I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1-2
My four-year-old daughter Jocelyn has this new obsession with making little gifts for people. However, hers are not gifts of the traditional sort. They’re not useful, beautiful, or even recognizable. They are visions from her imagination, and usually consist of scraps of paper, stickers, markers, crayons, an envelope, and random bits of trash that she attaches to the finished product by using almost an entire roll of adhesive tape. Most times, the recipient has a confused look on her face as she unwraps one of these items of no value, that looks, in truth, like a mess. But I see it differently. I watch her make them. I see the time and effort Jocelyn invests in each and every one of these creations, sitting at her little table with her head bent, focusing all of her attention, pouring out her love as she does it. These creations hold her entire heart, making each one of them a masterpiece.
I have been a mother for over ten years now. Despite all that “in the trenches” experience, most days I’m chasing my tail, trying to keep all the balls of motherhood up in the air. But no matter how hard I try, those balls routinely come crashing down around me.
On those days, I look around my house and all I see are piles and stacks: piles of unfolded clean laundry, piles of dirty laundry, stacks of papers, piles of dirty dishes, stacks of overdue library books. Most times I have a look of confusion on my face, and such a feeling of frustration in my heart. I work and I work, yet none of the piles and stacks seem to go away. How can that be? I’ve talked to enough moms of young kids to know that I’m not alone in this scenario: we’re spinning our wheels, and all we have to show for it is one big mess.
But God sees it differently. God watches over us always. He sees the time and effort we invest in our motherhood as we work hard, our heads bent, focusing on the tasks at hand. He sees us pouring out our love as we do our tasks. He sees that each of our kids hold our entire heart.
We think we’re just cleaning, feeding, clothing, and loving our children. But as Matthew 25:40 says, God sees these things that we’re doing for our children as direct acts of love for His Son, Jesus. That alone makes all of our efforts, that feel so futile, holy. Those efforts become masterpieces in God’s eyes, the piles and stacks adding color, texture, and vibrancy to our pieces of art.
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. On Mother’s Day, we need to hold these masterpieces of our motherhood up, and admire them as if we were looking at them through God’s eyes.
Moms, receive the fact that God chose you, specifically you, for one of the highest callings ever: motherhood. God does not make mistakes. He chose you, and then perfectly paired you with your children, not anyone else’s. Sure, someone else can cook for your kids, clothe your kids, or clean your house. But no one, no one can mother your children like God knows you can. That fact alone is a gift, one we moms are so fortunate to receive. Don’t be like the people who get one of Jocelyn’s gifts, just see the mess, and then put it in the recycle bin. Know that you are living out a blessed purpose.
And on those bad mothering days, when nothing seems to be going right, when you’re buried under the stacks and piles, and no one seems to be grateful for what you do, know that God sees you. God sees the beauty of your motherhood, in the midst of the mess. He knows the love you invest in it all. And when that mess holds your entire heart, that mess turns into a motherhood masterpiece.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Please feel free to forward this to any and all amazing moms that you know!
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Shifting My Perspective 
This was beautiful Claire and an absolute gift for me this week. Thanks for reminding me that this role was a gift from God and that despite the crazy and mess (which this week has been), that he sees the beauty in it all. Happy Mother’s Day to you my friend!! It truly has been a week to celebrate Claire with your birthday and Mother’s Day in the same week!!
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Thanks so much Jess! And thanks for being such a wonderful example of motherhood that holds your entire heart. You inspire me with how much you invest yourself. Happy Mother’s Day!!!
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Claire, as always, you remind us that what seems the humdrum and hurry of every day life, is truly part of God;s plan for all of us. We are meant to look past the chaos and find joy and purpose . What better purpose than raising children to see the beauty in all things, even scraps of paper, color, etc that they use to show love and appreciation. That in itself is a reflection of your love and proof that you live up to your ‘Noble Calling”!!
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Thanks so much Mom! It’s your example of motherhood that I strive to live up to everyday. Thanks for always seeing the beautiful in everything! Happy Mother’s Day!!!
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Thanks for the reminder that, though my life is crazy and I feel completely overwhelmed, I am so blessed to have 2 beautiful boys who call me Mom! I am so thankful that God gave me these children and trusts me to raise them more than I trust myself.
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And lucky boys they are, Pam! I don’t know of a more invested advocate than you. God certainly knew what He was doing when He paired you with those beautiful boys!
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