Why Being a Mom is the Most Powerful Job in the World

My husband went on a trip earlier this year. It was a short trip, and my time holding down the fort (with a newborn in tow) went pretty smooth. But his absence got me thinking about his schedule vs. mine. Specifically, a typical husband’s schedule vs. the schedule of a mom at home with little children. 

While most stay-at-home mothers have moments when they wouldn’t mind a schedule that took them out of the home more, this is not what I was thinking when my husband left home this time around. Rather I was thinking how very weird and foreign it would be to live his life. To leave my two week old baby for a few days just wouldn’t make any sense. I could do it if I needed to, no doubt. And of course, it’s not as though my husband desired to go out of town. Nevertheless, this trip highlighted how very different our day-to-day lives are. 

The truth is, there’s just a different expectation, and even role, that mothers of young children have. And reflecting on this reality reminded me that the role of motherhood is one we should be grateful for.

A Needed Reminder 

Obviously, whatever role God gives us is good and we should be grateful for it. But it’s also good for mothers to be reminded what a privilege it is to be a mom. Too often, moms feel like their work doesn’t matter much. The tasks are tedious, days can feel mundane, and there’s little to show for our countless hours of effort. But truly, what a privilege momming is. 

To be the one who’s most often home cuddling the newborn, nurturing the babies, investing in the toddlers, teaching the children — that is a privilege. Yes, It’s work, and it comes with a whole lot of tedious mundane work, but it is good work, and it is valuable. 

The Value of Motherhood 

Motherhood’s value comes first and foremost from that fact that it’s a God-given job. 

God specifically designed a mom to be able to bear children (Psalm 139:13), to be able to nurse her children, and be their gentle nurturer (1 Thessalonians 2:7). Alongside her husband, she’s also to teach and train and discipline and disciple her children; but the physical (and perhaps emotional) makeup of a mom places her in a unique position in a young child’s life. In other words, someone needed to birth and nurse and nurture each new human soul, and God picked moms. 

What a neat job! 

The Power of Motherhood

What a powerful job we’ve been given too — Mothers can make a massive impact! I’m reminded of the old quote, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” This line comes from a poem (written in the 1800’s) that’s praising motherhood. It’s a dramatic sentiment, but in many ways it rings true. Just think, behind every influential person, was a mother who bore him or her, and in all likelihood spent time investing in that child’s life. 

What other job is more universally meaningful (or influential) than bringing humans into the world? Seriously, what matters more than people?! And mothers are the ones who get to produce and send off people into the world! And Lord willing, we will send them off ready to make a difference for the Kingdom! What job is better than that?! 

Motherhood may not always feel glamorous, and it’s bound to wear out even the strongest among us. But it’s a good good job, and we ought to stop and thank God for every day that we get to partake in motherhood’s meaningful work — In fact, I’d say, the hand the rocks the cradle, is the hand that is greatly blessed. 

Blessings,

Heather Pace