Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Over the past couple of weeks I have seen so many posts, articles, comments, etc. of moms very aggressively sharing their views on mothering. While sharing these opinions in and of themselves is not wrong, the manner in which I have seen it is. I read verses like the one above and weep a little. We are called to encourage one another and build each other up . . . but is that "just as in fact [we] are doing?" When I read a post, especially one between Christian mothers, that leaves my stomach turning, not because of the advice or opinions, but because of the tone, words, and anger behind them, it hurts my heart. I'm not the first to say all of this and I'm sure I won't be the last. Being a mom is hard work! We have so much to decide on - sleeping, eating, playtime, outdoor playing, screen time, music, education, even diapers for goodness sakes! And each one of us will make those decisions. We'll have opinions of why our choice is best and maybe are so convinced at how great our decision was that we want to share it with others. No matter what decision we make, one thing is the same. We want the best for our child. We want them to feel loved, to succeed, to know the Lord, to see His work in our lives, to be healthy, to be encouraged . . . and the list goes on.
I don't know the perfect answer to all of these decisions for every mama in the world, but what I do know is this. God gave me my son. And He gave me to him. I know him better than any other person on this planet. I know my family better than any other person on this planet. And God trusted me with them. He gave me the ability to think and make decisions. He taught me to trust Him and turn to Him when those decisions are hard. He taught me to listen to Him and stand firm in obedience even when it didn't make sense to others (or even myself). How God has led me to raise my children may not be the same as He led you, but know that it doesn't change my opinion of you and it will not change my support of you.
Being a mama is hard, but you are doing a great job! How do I know? Because if you are following the Lord and calling on Him to help raise your child, you are making the best decisions (even the hard ones) and are leaning on the best Father there ever was or will be to give you wisdom. He knows you and your child intimately, after all He formed your child in your womb (Psalm 139)! He has plans for you and your child and His plans are good and are never thwarted (Jeremiah 29:11, Job 42:2).
My purpose in this post is to encourage mamas to remember how hard it is and rather than make those decisions harder for other mamas, encourage them. Offer advice if it's asked for, but encourage whatever decision they make. If you think they've made the wrong decision, pray that the Lord would lead them to a different decision, but ultimately trust that God will lead them in what is best for their child.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25
