Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman

Author:Gloria Furman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crossway

To be sure, mothers do make sacrifices for their children in a thousand little ways each day. But we have to define and evaluate these things with an eternal perspective. Like Livingstone we should ask: Is that service to my child a sacrifice that brings its own blest reward in their well-being, the consciousness of serving God, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny? Conversely stated, when a mother triumphs in the gospel, her bright hope in Jesus outshines any earthly gain she could have had from holding back from her child Jesus’s sacrificial love.

So when we consider the calling, the work, and the sacrifices of motherhood in this light, with a thrill in our heart we can say that we have never made a sacrifice.

LOVING YOUR KIDS TO THE GLORY OF GOD ALONE

It is also possible that deeds done in the name of love for a child can be exhibitions of how our hearts are like idol factories. I shudder to think of how often I justify my self-worship under the guise of “because I love my children” and exalt myself or my children to the position of God. I make much of my children and child-raising preferences, and I make little of God. This remains a huge temptation for me as I fall into this ego trap all the time, and that’s why I am so thankful for how the gospel frees me from seeking my glory in parenting or in my kids. My children, although they probably can’t articulate it yet, are relieved that when I treasure Jesus, they are freed from the burden of being the center of my world. No child should have to shoulder the weight of her mother’s glory and reputation.

Every mother can be freed from seeking her own glory as she loves her children for the sake of Jesus’s name being made famous among the nations. Perhaps the most pertinent correction I’ve received in light of this temptation is what Jesus told Paul about boasting: “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Do I want the power of Christ to rest on me as I mother my children? Yes, please! Then I need Jesus to free me from my craving to be worshiped for my mothering. I need to own up to my weaknesses to that I can prize Christ’s power.

God’s sovereign grace releases me from the worry that I’m doing a haphazard job of orchestrating my children’s lives for them. The gospel reminds me that a mother’s plans are not ultimate; God’s are. God is the one who has created these children, and he has far more intentional intentions to glorify himself through these kids than I could ever dream up. God made these children for himself—for his name’s sake.

Every mitochondrion in their little bodies exists for God’s glory.

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