Motherhood is Sanctifying - How Being A Mom Makes Us More Like Jesus

"My heart grew in ways I couldn't imagine"
- my mom, probably.

How many times have you heard a mom describe motherhood as changing her capacity to love? She might say something like "My heart grew in ways I couldn't imagine" or "I had trouble imagining I could love another child as much as my first, but my heart got bigger and I wonder how I was ever worried about that."

God created motherhood and to everything He created, He said "it is good". The Father is a wonderful Creator, and as such, He creates mothers through birth, adoption, and foster care. The children you have are designed for you.

Motherhood is a gift, a blessing, and a way for you to obey God and grow closer to God.

Motherhood isn't for us. It's for God. Like anything in our lives, we can try to make it into an idol, but when we do, we will find brokenness and heartache.

See also: When Motherhood Becomes An Idol

Like marriage, God created motherhood for a spiritual reason: to sanctify us and bring us closer to Him.

As Christian moms, we are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:18 (Berean Study Bible)

Intensifying glory might just require a little trial by fire.

Let this list encourage you - your time wiping bottoms, noses, or other various body parts; your time washing bottles in the sink, holding crying babies, sweeping under the dining room table, and praying with your kids is eternally significant.

See also: Why is Motherhood so hard? A Gospel Look At Mothering

4 Ways Motherhood Sanctifies Us

Motherhood is sanctifying
1. Motherhood makes me thankful

My husband and I were infertile for nearly 4 years, and in those 4 years, I read every blog post - every piece of literature that I could get my hands on regarding increasing fertility. I learned the miraculous processes of ovulation, fertilization, gestation, and birth.

After praying and hoping so long for a child, holding my son in my arms was nothing short of euphoric.

He is my son.

And God calls us His children.

When Jesus started a public prayer with the words: "Our Father, who art in Heaven" it scandalized the Jewish people. To call God a Father seemed too intimate, too impossible for them.

At hearing of her pregnancy, Mary sang.

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is His name."

Luke 1:46-49 NIV

May we also sing His praises in humility.

Speaking of humility...

Motherhood is sanctifying
2. Motherhood asks me to serve others in humility

From sacrificing coffee during pregnancy (not to mention that valuable rib cage space) to the act of giving birth, moms start sacrificing their selfishness before they even meet their child.

Let's face it. There are few, if any, glamourous moments in motherhood.

But what it lacks in glamour, it makes up for in spit-up, brain fog, mom buns, blow out diapers, and the well-timed hand to catch explosive vomit JUST in time.

I used to wonder and ponder how moms were able to change all the diapers, wipe all the noses, and soothe the crying toddler and still manage to clean and cook for a tribe of people.

(I still ponder this.)

With humility, Christian moms are able to put their own needs aside for the sake of their families for God's glory.

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men."

Philippians 2:3-7 NASB

Motherhood is sanctifying
3. Motherhood reminds me to depend on God

Jesus reminds us to have child-like faith, and I didn't realize just how vivid that image would become until I had a toddler.

My toddler asks me to play with him and fully expects me to say yes.

He sees me and prepares to run and jump into my arms.

He asks me for good gifts and has faith that I will give them to him. (Over and over again.)

Even as an infant, your baby is completely dependent on you for every aspect of life.

We should take the metaphor that Jesus provides and let it remind us to depend fully on God for everything.

When my son feels anxious or scared of new situations, he runs to me and says: "mommy, hold me!"

When I feel anxious, where do I turn?

I've learned the hard way that turning to my phone, to food, or to coffee will only make me more anxious.

When we feel anxious, let's seek shelter in the arms of the Most High.

God is ready. He is there for us... waiting.

"The LORD is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity."

Psalm 145:18 CSB

See also: 9 Lies Satan Whispers To You About Your Motherhood

4. Motherhood motivates me to be obedient to God.

When my child obeys me and/or my husband without being reminded or supervised, it brings me so much joy.

Imagine how much joy it gives God to see you do the same.

The Holy Spirit is shaping you, moving you, and reminding you of God's will for your life, and your children get to see what that process looks like up close and personal. The Holy Spirit is continually working. Motherhood is sanctifying and your kids are blessed to see that change in your soul.

You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.

Charles Spurgeon

See also: Is Self-Care Selfish?

Motherhood is sanctifying
What about you?

How have you been changed since you first became a mother? In what ways have you been sanctified through the process of motherhood?

What lessons would you share with a new or expecting mom?

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