Dear Marie,

   It was providential that we met in the clinic last week. How radiant you look in your maternity dress. Could it be a baby girl?  Our conversation was cut short, just when you were asking a very important question: What it is to be a mother?   You are in the first trimester of your pregnancy and understandably, you need to know.  In answer to your question, let me share to you this article that I have written years ago regarding motherhood.

The Price of Motherhood

Motherhood is a most beautiful calling.  But motherhood is not for the faint-hearted. Because for it to be successful, it requires a great price –  even the price of one’s ambition and dreams.   It is a sad reality that countless women – young and old alike –  plunged into motherhood without fully knowing the responsibilities that go with it. They think of motherhood as something that can be learned along the way.

Many even think that taking care of the children can be transferred to yaya’s and relatives. They easily sourced out an unknown person – sometimes from far-flung provinces – and fully handed to her the care of her precious bundle of joy. This yaya, whom the values and character are hardly examined is given the power to influence the mind and heart of the unsuspecting charge. Isn’t it true that the person whom we spend our time most has the most influence over our habits and thinking? No wonder, we sometimes encounter children of well-educated persons who are acting like uneducated ones.  Could it be that they are learning from their yayas and not from their absentee parents.

There are many motivations to be a good mother. But obedience to the mandate of God should be primary and always proves to be the most fulfilling.  It is the design of God that mothers raise their children themselves. The long process of training permits bonding and teaching of moral values, about themselves, the world, and most importantly, about God.  Here, commitment and submission to God’s design is critical.  And it also entails sacrifice. It may require a mother to give up her career outside the home and spend most of her time caring for her young. But will she be undervaluing herself? Not at all. In doing God’s will, no one can ever be wrong.

Some mothers, especially single moms don’t have an option but to work outside the home. But if you were given the option to choose to be a fulltime mother, you are blessed. Yes, for a while you may be like going through birth fangs again. But a mother who is faithful in her calling of training and disciplining her children is often rewarded with well-mannered and godly children.  It will also prevent the headache of dealing with disobedient and rebellious adolescents later on.  Though taking care of our children ourselves does not guarantee that they will all turn out to be good.  It all depends on God’s work and  to Him we have to prayerfully depend, while faithfully doing our duties.

Mothers who invested her time, career, and personal interest in the raising up of her children may have to wait long before she is rewarded. But the time of harvest is sure.

The book of Proverbs  laid down the fruits of her labors: “Her children will rise up and call her blessed, her husband also and he praises her.  Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.   Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”  Proverbs 31: 28-31.

 

 

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I hope your question is answered in this article. If you want to talk more about it, just come over to my house. We will discuss it over tea  and  your favorite Walnut Fudge.  

With love always,

 

Tita Haydee