Motherhood and Faith Sharing
When it comes to sharing my faith, my approach has been to look out for those who may need some friendship or support while in the same stage.
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Editor’s Note: Four years ago, a few sisters from Australia began The Seasons Magazine, which focuses on the various seasons of our lives. Tidings is pleased to collaborate with them on our shared interest in parenting, and we plan to publish a few of their articles related to this topic.
The beauty of being a mom is that I now have the time to chat with other parents at the playground or park. They are so often looking for connection and understanding, which really makes me appreciate how blessed we are to have our extended family in Christ, our community, and the sense of belonging that comes with that. I think every young parent should be that lucky and befriending them and offering them a meal or a play date is a subtle way of demonstrating our faith. I will tell them upfront that I am Christadelphian and that I believe in God and let them ask questions if they want to know more. We are told to look out for each other. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NIV).1
My experience of early motherhood so far has been both magical, love-filled, and somewhat exhausting. I am a mom in my mid-30s and have two small energetic toddlers. I found the transition from a career and personal freedom to my new job as a stay-at-home mom sometimes challenging, so I have empathy for other situations, whatever they may be. On the flip side, I am in constant awe of the insane cuteness of small humans and am so grateful to God that I have been blessed with a family.
One of the key lessons in being a mom for me was to learn to surrender. From pregnancy to birth, and then learning how to be a mother, I have had to really embrace that I am not in control and have faith in the power of God to make this miracle unfold. Surrender has continued to be a theme with me finding my feet in my new caregiving role. I truly believe that having children has strengthened my faith and made me want to be more like Christ. I find his incredible example so encouraging, he always put others first and nurtured his family both physically and spiritually.
Early motherhood is a perfect time to slow down and reassess what is important in this life: our faith, our health, our family, and our extended family in Christ. I believe the vulnerability of pregnancy and childbirth encourages us to have a new perspective about our lives and to better look after each other.
The old saying “it takes a village” is so true when it comes to motherhood. We need the wisdom of all ages to help teach our kids and support us in our new role.
On a practical note, attending the meeting and Bible classes has become more about wrangling children, and it’s often hard to listen to a talk properly (or at all). To counter this, I have found that listening to talks at home and talking to my beautiful friends about the Bible to be so spiritually uplifting. As a sister pointed out to me recently, she has never learned more about the Bible since being at home with her kids. Don’t get me wrong, she is very busy. But modern technology means she has the ability to listen to Bible studies throughout her entire day.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:12-15 ESV).
If you are struggling in early motherhood, remember that we are in a season of caregiving that will quickly pass, and then we will miss it! Praying to God, thinking about Christ’s example, and creating a loving tribe around you really helps. While our seasons may be different, we can all be there for each other on our walk to God’s glorious Kingdom.
Seasons Magazine,
Australia