process (oh it never ends!) of laying down of myself I have discovered a life of beauty in something I could have only imagined for someone else better than me. I was certainly not born with enough patience and kindness to mother all of these children, but the Lord has provided in the darkest times of my life and it has always been more than enough.