The constant battle of motherhood is more subtle, more everyday, more hideable. At the center is one question: Will I sacrifice? Or as Oswald Chambers poses in My Utmost for His Highest. “[Am I] willing to spend and be spent; not seeking to be ministered unto, but to minister?”
The Everyday Question isn’t answered one time, with the birth of a child, with the planning of school, or with the decision to discipline. This question — Will I sacrifice? — is answered every day.
It’s answered when a child wakes early with a need, interrupting my quiet hour alone with the Lord.
It’s answered when a sick child keeps me from worship and adult interaction at church on Sunday mornings.
It’s answered when I am emotionally spent, but a child’s behavior requires my patient, purposeful response.
It’s answered almost every moment of the potty training process.
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But I think this applies to everyone and not just mothers. This question of putting someone else's need before your own is applicable to fathers, to singles, to the elderly... to everyone. It's what God calls us to and He set the model for us when He willingly put Christ on the cross for us.
“For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” (2 Corinthians 4:11)
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15)
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