"Cause we bear the light of the Son of Man"

Today I read an article about how our civilization is hostile to parenting. It said something along these lines, “Long ago, our society decided where children are ranked. It’s below finishing college, seeing the world, the hope of having a decent job, disciplining one’s body at the gym, and simply having the freedom to drop everything and do whatever whenever.”  I can see that. There are countless bucket lists and to-do lists online describing all the things that need to happen before someone can be “ready to start a family.” I don’t think any of these things are bad. The problem occurs when we start seeing motherhood as a hobby only for those who can afford it with whatever time and money they have left in the end. Even then, it’s only advisable to have one or two. All other mothers, the ones who didn’t get their ducks in a row first, or who have "too many" are considered a burden to society, as if everyone else has to pick up the slack for their irresponsible actions.

I wouldn’t go so far as to complain that my life is difficult because I’m a mother raising boys in an environment hostile to children. However, I find myself getting a little defensive about my life choices. "Trust me! I take on the full responsibility to provide and care for these little ones! I plan on raising people who contribute to society! No, I didn't finish college, but that's my problem." I find the little comments by people who mean well, and the subtle messages I see in the media a little irksome. I think, “Don’t they get it? Don’t they see how important these humans are?” It’s not a very glamorous job, and the rate of return doesn’t look too great. I’m giving up a lot of things in life to do this now. Then it hits me: laying down your life for another is a scary thing to the rest of the world. It goes against our human nature. That’s why it’s such an unattractive venture in this culture, but that’s also why I find it such an important calling for some. I gain an idea of the cost of love. And when I start to grasp how much it costs, I can begin to grasp how valuable it is.

All of this is to say that if you’re a mom, keep it up! God is using your sacrifice to shape your children, and He is also using your sacrifice to teach you about His (much larger) sacrifice. Even if you’re not a mom, you still have times in your life when you put others first. How does our Father call us to lay down our lives?

"'I do' are the two most famous last words

The beginning of the end

But to lose your life for another I've heard

Is a good place to begin

'Cause the only way to find your life

Is to lay your own life down

And I believe it's an easy price

For the life that we have found"

-Dancing in the Minefields by Andrew Peterson

(If you haven't heard that song, you should listen to the whole thing here!)