A Time for Everything

 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3 : 1-8 NIV

6min read

What an honour it is to be given the title of Mother. I have been so blessed over these last few years to have the time and the desire to raise my daughter. But it did not always looked like this. My desire to raise my daughter was once hidden under the pressure of my work, my home, myself and my lifestyle. But revelation came to me through my faith journey, where I came to understand that our children are uniquely given to us to grow through this life with. And as we grow closer to Christ through the responsibility, the struggle, the chaos, the beauty, the blessing, the gain, the sacrifice of raising children. We are given the opportunity to steward our children in the ways of the LORD. I believe it is not for their benefit only, it’s so we can be more like Christ dying to ourselves by laying our lives down for those He gave to us. It’s the hardest job in the world and what an honour it is to be given the position and title of Mother! 

One of the biggest regrets I have had with raising my daughter is not being there for her like she needed me to be in her younger years. My eyes were closed to the beauty in the burden of raising children. And culture was defining what it looked like for me. I did not realise that raising her is a season, that there is no take two and she needed me now. But when I came to Christ, things shifted. And in moments of revelation my heart became aware that this is a responsibility that as her mother only I desire to fill, where only a mother can fill. And when the scales fell from my eyes I came to realise that the burden of raising my daughter out-weighed the burden of desiring to work, the desire to make money, the desire to have a nice house, a nice car, a nice title. Because the new car can wait, the fancy things can wait, but my time with her is now. And in these moments I have such gratitude that we serve a God of second chances. That He is a restorer of what was lost. What was stolen from us. And God will make provision to see these things through. He is our Jehovah-Jireh- LORD the provider.

And I started to realise more and more that the culture we live in does not value the title of mother. We do not value the burden of raising children. Instead our culture tells us to sacrifice the time we have building up our children and provide for them by giving them good things. But the good things they need are you and I. And it burdens me. It breaks my heart that we no longer see the value in sacrificing for our children.

⁶ Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it. 

Psalms 22: 6 NIV

And we forget that the title of mother has so much strength. Yes, there are days when it’s mundane and there are days when it’s chaotic and exhausting. There are days when I don’t know what I’m doing, so I gain knowledge and understanding that directs me back to Christ. There are days when it is lonely, repetitive and confusing, and I question if I am raising my daughter well. But I think the most beautiful thing is realising that my presence in her life has more impact than any thing of monetary value. It is me that she desires, through connection, through relationship. That though we provide for her and give her good things, I want to choose to be a mother who is present with her with my time, my energy and my sacrifice. Because through the struggle there are moments of true joy, breakthrough and beauty. I don’t want to miss these moments. There’s an empowerment in the spirit knowing that God’s original plan is freeing and rewarding in its time. 

When I look at motherhood, I see a voice of influence in a child’s life. When I look at motherhood, I see discipleship. When I look at motherhood, I see leadership and sacrifice. All things that empower our children to live their lives in the ways of the LORD. And I pray that you recognise this for yourself. That you can recognise that nobody should take that title from you. Your child is uniquely given to you so that through the struggle and the burden you each can grow more like Christ. Only God can convict you and direct you back to Him for healing, revelation and restoration. I do not believe it is ever too late to be the mother you need to be for your children. Choose now, because there may not be tomorrow. 

And I pray that you seek the heart of God in all that you do. And let us live our lives set apart from the culture, showing people that though we live in this world, we are not of this world. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mumma’s out there.

Before I leave I am so privileged to the people who have taken the time to read my blog. There is so much gratitude, in particular to my husband who is the encourager of my desires. My sister who has done immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. And my Heavenly Father, who am I apart from you? It has been one of the most liberating and burdensome experiences I have been blessed with. I however believe God has a new thing for me. I am going to lay this down and take on a new burden, something I believe He has called me to. This may not be goodbye forever, but goodbye for now. I pray blessing over you and in all you do seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and good things will come to you. God Bless. 

Nadia x

All for His Glory