“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matt. 25:21
As mothers, so many things we do each day seem to lack significance, immediate results, and appreciation from others. So many days we collapse into our pillows at night, just wanting a hug or reassurance that we are doing a good job. Many times, instead of receiving this comfort, we either receive no response from others or else we receive judgment.
Our current culture either tells us 1) You aren’t doing enough or 2) You need to go back to work. We are often told that we need to always feed healthy meals to our kids, not let them have any screen time, read to them all day long, spend countless hours outside, etc. So at the end of a hard day of changing diapers, wiping noses, cleaning up messes, and answering questions, instead of feeling accomplished and fulfilled, we end up feeling defeated and tired.
So I want to encourage you, mama. If you are trying your best…you are doing a good job. If you love your children with all your heart…you are doing a good job. If you are learning and growing each day…you are doing a good job.
Also, please remember that your day should not be measured by your own, or other people’s, approval and accolades. Instead, your day should be measured by your faithfulness to Jesus, and His faithfulness to you.
First of all, Jesus gave you these children as a test of your faithfulness. From the Bible, do you remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25? This parable is referencing how to be ready for the second coming of Jesus. To one man he gave one talent, to another two talents, and to another five talents. Both the man with two talents and the man with five talents invested it and made more money. In response, Jesus told both of them, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:21)
When you ask Jesus to guide your parenting every moment of the day, and you try your best to follow His promptings, you are showing yourself to be faithful. And He is ever so proud of you!
Secondly, to Jesus, you have the most important job on earth – molding children’s character into His likeness. Also, in Matthew 25 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt. 25:40)
Many times it feels like 95% of things we do as moms goes unrecognized or unseen, but to Jesus, NOTHING you do or endure with your children goes unseen. Every nose you wipe, diaper you change, mess you clean up, tear you wipe…Jesus sees it all. He sees that you were up all night long taking care of your sick baby (when you could’ve slept and ignored him). He sees that you talk sweetly to your child even when you feel like yelling. He sees how you get up out of bed early each morning to make your kids’ breakfast (even when you’ve been up most of the night before). He sees your faithfulness each moment of every day. He also sees your difficulties, your tears, your anxieties, etc. He sees it all. He is your faithful witness.
Lastly, some days you won’t be as faithful. Some days you will get impatient, lose your temper, slack on things, but remember, Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor. 12:9). Jesus doesn’t ask for perfection. He just asks for growth and for your best intentions. Ask forgiveness from him (and maybe your children if appropriate), and accept His grace. He sees your heart. He sees how much you love your children.
In conclusion, perhaps on the hardest of days, instead of focusing on how tired or overwhelmed you are, or how little you feel appreciated, focus on going to heaven, looking into Jesus’ face, and hearing Him say, “Well done, Mama!”
Please comment below if this article has been an encouragement for you.