JenniferDyer.net

by Jennifer Dyer

This summer I am participating in a wonderful Bible study entitled the Life Ready Woman by Shaunti Feldhahn and Robert Lewis. Among all the other great things we are learning, Shaunti has talked about the seasons in a woman’s life.

One of the life seasons for many of us includes motherhood. First of all, motherhood is not simply about giving birth. It is about pouring love and life into another individual to launch them into the world. It is purposeful living in order to bring up another person.

While studying this, I keep thinking about the multitude of moms I have encountered in my life. I wanted to honor many of them and their sacrifices here.

So many of my friends have a BC and AC bio. By that I mean “Before Children” and “After Children.” These BC bios range from thriving law practice, marketing guru, jet-setting fashion designer, corporate-ladder climber, teacher, case worker, supervisor, Marine, international business woman …. And that is just the beginning.

What about their AC bio? Part-time fitness instructor, stay-at-home mom, lunch lady, student, substitute teacher (in order to be involved at the school), teaching assistant, admin assistant (in order to reduce work load and the need to work tons of overtime), working with her child that needs therapy, part-time therapist, and kid chauffeur/soccer mom.

Becoming a mom changed these women’s lives–and I don’t mean just the giving birth part. In fact, many moms I know (including my own mother) adopted some or all of their children–some from foster care, others from other countries, and others from domestic agencies or from their spouse’s previous relationships. Again, being a mom is not just about giving birth or genetic ties. It is about love and nurturing and time.

I love thinking over each of these situations and the amazing way motherhood has shaped so many of these women. Their sacrifices and love are pouring into the next generation. Some of them were scared to give up their exciting lives for the prospect of changing diapers and driving to soccer practice. Many have given up financial security and affluence. They have poured themselves into this short season of life in order to be a part of other lives.

Not all the women I know have been able to make major changes in their careers or leave their careers behind, but motherhood still changed to their lives and hearts.

In addition to moms, many of the dads I know have also changed their lives to spend more time with their children. Some turn down a demanding promotion or change jobs in order to work from home. Some, finding themselves single dads, have changed focus entirely. These dads are every bit as devoted to loving and launching their children into the world.

What about you? What kind of stories do you have about how motherhood changed you or others you know? How has is changed your heart’s desires? Have you been able to find ways to follow those?

For more Mom Ideas check out this great new book Be the Mom by Tracey Eyster. You can pre-order it now here. More info about Tracey is available here.