There is so much going on right now! If it’s not the insanity of what’s going on in the culture, it’s our oldest 3 kids going off to college or work. Or our youngest weaning and making her mama sad and proud all at the same time, just as she’s supposed to. And of course, there’s always the daily pressure of getting this business known to as many like-minded families as possible.
I have a feeling I’m not the only one. We may have a lot of kids, but others with smaller families seem to be even busier than we are! Driving all over the place for sports and/or different activities. There always seems to be a million different things going on. It will obviously look different in each family, but still. Many demands are there, vying for our attention.
Exhausting
It’s all so exhausting. And yes, there is quite a bit of a sacrifice involved. Especially as mamas (but not to the exclusion of dads out there!), it can often feel as if all you seem to be doing is giving and giving and giving. Clearly, there’s always a balance to be struck. We can’t give when we’re running on empty. We need God’s wisdom and truth to navigate this thing called parenting! But giving of ourselves is inherent to family life.
Narcissistic parents
I was listening to another of my many podcasts this past week that was so sad and ridiculous all at once. Matt Walsh (who literally makes me laugh out loud rather often) was describing how there apparently is a Reddit group that discusses how much some parents hate their children. They write in this group about how much they miss their old, childless lives of traveling and care-free living. One woman talked about how she wanted to leave her baby daddy because parenting was just too much. Or another who lamented the fact that they have this screaming, crying child with issues to have to take care of. All felt as if they were the unknowing, innocent victims of parenthood. And they wanted to be done serving their babies and families.
Our culture has taken the word freedom, and twisted its meaning to be essentially unrecognizable to anyone with a clear definition from as little as a generation ago. Freedom today implies letting go of any self restraints, and doing whatever feels good in the moment. Freedom from responsibilities and family roles rank high on the priority list of many. However, freedom traditionally has implied freedom to do what’s right and good, within certain boundaries.
Guitars
A simple illustration of this concept can be seen from someone who plays an instrument, such as a guitar. The freedom many abide to today would take that guitar and use it as, for example, a plantar. Because wouldn’t that look cool? A guitar plantar? Or else, maybe take that guitar and try to turn it into a violin because it wasn’t tuned right. The manufacturer must have made a mistake, so we need to change it into a violin.
But true freedom is when someone takes that guitar and learns how to play it within the natural constraints of guitar playing. Such as learning chords and melodies appropriately. Learning how to strum and pick the strings. It may sound “confining” to some, however, the purpose of that guitar can only be fully and freely enjoyed when played properly. That’s when not only the person playing the guitar can use it to make beautiful music, but others around that person can enjoy that guitar being played.
The point is, whether we like it or not, we were made to worship, and serve others within boundaries. We first serve the LORD, so that we can best serve others. But serving is part of what we are called to do. Clearly there are those of us who, more than anything, only want to serve ourselves. A prime example are the parents I talked about earlier. Sin warps what God intended for good, and directs it for evil. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that we have an inherent bent to serve and worship.
Hannah’s Children
One of the latest books added to our curated list is called Hannah’s Children. I heard about it from, you guessed it, another podcast I listen to, American Thought Leaders. I love how at one point in the interview, the author recognizes how those of us with larger families are definitely sacrificing a lot. However, simultaneously we are blessed in our obedience and faith in God.
Sacrificing and giving of ourselves can be so hard. But simultaneously, sacrificing and giving of ourselves can be such a tremendous blessing. Sacrificing for a business or work is usually highly regarded. But that job or business is not nearly as important as the blessings of family and friends surrounding us. We should prioritize things in the right way, with God as the absolute authority and priority, with family second, everything else after that, and ourselves last. This may be at the expense of our own momentary comforts and dreams. However, what’s so incredibly beautiful is that we give up the momentary for the extraordinary. We give up so much less than we get.
Can’t out give God
We truly can not out give God. He is so ready and anxious to bless us when we walk faithfully and obediently with Him. There are so many examples of this in the Bible, but the best one is when the Israelites were waiting for a Messiah who would fight for their earthly freedom. But how much more incredible was the LORD’s plan? He gave us a Messiah who fought for our spiritual freedom, which leads to our redemption and eternal life with Him.
His plans are better. Always. Even when it hurts, or when it’s hard, or uncomfortable, or doesn’t make sense.
Not everyone is called to have a large family, but that’s not the point. The point is obeying God, giving of ourselves freely where we’re at, and placing our faith in Him, whatever the circumstances.
God is good, all the time! And all the time, God is good.
Amen?
