I’ve been thinking a lot the past few weeks about a collection of really great articles I’ve read recently  on being a mommy. They were published throughout the summer, but I thought it was a good idea to collect them in one place.

There is a lot I could say about what I’ve been thinking, how it’s affected our days here at home, and what happens around here to make me think of these articles.

But I think I’ll just post the links.

They’re written by Rachel (from over at Femina), and the articles are posted at Desiring God.

Motherhood as a Mission Field

“The closer you get to home, the less intriguing the work of sacrifice seems. As someone once said, “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help Mom with the dishes.” When you are a mother at home with your children, the church is not clamoring for monthly ministry updates. When you talk to other believers, there is not any kind of awe about what you are sacrificing for the gospel. People are not pressing you for needs you might have, how they can pray for you. It does not feel intriguing, or glamorous. Your work is normal, because it is as close to home as you can possibly be. You have actually gone so far as to become home.”

Motherhood is a Calling (and Where Your Children Rank)

“Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.”

Motherhood is Application

“The gospel is not just something to talk about Sunday morning while you are in clean clothes and the kids are looking orderly. It is not limited to quiet times and reflective moods. It is something to apply while you are in a difficult position in the back of the car trying to buckle a child up who is playing the kazoo and needs their nose wiped. “