What the Manger Taught Me About Motherhood

Last Updated on March 11, 2024

Every day, day after day, for over 20 years, I have been immersed in the task of mothering. No one told me before I was handed that swaddled bundle how all-consuming the role of motherhood was going to be, or how my heart would be forever altered.

My heart has swollen a few sizes larger from the love that has grown there. A deep love whose swelling has come at a cost. The cost of daily dying to self as I choose to serve the needs of my children and my husband above myself. Choosing to build a family with the end in mind.

Thankfully I was taught by those older and wiser, that in my life the building of a home and God-honoring children would require intentionality and purpose, by my husband and me and that we needed to be willing to work together for God’s purposes.

Here is what I know: Though we don’t know the outcome or exact purpose God has in mind for our children, our willingness to put in the hours and to be yielded to His direction is our gift to the Father. What He does with our time and effort is entirely up to Him.

You never know what God will do with your obedience to the task of parenting.

I have a new and odd wondering I have been contemplating regarding the manger, a question that God brought to mind that has been tumbling through my thoughts.

Who built the manger?

Did he think the task was too menial?

Was he weary and tired from the task?

Did he want to build something more grand?

Did he dream of working in a way that would bring him glory and attention?

Did he wrestle with the assumption that what he was putting his time and effort into was not for a big enough purpose?

How could he know the plans God had for that little manger?

The Savior of the world was going to rest there and do great things.

[verse reference=”John 1:14″]The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.[/verse]

Psst… Mom, do you see it?

The Savior of the world has the potential to rest within those whom you are building, and through your children, do great things for the Father’s glory. That truly is a cause for awe.

Take care to put your time, talents and energy into selflessly building well.

 

{Editor’s Note: This post was first shared on MomLife Today in December of 2014, we hope it blesses you moms, as you ponder His plans for what you are building.}