FAITH

A High Calling

"…that our God may make you worthy of His calling…"
This verse has been on my mind a lot these last few days…God’s calling, being worthy of God’s calling. I have always thought of a calling as something in the future, something to do, somewhere to go, something better and more important than what I’m doing now. But reading this verse it struck me that THIS is my calling– what I’m doing today, yesterday, tomorrow. My calling is being a mother, wife, homemaker.
God has called me to care for the souls of these two little girls, to teach them, love them, protect them, discipline them. He has called me to love Dan unconditionally, to honor and encourage him. He has called me to take care of my home, to keep it, decorate it, and make it a place of refuge and fellowship. This is a portion of what I wrote in my journal yesterday:

"it struck me that this, being a mother, is my calling….not trying to be something I am not, not trying to accomplish things that just aren’t possible at this season in my life, filling my day with my ‘me agenda’. That is not to say that I can’t pursue my interests, but I need to hold them in perspective with what God has called me to: being a mother, a wife, a homemaker. But God in His care of all of me and all of my life has also given me talents, interests and hobbies–things that make life pretty, rich, beautiful: sewing, knitting, gardening, cooking, music…They are things that bring joy and adventure to life, treasures and skills to pass on to my children. They are a part of my calling…"

This is a high calling. It is doing laundry, scouring my sink, making dinner, taking Emma around the block on her bike, showing Mary where her nose is, putting fresh flowers from my garden at the kitchen table, changing diapers, reading stories, packing lunches. It is realizing that each day holds something new. This calling is no less important than that of a pastor or a missionary or a business man. It is a high calling, the care of souls, the loving of a man, the creation of a sanctuary. 

"…that our God may make you worthy of His calling…"
This verse has been on my mind a lot these last few days…God’s calling, being worthy of God’s calling. I have always thought of a calling as something in the future, something to do, somewhere to go, something better and more important than what I’m doing now. But reading this verse it struck me that THIS is my calling– what I’m doing today, yesterday, tomorrow. My calling is being a mother, wife, homemaker.
God has called me to care for the souls of these two little girls, to teach them, love them, protect them, discipline them. He has called me to love Dan unconditionally, to honor and encourage him. He has called me to take care of my home, to keep it, decorate it, and make it a place of refuge and fellowship. This is a portion of what I wrote in my journal yesterday:

"it struck me that this, being a mother, is my calling….not trying to be something I am not, not trying to accomplish things that just aren’t possible at this season in my life, filling my day with my ‘me agenda’. That is not to say that I can’t pursue my interests, but I need to hold them in perspective with what God has called me to: being a mother, a wife, a homemaker. But God in His care of all of me and all of my life has also given me talents, interests and hobbies–things that make life pretty, rich, beautiful: sewing, knitting, gardening, cooking, music…They are things that bring joy and adventure to life, treasures and skills to pass on to my children. They are a part of my calling…"

This is a high calling. It is doing laundry, scouring my sink, making dinner, taking Emma around the block on her bike, showing Mary where her nose is, putting fresh flowers from my garden at the kitchen table, changing diapers, reading stories, packing lunches. It is realizing that each day holds something new. This calling is no less important than that of a pastor or a missionary or a business man. It is a high calling, the care of souls, the loving of a man, the creation of a sanctuary. 

21 comments on “A High Calling”

  1. So almost 3 years later to the day, I read this because it’s in your sidebar. And I just want to thank you for these thoughts. I’m 100% on the same page, although my life doesn’t always reflect it. (i.e. My attitude stinks sometimes!) Anyway, I might just have to bookmark this and return to it when I start to feel down on myself. Sometimes I feel like I haven’t accomplished what I should have as a college-educated woman who graduated with honors. Do you know what I mean? But I really do believe that God has called me to this life that I’m living. And that it is indeed a high calling to rear children. And to teach them about God. And about grace. And to care for our home and be a good steward and so on and so on. Sorry for rambling, but there ya go. I appreciate your encouraging words and being reminded of what is true. 🙂

  2. Thank you so much for the comments you wrote in my blog this morning. I really enjoyed looking through yours. I was reading your lastest post and was inspired to look at my life in a different way. I’m glad to have a spiritual blog to look at now. Have a great day. Heather

  3. wow, beautiful beautiful words. can’t tell you just how much I needed to hear (read) this, how deep it hit me for where I am in my life– right here, right now. I have really been struggling with it (this calling to be a mother, a wife, a homemaker). I am often overwhelmed by the amount of work it takes and how it just never seems to stop. actually, I love the wife and mother part but really have problems when it comes to managing the house. I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning (and so that drives me crazy) but not great at the cooking thing (which makes me feel like a horrible mother!). I have a hard time because I want so badly to be doing the things I love instead of the day-to-day stuff… I also struggle with the idea that the work I do is not important, not valued… I know that this isn’t true (and also, that it is a vanity thing for me in the first place, which is something else to deal with)… anyway, all of this builds up until I have some sort of breakdown and I fear I’m becoming resentful, too. I have been praying for wisdom, for patience… for god to help me work through this selfishness, this immaturity. I want to embrace my calling without letting go of my gifts, my talents… the personal things that bring me joy. so I just want to thank you for sharing your thoughts, the words from your journal, this scripture… I am encouraged this morning and looking at things differently.

  4. I’ve been reading so many craft blogs lately and I’ve realized that they are wearing on me and bringing me down because they bring my focus to all of the things I want to do but don’t have time to…

    Anyway, it was a breath of fresh air to read your post and remember exactly why I have chosen the path I’m on and that it is the best path in the world.

  5. thank you for these inspiring words. you echo my sentiments exactly. best regards–and please keep writing!

  6. Just found this…what a great encouragement! The last paragraph was particularlly wonderful! I have had all of the same thoughts– and my oldest daughter’s name is Emma too (and we go around the block on her bike often!)

  7. what perfect timing for this reminder. many of these thoughts have been surfacing recently. thank you for putting it into words. it is also another reminder that I need to start journaling again soon.

  8. I have to remind myself of this truth over and over. It’s very encouraging to read another mother and child of God coming to the same conclusion.

  9. Hi. I figured I should finally come out of lurkdom. I saw that you listed this as one of your favorite posts and I have to tell you that it is also one of mine. I found your blog last fall and searched through your archives and found this post. I cried when I read it. What you say here and how you say it sooo resonates with me. I often wrestle with “my calling” and you said so beautifully what my heart wanted so very much to hear. Thanks.

  10. Molly,

    I stumbled onto your delightful blog while ‘link jumping’ around crafting blogs. I simply must echo others who have commented – this posting is so very poignant and moving and encouraging to me in my life right now as a first time mum to a 9 month old girl. God has spoken to my heart through you, thank you for your hard work in doing all those important mommy things and still making time to share your journey with us. I am a brand new blogger too and you’ve inspired me in that too!warm best wishesLottie

  11. I hope that you don’t mind, but I am going to post a link to this on my blog. I am the 42 year old mother of 7. The oldest is 19. I have been homeschooling since the beginning. To be honest, I “grow weary in well doing” sometimes. It isn’t very glamorous and it is often just plain ol’ hard work!

    You just can not know how much these words spoke to me and how encouraging they are. Thank you for posting a link to this in your sidebar or would have missed a great blessing this morning!

  12. i realize that you wrote this many years ago…but i just found this tonight, and i am going to post anyway. i too was called to be a mother, wife, and homemaker. the problem is…i have to work. i have been with my baby now nonstop for the last five months, and in a few weeks, work begins again. the severing that i feel in my soul is almost too much to bear. i have to live a life that i don’t want, yet i have to be grateful for having a job. things are all mixed up. i am happy for this post. i plan to write something similar in the very near future. with God, i will find a way. i know that He is planning to help me get to my higher calling. maybe this post is a sign for me tonight. my little piper is my magnum opus. the best thing i have ever done. and i can’t wait to continue to raise her and teach her and be the one to care for her day in and day out. thank you for this long ago written post. i will hold these words and plan for the day i can live out my calling….for good.

  13. So many comments have been left, but I happened somehow upon your blog – and then this post – and cannot help but scrawl a quick note to tell you what a joy it was to read. I have been writing much on the subject of marriage and motherhood these days and agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the ‘high calling’ of motherhood. Why is it that the nurture of souls is given such little value in our society? Oh wait, I know: because it isn’t measurable; and the character that mothers help to instill in their children is no longer considered ‘indispensable.’ I don’t mean to sound a cynic. I DO mean to say: thank you.

  14. I just stumbled upon this post and it brought me to tears. Sometimes I feel like I’m supposed to be something more, but God keeps reminding me that I’m a wife and a mother, that’s what he needs me to be.

  15. I LOVE this post. Beautifully written, powerfully meaningful, simply truthful. I have it bookmarked so I can read it again when I need some encouragement or share with someone when I think they could use a new perspective. Thank you!

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