Don't Mom Aloneনমুনা

Day Six

When You Feel You Don’t Belong 

Scripture: Matthew 6:33-34; 1 Corinthians 7:17

Often, moms struggle to embrace motherhood because it doesn’t feel like a satisfactory “calling.” Or they thought it would be more fulfilling than it is. As a follower of Jesus, you have your calling: to go and make disciples. Now some questions to consider are, Where has God placed you to make disciples? Who is He asking you to live in proximity with and model faith to in everyday interactions? Where can you use the gifts, talents, and interests He has given you? 

Motherhood is one of the assignments to live out our disciple-making calling. What are some of the other assignments you’ve been given? What circumstances are part of your story today? The answers to those questions impact your brand of mothering. If you have an ill parent who requires your attention, then you’re not signing up to bring cupcakes to the class party. If you have been assigned to reconcile your marriage impacted by infidelity, you may not have the time or energy to join that girls’ night out. 

When we’re given harder assignments for a season, we need to give ourselves grace when our mom brand looks different from others. And we acknowledge that rebranding may be around the corner. These assignments are not always permanent. 

For me, being maternally driven, I wanted to stay home with my kids rather than have a full-time job outside the home as well. It was not because I think it’s the “right” choice, but because it’s what I wanted, and given our economic position, I was able to. I have many friends who have managed full-time, outside-the-home careers and also made fantastic memories with their kids. 

There is freedom in each of us following God and His unique assignments. How He has wired and placed me is going to be distinct from you. So instead of judging someone’s “AND” choice, we can connect and cheer them on. The less we judge one another, the better we can support each other.

Have you struggled with the decision to stay home, work outside the home, or work from home? What aspects of that decision are challenging (identity, family finances, child’s well-being)?