Little hands on mighty hips, my seven-year-old face-offed with her teacher. The innocent question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” torched the classroom. It seems out of the entire class only my daughter thought the response, “I want to be a Mom,” worth defending.
Like a ninja warrior.
I’m afraid the teacher had no idea what she was getting into with her dismissive laugh and remark, “I meant important job.”
“It’s the most important job in the world,” she so very pointedly shot back, arrows in her glare.
As a mom, I’m glad I only was told about it at the subsequent teacher-parent conference. So happy I wasn’t there to hear the teacher answer my daughter with, “That’s not a job.”
Sometimes, it is good to not be at the scene of the crime.
Many have looked at motherhood as a curse, a holding back, stifling and unfair. God’s Word is clear that nurturing life is in fact a great blessing. A messy blessing, but wonderful all the same, and in ways I do not completely understand, God sets the female gender apart in a uniquely precious way to impact the world by doing what only she can.
Could it possibly be since Eve, the mother of all living beings, humankind has sought to diminish the role and value of a Mother?
“For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:13-15 ESV
As much as I hate to give Satan any credit at all, he did know where and what to hit, because when He found his mark on rebellion against God, it also had disastrous results on marriage.
It distorted created perfection. It broke relationship. It confused roles. It brought dissension instead of unity, competition rather than collaboration, self-centeredness instead of other-focus.
Where God designed beauty, sin painted a destructive picture. And ever since, women have misunderstood a most precious gift. We are the incubators of life, a metaphor of new birth.
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’”
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:3-4; 6-7 ESV
Mary, mother of Jesus, carried the Child conceived of the Holy Spirit until the specific days were accomplished. God chose the womb of a mother to bring the Son of God into the world. Mary did not consider her body her own. Her choice was to serve God. It was not an easy road.
The Son Jesus confirmed His mother’s value while he hung on the Cross. His last dying instruction to John cared for Mary. The physical life she nurtured once within her, offers us eternal life now. Christ did not forget her role in His. In His supreme sacrifice, He valued His mother.
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’” “Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.’” John 19:26-27 ESV
Despite His torn flesh and bleeding body, even though the horror of sin’s payment lay heavy on Jesus’ shoulders, He remembered Mamma.
Mother’s Day is around the corner. I know my story is easy compared to many others. My Mamma loved my Daddy, Jesus and me. She still has my love and devotion even though she has been gone many years. I too still remember Mamma. I honor her for her important role in my physical being and more importantly, my spiritual walk.
My daughters and daughter-in-law love Jesus and are amazing moms raising wonderful grandkids. The next generation is being influenced for Christ through them. I honor their important job. It nurtures, molds, and instructs another generation. Their value is inestimable. 
Your story may be very different. Mother’s Day may not bring sweet memories or promise a bright future. It may bring pain more than joy.
“Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.” Psalm 71:6 ESV
The Psalmist reminds us that God is Sovereign in the mother chosen for us and He is ultimately the one who with tender hands birthed us. He is a Father who loves. He instills purpose for each life.
For these blessings, I am humbled and grateful. But, I know as well, this world with all its voices desires to break down one of the most precious gifts of womanhood, and it might bring out a little Ninja in me.
Because to all you warriors in the trenches, the value of a Mother is immeasurable.
It is indeed a very important job.
A Recent Article of Mine:
What does the Bible Tell Us About Herod Agrippa?
Past Posts of Mine On Mom’s and Mother’s Day
That’s What Mom’s Do – On Her View from Home
When Mom Forgot Me – 2021
No Thank You – 2020
Where to the Prayers of a Mom Go? – 2019
When Mom Called Me Sis – 2019
Mom’s Legacy – 2015
Lois S.
Thanks Sylvia, for the reminder that the enemy was the one who first attacked the woman, and continues to be behind attacks on motherhood. I’m thankful for your daughter’s stand as well! Beautiful!
sylvia schroeder
Thank you Lois. It is certainly a topic on my heart in these days. I appreciate your comment and again thanks for reading!
J.D. Wininger
I’m not qualified to speak from a mama’s perspective Ms. Sylvia, but I can tell you that while my adopted dad taught me many great skills and lessons, the lessons I’ve relied on most in my life (and my faith life, they’re interchangeable these days) came from my adopted mama. It was Mrs. Teresa Marcella Adams who taught me how to greet the world with kindness, what selflessness looked like, and what it meant to give with a humbled and thankful heart. Great post ma’am.
sylvia schroeder
Thank you J.D. She sounds like a wonderful woman, a great Mama. I am so glad Jesus gifted you with her. Thanks for reading and you do know…I love your comments!
Annie Yorty
I can’t say I’m shocked by the teacher’s response to your daughter, Sylvia. That’s the unfortunate view of motherhood found in our world. I, myself, harbored such ideas until God turned my heart toward Him. Thank you for your encouragement to moms.
sylvia schroeder
Thanks Annie. My kids are all grown up now, and so it happened years ago. But I know the value of a Mom’s influence is just as great as ever. The value of a child’s life impossible to measure!
Jeannie Waters
Amen! I agree wholeheartedly and appreciate this post, Sylvia. The enemy has always tried to deceive, and he’s hitting hard now against one of God’s most beautiful created roles.
sylvia schroeder
Thank you Jeannie. Happy Mother’s Day!
Yvonne Morgan
Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Praying
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Yvonne for reading and responding! I appreciate your prayers.
Don Pahl
So timely and so well done, Sylvia. A godly and necessary shout out to young Moms today. (We loved that picture of Heidi and her little one. She has grown up to become exactly that kind of Mother!)
sylvia schroeder
Thanks Don! Always happy to hear from someone who knows our kids! She and Steve do a great job!
Nancy E. Head
When my son was little, he would answer “What do you want to be when you grow up?” with “A Daddy.” It was remarkable that he saw himself as someone coming home to family after work, not just as someone going to work.
Mother or Father, “The hand that rocks the cradle,/ Is the hand that rules the world” is still true today.
Sylvia Schroeder
I love this Nancy! The role of Daddy and Mommy is such an honor! Thanks!
Katherine Pasour
What a brave little girl! She made her Mama proud, I think. I think being a mother is the most important job in the world. Being a father is right up there, too. I always told my students that being a teacher is the next most important job because of the amount of time children are in school during their most formative years. Thanks for sharing this beautiful message, reminding us that Jesus loved His mother and thought to care for her, even as He carried the sins of the whole world on His shoulders.
Sylvia Schroeder
Katherine I appreciate your thoughts. I think your important line up of jobs is spot on. Teaching up coming generations is priceless. Thanks for serving in these nurturing roles!
Cleo J Waters
Oh this rings ‘home’. I remember that as a little girl I wanted to have my own ironing board and be a member of a PTA! I wonder how many little girls in these days have their goals set on such.
Sylvia Schroeder
Ha! I think you are right. Sometimes really important things are the most mundane. Thanks for reading and I appreciate the comment!
Candyce Carden
Lovely post. And you’ve obviously passed your mother’s legacy on to your daughter.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Candyce. Three mommy-daughters and a mommy-daughter-in-law and they are all marvelous in their important jobs as mommies. I am grateful. I appreciate so much you reading and commenting. Thanks!
Jen
I struggled with my role of “just a mom” for a long time. Now I wish I could go back and change my mindset and value the gift I was given. Life always looks different on the other side. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Jen! I think it is a struggle for all moms. I remember struggling as well. Yet, looking back, I am so grateful for those years, and that mom-hood keeps going! Happy Mother’s Day!