This morning my son begged for scrambled eggs. I indulged him, because, well, I like eggs too. But, as I got his breakfast and everyone else’s ready – I found myself not sitting down to eat my own eggs. I’d warm mine in the microwave – and then, “Mom, I need some juice.” oh right… let me get that. Followed by, “Mom can I have some fruit, too?” oops, hit the reheat button again… and so on, and so on.
When I finally sat down with my eggs and coffee, my eggs were not warm – and they were a bit tough. Definitely not a beautiful culinary experience – but, that doesn’t bother me near like it used to… This is my life as I know it right now.
Motherhood is a balancing act. It is learning to walk the tightrope between teaching independence and serving. I struggle – I lose my balance -leaning far to the right, then far to the left – I fall off completely sometimes… Am I doing too much for them, too little? I mostly have no idea.
However, often I find myself leaning towards the self-centered side of motherhood – looking for my rights, searching to have my needs met, rather than serving my children in love. Yep – that’s how I roll. I find ways to rationalize or excuse myself from service. I’m sinful.
Where are my fresh, hot eggs?
Later this morning while I finished up the breakfast dishes, I thought about my lukewarm, chewy eggs.
And I realized what I need to remember right now, just a few days away from mother’s day. On a day when our culture wants me to believe I should be served, I should be pampered, I should be given gifts – I have to recall the truth: being a mother doesn’t deserve any of these things.
Okay, so I know that sounds harsh, but it is real.
As a follower of Christ, I’m called to be sacrificial, to love, to disciple, whether or not I’m a mother. And in reality, I’m only able fulfill these good works because of the way that Christ has loved me, because of His immense sacrifice. That love and sacrifice activates the same in me. If I am a successful mama to my sweet children, I deserve nothing. If I am successful, it is because of the goodness He has brought about in my life, enabling me to follow His example. Truthfully, He deserves the glory on Mother’s Day, if there’s any to be given on my count.
On this Mother’s Day, I will give thanks and celebrate the work that He continues in my life. May it be so, on every day, not just Mother’s Day!
One of my favorite passages from Ephesians 2, reminds me of His gracious work:
2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly placesin Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
daily portion 