“Thou art my God since my mother bare me.”
~ Psalm 22:10
Being a mom is one of the greatest responsibilities bestowed on a human. If you compare it to other things God asks us to do it can be overwhelming.
I sing on our worship team at church. If I mess up on this ministry, what is the worse that could happen? I sing a flat note? I go a little off key? I might even prevent someone from entering into worship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—but only temporarily. The ministry of being a mother entrusted with influencing another life is much more awesome in comparison.
Now the purpose of this observation is not to frighten you—but encourage you—honestly.
Take a good look at the children God has entrusted you with. Whether they are 2 or 52 they still need YOUR influence in their lives. God has given YOU unique talents, gifts and qualities perfectly suited to mould and encourage the lives that you parent. He knit you together in your mother’s womb—knowing exactly what qualities you would need for His perfect plan. He is the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End. He saw your child’s life before you were formed. He knew your shortcomings. You were fearfully and wonderfully made.
What amazes me most about the job of a mom is how unrewarding it APPEARS. Sure you get the odd “I love you mom” or a homemade card on Mother’s day—but does that really make it all worthwhile?
When you wash dirty dishes, dirty laundry and dirty faces, do you get a big “thank you?” When you go without sleep just to keep up, does anyone appear to care? When you do without and are thrifty with resources so that your family can have that special something, does anyone notice the sacrifice? The words you impart into their sweet hearts often seem to land on deaf ears. Yet, after all that work and sacrifice, it is mom who lies awake at night worrying about whether she is doing or has done a good enough job.
Remember God made who you are. God loves who you are. He knew exactly what you would, and wouldn’t do. He imparted to you all that was necessary to equip your child for a relationship with Him. If He needed you to be perfect He would have made you that way.
Some mom’s receive a partial reward when they see the life they formed seeking after God. Other mother’s pass away, before ever seeing the outcome of their efforts. What drives mothers and keeps them going, is that in their hearts, mothers know the real reward is not to be found on this earth—it awaits them. A reward bestowed by their Heavenly Father, who sees and knows each and EVERY sacrifice they’ve made.
So, mom, next time you are feeling unworthy and like you didn’t do enough—take comfort in knowing that you did exactly what God expected you to. Thank Him for the precious life he entrusted you with, and wait with joy for your reward is not of this earth.
Here are a couple of cake recipes that my mom passed on to me. I remember many Saturday afternoons as a young girl, shredding carrots with my mom for our cake, then later topping that cake with a delicious cream cheese icing that she taught me to make. And I could never forget her Date Cake, for it’s truly my favorite of them all.
Carrot Cake
Bake 350°F
1 Hour
Ingredients:
3C shredded carrots
4 eggs
2C sugar
2C flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1C corn oil (add last)
Procedure:
Mix eggs and sugar. Then add shredded carrots.
In a separate bowl sift dry ingredients together. Add to carrot mixture. Pour oil over all ingredients and mix.
Pour into greased 9” x 12” pan (or bundt pan) and bake.
Top with cream cheese icing.
Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
2 oz Cream cheese
1 C Icing sugar
1/4C butter
1 tsp vanilla
Procedure:
Combine ingredients and spread over carrot cake.
Mom’s Date Cake
Bake 350°F 30 minutes
Ingredients
Oat Mixture:
1 ¼ C rolled oats
1 ¾ C flour
1 ½ C brown sugar
1 C butter
1 tsp baking soda
2 T lemon juice
Date Filling:
1 ½ C dates
¼ C brown sugar
1T lemon juice
Procedure:
Mix ingredients in oat mixture together until crumbly. Put half of mixture in bottom of 9” x12” cake pan.
Put ingredients of date filling in small saucepan with enough water to cover dates. Bring to a boil. Simmer until thick. Stir constantly. When cool spread over oat mixture.
Place remainder of oat mixture over top of dates in pan and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.