In honor of our first ever LYWB Summer Book Club, here's a post from our archives about how to spend your summer well. If it's been while since you've read through our archives, we'd encourage you to do so. There's gold in them thar' hills!
But let's be honest, it's only possible to have so many movie marathons before we all start to feel a little . . . bored. You may not have hit the summer slump yet. (Some of you may still be smack dab in the middle of finals—yuck!) But I've got an idea to keep summer boredom far, far away. Are you ready for it? It's the perfect summer internship! I'm not suggesting you call up a doctor, a lawyer, or a dentist to shadow them for the summer. I'd rather prepare you for a more important role. This summer, I'd love for you to spend time learning the craft of motherhood. A mom? Really?! Yep, really! Here are a few reasons why.
God sees children as a blessing.
Psalm 127:3 says, "Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord." We don't need to compare the Greek and the Hebrew here. We don't need to ask a Bible professor to help us break this down. The Bible is clear. Children are a blessing from God.
Most moms would tell you that even though their children demand much of them, they are in fact a blessing.
But it doesn't always feel that way, does it? That's because children demand much of us. They require us to alter our plans for our lives. They demand much of our schedule. They change our bodies. It is very easy to look at parenting from the outside and think, No way! I don't want any part of that. That's why you need an inside view. Most moms would tell you that even though their children demand much of them, they are in fact a blessing. But you've got to spend some time with moms to have these conversations, and you've got to spend some time with kiddos to realize that's not just something moms say. God's right. Children really are a gift.
God thinks moms rock!
God highly values mothers throughout His Word. We live in a culture that says motherhood is a lesser calling to getting a degree, having a great job, and traveling the world. But God doesn't hold that view.
Moms have tremendous power to influence their kids toward following Jesus.
Why is God such a fan of moms? Because He sees them as missionaries! Moms don't just do laundry, cook dinners, and dish out discipline. Moms are the first place most of us ever hear about God. For better or for worse, our moms are where we look for spiritual guidance and wisdom. Moms have tremendous power to influence their kids toward following Jesus. God esteems moms because what they are doing matters so much. (Think about your own mom for a minute. Hasn't she played a HUGE role in your faith?)
Moms need help!
I'm a mom of three boys under age seven. My house is always engulfed in beautiful chaos. An extra pair of hands to serve up plates of mac and cheese, bandage skinned knees, and help find Star Wars LEGOS would be welcome any day. Yes, children are a blessing. Yes, motherhood is a ministry. But that doesn't change the fact that motherhood is tough! You could be a tremendous blessing to a mom in your world by offering to help a couple of mornings a week this summer. (If you happen to live in Nowheresville, Missouri like me . . . hook a momma up!) Helping a mom gives you a chance to serve someone in need. The Bible promises that this is the way to get our hearts filled to the brim.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered (Prov. 11:25).
If your heart is feeling a little dried up these days, serving someone else is just what you need! I know for certain that there's a mom in your world who would love to be served in this way. So, whadya say? Are you up for the perfect summer internship? And just in case you still need a little motivation to get off the couch, here's a great video about motherhood. Watch it, then give your mom a hug and get to work.