Finding Joy in the Season of Motherhood

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him." - Psalm 127:3

In the quiet moments between laundry loads and school pickups, Zoom meetings and happy hours, Sunday school and soccer practice, I've found myself reflecting on purpose—how it shifts and transforms with the changing seasons of our lives. Perhaps you've felt it too, that gentle tug-of-war between the world's expectations and the still, small voice calling you to something sweeter, something eternal.

When the World Says "More"

As a mother, a wife, and an employee, it seems we're always being beckoned for something or another. We're juggling the balls and trying to determine which ones are glass and plastic before one shatters on our toes. I feel this pressure deeply. The pressure to please others and carry the load. The pressure to be present but also plan for the future. When I listen to the world, I hear:

You should be more productive. 

Your house isn't clean enough. 

Your children need another enrichment activity. 

You're not feeding your family the right foods. 

You should exercise more. 

You aren't doing enough.

These messages rain down on us mothers like a relentless storm. I've found myself caught in this downpour too many times to count, frantically trying to check every box, meet every expectation. The exhaustion feels almost like a badge of honor in today's culture, as if the more depleted we are, the more we must be accomplishing.

But lately, in those precious moments of stillness, I've been hearing a different message. A loving invitation that cuts through the noise.

The Sacred Calling of "Mama"

Nearly a decade into this motherhood journey—with three beautiful, challenging, magnificent children to show for it—I'm still learning something new daily. The most profound lesson has been recognizing what Valerie Woerner calls "divine interruptions."

You know the moments. You're finally responding to that unread text or in a creative flow for your slide deck, when a small voice calls, "Mama?" You're in the middle of a task, and tiny hands tug at your shirt. You're on the phone, and someone needs a snack right now.

For years, I saw these as distractions, pulling me away from "real work." But the Lord has gently shown me that these moments aren't interruptions of my purpose—they are precisely my purpose in this season. Each "Mama" is a realignment of my heart, pointing me back to what matters most.

Pouring Out Love as an Act of Faith

There are many achievements that have brought me satisfaction over the past decade. Career milestones, personal goals, community contributions—all worthwhile pursuits. But nothing fills my heart with more genuine pride than seeing how my love has helped shape three funny, messy, wild, smart, frustrating, loving, silly souls.

These children, entrusted to me for such a brief time, are my most sacred responsibility. When I look at motherhood through this lens of faith, the mundane transforms into the miraculous:

Reading "just one more" bedtime story becomes an investment in their love of learning and their trust in me

Walks to the park become opportunities to marvel at God's creation together

Picnics on summer afternoons become lessons in gratitude and presence

Zoo visits become moments of wonder and connecting with the world beyond ourselves

Most importantly, in creating a home filled with safety and unconditional love, I'm offering them a tangible glimpse of God's heart for His children.

Legacy Over Productivity

The world measures success in accomplishments, promotions, and possessions. But as mothers of faith, we're called to measure differently. We're building something that can't be quantified on a resume or displayed on social media—we're building souls who will help grow the kingdom of God!

When my children look back on this season of their lives, I pray they won't remember a perfectly spotless home or elaborate Pinterest-worthy crafts. I pray they'll remember presence. I pray they'll remember a mother who leaned in when they spoke, who delighted in their discoveries, who created safety in a chaotic world.

I have many goals for the years ahead—dreams and ambitions that God has planted in my heart. But at the very top of that list remains this sacred calling: to raise good little people with a solid foundation of truth and a desire to love others well.

An Invitation to Fellow Mothers

If you're reading this today, feeling overwhelmed by the world's expectations, I invite you to pause. Take a deep breath. Remember that the most important work you'll ever do may not look "productive" to the outside world.

Those cuddles on the couch? That's soul-building work. Those conversations about why the sky is blue? That's wonder-cultivating work. Those tears wiped and bandages applied? That's trust-establishing work. Those boundaries set with loving firmness? That's character-forming work.

The days are long, but the years are heartbreakingly short. Let's embrace the divine purpose in this season, finding joy not in checking boxes but in pouring out love—the kind of love that echoes for generations to come.

Image source: The Bible App