Can the role of mother be the most fulfilling?
We celebrate those who are moms on Mothers’ Day with a flower in church and maybe a sermon on honoring our mothers, but most days the job can be thankless, unnoticed and under-appreciated.
Many women feel pressure to justify why they haven’t gone back to work, conceding that they are “just a mother” and are left wondering if they are making a big enough contribution. Even as Christians we tend to look at real jobs as being only those performed outside the home.
Sue Bohlin, an associate speaker with Probe Ministries, once answered a question she received regarding her author bio, where she mentions that being a wife and mother is her most important role.
The curious reader wrote:
Sue,
Does it not bother you that your various and vast achievements in both academic and spiritual realms are completely overshadowed by your domestication and motherhood…
Sue responded:
…I have been blessed to be able to live a rich and varied life, but all of my “achievements” pale markedly compared to the sweetness of my most important relationships with my husband and sons. For example, my work as a speaker and writer and webservant for Probe Ministries, as wonderful as that is, can’t begin to hold a candle to the joy of loving and influencing the men God has given me to love and influence. I believe that God means for women to be most deeply fulfilled by our relationships, because He made us so relational. My “mark” on the world, I assure you, is far greater in my various relationships compared to the lectures I’ve given or the website I built. You might not ever be able to see the difference I make as Ray’s wife or Curt and Kevin’s mom, but believe me, as they all make their marks on the world, I can see it…
This is just a portion of what Sue wrote in response to the question. Read the rest on Probe.org as well as her article 5 Lies the Church Tells Women.
What do you think of Sue’s response? Do you agree or disagree?
Tags: Family, Mother's Day, motherhood, mothers, probe.org, Sue Bohlin, wife, Women
2 Responses to “Can the role of mother be the most fulfilling?”
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Sarah, I am so honored that you republished my remarks on your blog! Thank you!
Daphnee, you keep serving the Lord in the sphere He gave you. The most important things in life happen in the unseen realm. But those who only have eyes for the material world can’t see that, and will hassle you for it. If you keep your eyes and Jesus and open your heart to His affirmations through various sources, you can stand against the hassling of those who don’t see what you see.
Hi there,
I always feel blessed when I can read about women who take God’s word seriously. I feel so tired to explain to friends and family why I work from home so I can raised our three beautiful blessings 1 girl and 2 boys. The guilt which sometimes takes over my joy of being obedient to my God is overwheming. If it wasn’t for the support of my husband and 2 friends from church I would have given up a long time ago so I ask you please pray for me so I can continue doing (through the help of the Holly Spirit working in me) my job as a mom. I might not be popular right now but very happy and even more when my daughter whisper in my ear “you are the best mommy ever”. Sue I believe what you say because I am living and seeing my mark on my family members too.
Thank you for voicing the truth without shame.
Daphnee