A sense of fulfillment comes when we are rewarded for a job well done. Working in my career, accolades came as year end bonuses, recognition from people I admired or even promotions. The fruits of my labor yielded tangible results and that fueled my sense of purpose. Then, I became a stay at home mom.
After months of tending to my daughters needs and trying to maintain order in our home, I collapsed on my bed one night with the unsettling feeling I had nothing to show for my labor. I earnestly began to look for gold stickers and a star chart.
In this moment of feeling unworthy, I realized how much value was tied to the recognition of others. In addition to my own pride, somewhere along the road of life I bought into the lie that motherhood wasn’t a worthy calling.
More than creating a homemaker or growing me as a mother, God wanted to rebuild His dwelling place. He wanted to renovate my heart.
Fumbling through the transition from career mom to stay at home mom, the one distinct message that kept pounding the chambers of my heart was to do the things no one else sees.
God pressed deep into the pride-driven crevices within and challenged me to be faithful behind closed doors. To give one hundred percent in the small things without searching for recognition from my husband, friends or family members.
Do the things no one else sees, but Me.
When speaking about giving, Jesus said, “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:4 (NLT)
The more I sought to be recognized, the more God humbled me. Eventually I discovered a valuable truth. Motherhood is not only a responsibility and a ministry. It is a gift and an offering. An offering I am to give to the Lord in secret.
I am reminded of what the Lord said to Samuel. “…The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
God is constantly searching the motives of our heart and the purity of our sacrifice. Perhaps it is behind closed doors and quiet times of solitudes, that we become the best role models to our daughters. Isn’t our true integrity revealed when no one is watching?
When we choose to receive the recognition of Christ alone and give Him everything, God reveals the pureness of heart that He desires to not only shape in us, but our daughters as well.
“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
Rather than a paycheck, I receive a bonus round of kisses every night from my girls. They sit beside me just to be near and sometimes they tell me how pretty my hair is even when it’s in a messy bun. Some days I wake up to find the laundry folded, the dishes put away and the feel of gentle kisses on the forehead from a husband heading to work.
God promises to reward those who seek Him earnestly and those rewards far outweigh any recognition the world gives. As for motherhood, this is indeed a high and holy calling even if no one else sees.
21 Comments
Oh Melissa – this is just what I needed today.
What a blessing you are!
YOU are the greater blessing, f’real! I hope I don’t stress you out! Much love to you, my friend.
wonderful reminder of what is most important about our jobs as Moms! Thanks for sharing you heart!
Thank you, Jen. Oh to remember how precious our gift of motherhood is even in the smallest, menial tasks like laundry loads and making sandwhiches….there is freedom and joy in knowing He sees everything…and our children do actually see more than we think…maybe I will get that star chart after all! Haha! Just kidding.
Love the verse from Isaiah! Thanks so much for sharing this!!!
Danielle recently posted..Hebrews 4:12 Stories-Guest Post from Laurin
Me too….a great verse to remember in my role as a wife, too….but that would be for another writing!
Much love to you, Danielle.
Melissa! You do not even know how bad I needed to hear this! I have been struggling with the exact feelings for years. Man….I was just crying the whole time I read your blog. What a blessing it has been to my heart….healing of some sort too! I love you so much for sharing with us all! God sure is using you in ways you may not even fully understand…..I will carry your words with me daily as encouragement and a reminder of who God calls me to be for my family and my home. Thank you so much sister!
I love you muchisimo, girl. I struggle with these same things and what a blessing to know we can encourage each other in all seasons. You and your sweet family truly are a blessing and I know God has wonderful things planned for you.
My friend shared Psalm 8:1-2 this morning: “LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. ”
Isn’t it amazing to know that God uses the praises of our children as our defense and stronghold! That blows my mind and shows just how important motherhood is. Let’s keep on keeping on.
aww so beautifully said. You shared your heart and the things God has taught you. God has a way of revealing His grace, compassion, mercy, knowledge and blessings in our life. Thanks for reminding us the things most important to God for our growth and our priorities. Very will written and a blessing to read. Love you and the family. <3
Thank you! God has brought many tough lessons in my life, but I am thankful He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. May He continued to be glorified in our lives! I love you.
I really needed to hear this as well! I am no longer a stay-at-home mom. I am back to work as a teacher – with my 3 kids in tow. This is so applicable to my job as a wife, mother and teacher! Thank you for this post!
He sees you friend, and He strongly supports you….:)
Thank you for sharing…Kathleen! And i agree, i constantly need to remember this in every role God has placed me in. God is so faithful to meet us mamas no matter where we serve. I pray You don’t grow weary in all the good things you are doing, knowing that in due time you will reap a harvest! Many blessings to you…
Oh, wow. What a blessing for this weary mama’s heart! This met me exactly where I’m sitting this morning. It’s hard to shift your focus to an eternal perspective when we are so accustomed to looking for measurable results. Thank you for sharing your heart; you are not alone.
Oh, thank you Jana…praying we will be renewed and refreshed as we seek satisfaction in Him.
Thank you. Today was a hard day, getting back into the routine after a week away… I needed to be reminded to keep going, and do the things that only My Father in Heaven sees. And to be thankful that I have this gift called ‘children’ to exhaust and challenge me every day.
Anne recently posted..Another Adventure
Amen, Amy! Keep on keeping on…our labor is never in vain and never goes unnoticed!
What a wonderful reminder!
We are growing and learning all the time… even as we raise our children! I have found that to be one of the greatest rewards of motherhood
Blessings!
Amy Hauer recently posted..Expert on Parenting…Kaleb
Thank you, Amy! I agree that God uses our children to refine us and grow us to be more like Christ. At times, they teach me more than I ever teach them. A true blessing indeed.
Melissa,
Thank you!
So glad this was in my inbox today – love seeing your smiling face & reading your beautiful, thoughtful words. As you know, this was an issue for me as well … it took many years for me to view motherhood as a ministry & a very worthy offering. Now, I’m striving for the purposeful over the prideful – in every thing.