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Four Lies About Motherhood

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Four Lies About Motherhood

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We share cute videos, give flowers and spend the day thinking of our own mothers but underneath it all, our society doesn’t value the unique calling of motherhood the way it once did. Why? Because we do not value children the way we once did. I couldn't have said it better than Rachel Jankovic did in 2011:

The truth is that, years ago, before this generation of mothers was even born, our society decided where children rank in the list of important things. When abortion was legalized, we wrote it into law. Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing.

Clearly, we’ve changed our views of children and mothering since the first national Mother’s Day was passed into law. In fact, our modern society is permeated with lies about motherhood. Here are four, along with the biblical truth to refute them.

Lie #1: You are limiting your own potential to impact the world by choosing to be a mother.

The truth: You are raising a child of God with unbelievable potential. Your children have the opportunity to be a part of God’s family forever, and right now you have more influence than any other force will have on your children. There is no such thing as "just a mom" in God’s eyes!

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).

God commands us to teach our children of His ways, because he knows how much impact we will have. This is a noble duty that should not be taken lightly. In fact, it is a high calling that should be honored and respected.

These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

Lie #2: Children are a burden.

The truth: "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3, NLT).

We are to regard the opportunity to raise a child as a great blessing and strive to view it as a positive experience.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:3-4, NLT).

The testing of our endurance that motherhood demands of us is repaid in the growth of character we achieve when we serve others rather than ourselves.

Lie #3: Your time and talents are wasted changing diapers, doing dishes, running carpools and washing laundry.

The truth: Even though many of the tasks of motherhood can feel menial, they have significance because of the great worth of raising mentally and spiritually strong children.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave (Philippians 2:5-7, NLT).

Christ set an example for us in the way He humbled himself to live and die as a human, for a greater purpose.

Lie #4: Mothers are unfulfilled because they are not able to achieve their personal hopes and dreams.

The truth: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16).

True fulfillment comes from giving to and serving others. Our example is Christ, who laid down his life to save many. We must lay down self-serving desires and plans in order to serve our families.

We mothers have an incredible opportunity that we shouldn’t take lightly. It is worthy of honor and respect, and it is a noble calling for any woman to answer. As a mother of three, I can assure you the rewards of motherhood far exceed the demands. Lies about motherhood have infiltrated our culture, so we must diligently search the scriptures to find the true purpose of motherhood. Let’s refuse to believe these lies and live as joyous mothers in the truth that God has provided for us in His Word!

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Comments

  • Mandie Cobb
    Thank you, Joy! I loved reading this debunking of lies society tells us. I've just been becoming aware of these lies in my life this past year and it's been a hard, but very necessary, paradigm shift. Best to your family!
  • Carolyn Prater
    Well said, Joy! It is an honor to be a mother. And society has forgotton to honor mothers. We all need mothers (and fathers). Parents are crucial in setting children on the right path to learn values, morals, how to do the basics, and how to conquer the big challenges in life. Parents show us our first glimpse of what love is. Nations need parents to have strong countries. We all need to respect and love the choice of mothers to love and nurture their children. Being a mother is the hardest job a woman might ever have--and the most rewarding!
  • babsie
    Beautifully stated! I was a stay-at-home mom to my two daughters and would not have traded that time for any job or personal pursuit!
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