Motherhood

Our son was born May 8th, 2023. It’s been some time since we’ve had sleepless nights and newborn cries, as our first born is almost five, born September of 2018. The transition from 1-2 kids has it’s challenges with dividing my time and attention while sleep deprived. It’s difficult to serve my family half asleep. However, it’s in these difficult times where God is asking me to first serve Him.

“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

I must accept the Lord’s love and submit to his authority in order to serve him well. Scripture says, “for the Lord disciplines the ones he loves” (Hebrews 12:6).  

During one of those sleepless nights with endless baby rocking, and not-so-holy words raging out of my mouth, I thought to myself, “am I being disciplined by God?” My patience is tested, my response to exhaustion is horrid not holy... Lord, help me! How do you know you’re being disciplined by God? By the confrontation of sin paired with the trial you’re facing. He disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:6). God loves us. Therefore, by His Spirit, He convicts us with counsel and purpose to change us to be more like Him. To help us love our children like He does. 

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). 

In motherhood, I want to please the Lord in midst of the sacrifice, selflessness and struggle it can bring. The question is, how? How do I turn my attention to the greater purpose of parenting rather than viewing it as an immediate problem? How do I lean into God rather than away from Him? Do I easily turn to sin or submission to the Father? How can I remove ongoing sin that so easily entangles me?

This is how...

1. Acknowledge the greater authority – fear the Lord.

- View motherhood as an opportunity to walk in obedience.

- “...we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?” (Hebrews 12:9).

2. Accept his love, including his discipline.

- Believe in His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

- “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons” (Hebrews 12:7). 

3. Have hope for the future and receive God’s grace for the present.

- Receive the grace of Jesus Christ who shed his blood, so we can have forgiveness of sins.  

- “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled...” (Hebrews 12:15).

As mothers, in every stage, we are not alone – God is with us. He carries us like we carry our own, but perfectly. By faith we can accept the challenges of motherhood as purposeful not problematic, because we know God is with us. He’s in the good and in the bad moments. He equips us by his Spirit to persevere. He empowers and gives strength through the victory in Jesus Christ. He helps us to endure to produce hope in our lives. Therefore, I accept the challenges motherhood brings since my joy is not dependant on my circumstance, but on my relationship with God, my Heavenly Father. 

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58).

Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Written by Emily Aspinall @theblazedtrail | www.theblazedtrail.com

Photos from a recent newborn session with Emily and her family.