What I learnt this Mother’s Day (by Janet Joy)

Every mom feels special on Mother’s Day. My 7 year old expressed his love for me by recording a video talking about what I mean to him. Lunch was with extended family in Lucknow where nieces and nephews made special drinks and dishes for the mothers letting us know that they appreciate us. A special home made chocolate cake was baked by dear ones. The cake cutting along with cousin sisters and prayer by my uncle for us should have made me feel special but there was a sadness inside of me that told me that I wasn’t good enough for this treatment.

 My WhatsApp inbox was filled with messages of the Role of a Mother and how super moms get everything done in a day. Those messages made me feel inadequate more than anything else. 

With a crawling 10 month old in the house, ‘healthy meals’ that need to be cooked, guests that need to be entertained (pre-lockdown), classes that need to be attended, ministry requirements that need to be fulfilled, I always feel that I don’t have enough time. At the end of day the feeling of discontentment keeps me from enjoying what I have done. My struggle was grading myself as a mom by comparing myself with other moms rather than seeing myself through God’s eyes. 

Hebrews 12:1, 2a- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Yes, that’s what I struggle to do, trying to wear so many different hats and run every single day. I have to admit that I’ve come to points where, I don’t feel motivated to face another day, because in this kind of race, I don’t see the finish line. There is always something to get done.

But this passage is encouraging because it tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. That thought does take a whole load of burden off my chest. What does Fixing my eyes on Jesus tell me?

Fixing my Eyes on Jesus Tells me Who I am

When my eyes are not fixed on Jesus, my surroundings tell me who I am. The unclean dishes in the sink and the laundry that needs to be taken care of tells me that I am not capable. Jesus says, I am adequate as a mom. He has anointed me to mother my 7 year old and 10 month old and take care of household responsibilities. Not because of my own strength. But because of His strength inside of me. 

But that does not mean I don’t strive to reach the bottom of the laundry basket, but it does tell me, even if I’m unable to do so, I will still choose to be joyful because I am loved by Him.

Fixing my eyes on Jesus tells me that I don’t need to be perfect

When my eyes are fixed on Jesus, my priorities changes. Things that I did to look good or receive compliments (and feel worn out at the end of the day), don’t matter anymore.

Motherhood is one among the many other roles that God has called me to fulfill. Even as I recognize that this is my primary role, I cannot ignore the call that God has placed to reach out to others through pastoral care and counseling. 

When all my energy is at home, trying to make things look perfect, God says that it is He who completes me and He gently reminds me it’s time to move on.

Fixing my eyes on Jesus tells me that It is His love that compels me to love.

I carried many models of Home-making and motherhood in my mind. I felt like to make myself look good as a home-maker, I needed to do things like them to be good and to gain others approval. There are other times, when I feel, I don’t have it in me to give-to cook another meal, to give unconditionally. Fixing my eyes on Jesus tells me it is His love that compels me to do things at home for my husband and kids. 

Jesus’ love tells me that my identity does not come from how well I am able to do things for my husband and kids but it is his love that makes me want to be there for them the best I can. It is in His constant love that I am and will always be secure.

An encouragement from a mother to a mother- Even when there seems to be no finish line for us, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. He completes us. Let’s find our security in Him and make our Home a better place to live in. 

#security #serve #adequacy #mothersday #love #identity #fear