...for speaking this next week, I have come across such great Scripture and inspiration in the book, Womanly Dominion by Mark Chanski. It is a great book!
Here's a great quote:
"I know that some jobs don't really count, don't make much of a difference, don't actually matter that much, don't have much lasting significance. Not so with mothering. I know that in some jobs the worker is only handling cleaning equipment, or car parts, or computer keyboards, or insurance policies, or court cases, or political legislation, or stockholders' funds. Not so with mothering. A mother is handling things of a far greater magnitude. She's handling never-dying souls. She's daily conducting heart surgery on eternal spirits whose forever destinies are influenced most profoundly by the hands that rock their cradles, wipe their noses, spank their fannies, open their Bibles, prepare their after-school snacks, and turn off their bedroom lights. Those motherly hands are molding characters which will become men and women who will turn the world upside down either for good or for evil. Now that's a job that counts. " Womanly Dominion, page 108-109
What do you think? If you are a mother, do you feel like it counts this much? 
Saturday, November 07, 2009
As I Prepare....
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24 comments:
WOW~ Thanks Joy!
This is just what I needed to hear. While in the midst of staying home, in a one car family (confined at home many days), homeschooling the girls with the same tasks day to day. But you know what...YES, it does matter and it is one of the most important jobs! I just have to remember to view this job from this angle. I truly am grateful & blessed. :)
Thanks for the encouragement to start off this busy weekend. Have a blessed one with your family!
Blessings,
Denise
Amen! Really that's all I can say to that...Amen! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Blessings, Fine Linen
I think Mothering is THAT important, but, as the Mother, we usually forget it in all our busyness. Thank you for the reminder. Hope your Speaking Arrangement goes well.
Kathi
Oh, I like that. As a mother whose children are grown, I know this to be true. Everything you younger moms do now will count later.
What a beautiful reminder, someone told me the other day I should always remember that my daughter will some day leave Home and I should be living and nurturing my marriage more than other things in my life, but the way I feel is that yes, my daughter will leave and it will be my husband and I, but when she does leave, who is she going to be as a person? who will I have nurtured and raised? will she love God? will she have learned to love others genuinely? ... Our job as mothers is so sweet so retributive and beautiful, thank you Joy!
I think this is so true. If only our culture believed this, if only Christian women believed this!
This is so beautiful Joy. I do agree with this totally, but so often it is easy to forget it...especially when so much in the world says that staying at home is not a "real" job. How wrong they are! Thank you for this reminder.
Thank you for this excerpt. It is so encouraging to me!
Awesome quote and worth copying and pasting to my files! Thanks for sharing! I'd also like to invite you to my blog: www.jolenesupdates.blogspot.com
I am a missionary's wife too and love serving the Lord in such a capacity! He is worthy! (And, yes, those runny little noses that we clean are worth it too!)
I *heart* this!!!
I'm going to go share it with others!
Powerful quote, Joy! Thanks for sharing. However, as important as the job of mother is and as much impact as it has on eternity, there will come a time when our children are responsible for their own actions and we should be careful not to burden ourselves with guilt for their sinful choices. So, I do as much as I can now... and pray for her future.
Thanks Joy! I have a favortie quote, kind of along the same lines...this one from Dorothy Patterson: “No professional pursuit so uniquely combines the most menial tasks (wiping noses and bottoms) with the most meaningful opportunities (listening to them share their heart while tucking them in for bed, leading them to our Savior with the example of my life ).” words in parenthesis are my additions – I have to continually remind myself that these menial jobs may seem unimportant, but when done in love, they demonstrate my Savior’s love to my family. Hope M2M goes well - I so wish I could be there to cheer you on! :) Hugs.
I do! As difficult as it can be at times--I know you understand, fellow mommy of twins--it IS the best job around. :)
yes it matters, especially when we remember "whatsoever ye do, do unto the Lord"; kinda helps keep flagging spirits up!! good luck with your speaking!
Yes!! What a great quote.
Thanks for sharing, that was beautiful. I always tell my kids I have the best job in the world.
Blessings,
Marcia
Amen and yes it counts this much. I'm in a season of discipling a budding young woman and helping a little man tame the impulses of anger. And I'm having to clear everything else off of my plate to have the energy to do so. Thanks for the quote and encouragement. I will be praying for you DURING your speaking engagement! It is on my calendar!
Oh, my favorite is Elizabeth Elliot's wisdom on mothering! Nothing we do is insignificant when we do it for the cause of Christ.
i definitly KNOW it counts!! but like many others, I doubt on those hard days! or i should say... i promptly forget the significance of my role & quickly become self centered...thanks for the great reminder!!
I do think it is *that* important. But I think whatever we do can be *that* important, because we are called to live lives of full surrender to the glory of God, so even changing printer parts, if we are living lives filled with the fruit of the spirit it doesn't matter WHAT we are doing, it can impact and minister to SOMEONE. I think of "children" in the spiritual sense, the way Paul considered Timothy his spiritual son. Every one whose life brushes ours gives us an opportunity to make a difference by being Christ's ambassador. For me, now, that is primarily with my children, but there are always other people around too and we can't underestimate the influence and affect our example and testimony is to those who are watching us.
I agree. As mothers we can change our world. God bless you. Doylene
Absolutely it matters!! :) Your blog is always so uplifting, it's a blessing to me.
Love this quote, do you mind if I use it on my blog???
Joy - such an encouraging quote! Did you take down the link to get to your talk? I was really looking forward to hearing it.
Please repost - or send me the information.
Thanks!
Shannon
Yes, I would love to hear your talk too, Joy. I missed the link. Could you post it.
Holly
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