Motherhood not only changed who I am, it changed how I see God.
With becoming a mom for the first time, I was expecting (as much as anyone can, at least) to experience the lack of sleep and lack of freedom that everyone talks about. But, what I didn’t expect was to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for God’s character as Creator, Sustainer, and Sanctifier. Not once, but twice.
When I initially imagined being a stay-at-home Christian mom, I would picture slow days at home. Days with perfectly conducted Bible studies in the morning. Dinner already on the table for my husband when he arrived home from work.
But now with two kids under 2 years old, life feels faster than ever.
Days are full of diaper changes, making dinner, going to appointments, calling the insurance company and more. One thing after the next to keep my family taken care of.
I have started doing morning devotions with my children. But most of the time, the toddler is running on the couch and repeatedly asking to play his favorite song for the fifth time that day all while the baby is ready to eat.
However, despite constantly going from one thing to the next, with only a few moments a day to myself, I’ve experienced a deep satisfaction in the Lord and the life He has called me to. I’ve palpably felt my dependency on Him grow in ways I’ve never felt before. The daily work and care for my children has helped me abide in Christ so richly.
God as Creator
With each birth, I’ve come to know Him more deeply as Creator.
It’s a blessing to get to partner with God in the creation of a human being. Literally-love materialized. The way He creates a human in a hidden place within women’s wombs and brings about a new soul with a personality of its own is a miracle.
It’s so special to know that God waited for all time to bring this specific soul to be under my care and authority to help rear them to love God. It’s such an honor and privilege. A weighty one.
Christ as Sustainer
Not only with God as Creator, but also with Christ as Sustainer. As a SAHM, there have been times when it really hit home that it’s on me.
My husband is a HUGE help and I can truly feel his absence when he’s away for work. And I’m always ready for him to come home immediately, haha! But at the end of the day, this is my domain and it’s my role to make sure the seemingly small tasks are taken care of for the house and family.
There’s many moments when I haven’t been able to see how I’d get to the next day or even the next moment. All the weight can feel particularly heavy at times, especially with sickness, tiredness, and dealing with big emotions from little ones.
It’s in these moments though when I call on the name of Jesus and beg Him for strength. When it feels like I’m barely keeping it all together, I’m reminded that Jesus is holding me together. But not just me, my family too. God’s power is made strong in my weakness.
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”- Colossians 1:17
Holy Spirit as Sanctifier
Lastly, I’ve come to know the Holy Spirit as Sanctifier.
Our world tells us that children can hinder a full life. A full life where you have control over your time, money, sleep, talent and dreams. But God tells us children are a blessing.
Perhaps, in addition to them bringing joy to the world through their innocence, they are also a blessing in how they help sanctify us. Because through the selflessness they require from us, we’re becoming more and more like Christ.
Perhaps, in addition to them bringing joy to the world through their innocence, they are also a blessing in how they help sanctify us. Because through the selflessness they require from us, we’re becoming more and more like Christ.
Raising children brings about a sanctification that goes beyond even marriage because we’re charged with caring for little humans that can’t do for themselves. So we’re constantly required to get over our preferences and comforts to meet their needs.
Taking care of my children has helped me come face-to-face with my sinful, selfish nature and run to Christ for help in dying to myself. When we care for the needs of others before our own, we become like Christ who emptied Himself and gave Himself up that we may live.
Raising two young children has helped me further see that just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s not good. If anything, anything good is worth working hard for.
Living day-to-day as a mom has helped deepen my relationship with God. Instead of reading about Him as Creator, Sustainer and Sanctifier in His Word, I’ve experienced it first hand as He holds me in His hand.
Jamila Ellis
Raising two young children has helped me further see that just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s not good. If anything, anything good is worth working hard for.
I pray this post has helped you reflect on God’s character and how it becomes more personal on our motherhood journeys. If you’re a mom, please comment below and let me know how you’ve encountered God differently since becoming a mom.
