Motherhood Too Hard?

Proud Mommy Comments


I read the following story a few days ago.....

When we were going around the world we stopped one day at Thursday Island, and there I heard a sorrowful tale. There is much leprosy on the other side of the world, especially in the tropics. One day, not far from Thursday Island, it was found that a little boy and girl belonging to a good home were lepers. The laws are very strict, and while the wealth of the father of the children was great, it was decided that the family should live alone on another island. The mother stole away with the children and was lost in Sidney for two years, until, strange to say, her children were admitted to the schools. Then the law found them again and they were taken back to the vicinity of Thursday Island, and the law began its operation. The children were separated from the family and sent to the leper island. But how did they become lepers? How? The mother, with her love of social position, thought the cares of motherhood too heavy, so she had a South Sea Island woman to care for her children, and she was leprous.

This was the story, and when I heard it and saw what a harvest had come to that woman for the seeds she had sown, I could not withhold my tears. It is hard to sin when sin hurts yourself and tosses you on your bed so that you cannot sleep, and you say: Will the morning never come? But it is harder still to sin and to hurt one's wife and children, or other dear ones. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The man that spoke the above lived from 1859-1918. His name was Wilbur Chapman. He was an American evangelist, revivalist and pastor. He wrote the words to the hymns One Day, Jesus! What A Friend for Sinners (Our Great Saviour) and 'Tis Jesus.

I am surprised at how much of this sermon applies to today. I have never been able to put my finger on it but this explains it perfectly. I see so many woman today that think the cares of motherhood are too heavy. Other things are more important to them. Usually, it is money but it can also be time, activities, social status, or other people. It breaks my heart to see the mother that misses out on all the blessings her children have to offer. They miss out on all the love that comes so naturally from a child to it's mother.

Of course, the child misses out on so much as well. What life experiences can Mother teach her children? What lessons has Mother learned that she can spare her children from? How will they know? Who will teach them these things? Who will teach them about giving unselfishly to others? Who will teach them manners and what is appropriate? Who will teach them that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive? Who will teach them right from wrong? Who will teach them why we do the things we do or why we shouldn't do the things we do? Who will take the time? Who cares about your children more than you do? There isn't anyone on this planet that cares more about your children than you, dear Mother. You are it. It you don't have the time or the concern no one else will. Your children rely on you. They count on you and trust in you. Even when we, as Mothers, do not deserve it they are still loving us and looking up to us.

In our society it is a terrible cycle. The burden of motherhood is too heavy to many. The mother is too busy with church activities, or is busy with social activities, is just too busy. She wants her social life, her job, or something else more than she desires to be a good mother. However, when she is with the child she feels guilty. She often withholds affection (saving her affections for other things or other people) and lavishes things upon the child (toys, clothes, gifts, candy, etc.) because of her guilt. Later, as the child grows she has not spent the time to teach and train the child. The child then becomes difficult, rebellious, or worse. The child often becomes resentful towards the mother and demanding. Often, the child becomes what the parent has created in selfishness, materialism, and total rebellion. Of course, the child is selfish and materialistic. Mother taught them that loves is shown through things. When you feel unhappy here is a new toy, some candy, or a new outfit. Of course, the child is rebellious. As you were busy you felt too much guilt to discipline when you were around the child. How can you discipline and cause any sadness in the life of your child when you have given nothing else? You haven't given love, affection, or time and now you are going to give discipline? As the love, affection, and time go so will the discipline.

Then the mother does not like the child. Sadly, she is the one that created the child the way it is. I hate seeing this but I am seeing it more and more.

There is no respect and honor given to mothers in a lot of cases. Mothers are often seen as "only mothers". Without a career and/or social standing being a mother is not seen as enough. How sad for the children. How sad for the Mother.

Being a Mother is not just giving birth. It is a life time commitment. With such a long commitment comes life long rewards though.

The generation I grew up in was the generation where divorce was starting to happen a lot more often. Once the parents were divorced Mother had to go to work full time. That started the generation of latch-key kids. This was the beginning of the generation of kids that came home to empty houses and often left for school without a hug or kiss from Mom. Breakfast from Mom? Who had time for that? I guess these girls grew up thinking that was normal. It is no big deal to not have Mom at home, right? Now those girls are Mothers. It seems that most homes are empty when the children come home or they are with babysitters all day or in school. At the end of the day Mother is tired. The sacrifice is too great. Mother just wants to rest and not deal with an unruly child.

When does Mother love, nurture, teach, and train her little darlings?

Dear Mothers listen to me. Motherhood is not too hard. Giving of yourself to your children and your family is not a burden too difficult. Yes, you give and you can grow weary. Like all other things in life that kind of giving is really worth it though. You can't give more than you will get. No other creature on earth will love and adore you unconditionally. Eventually, they will see your faults but they will also see your love. Don't let someone else raise your children. Don't lose your very own children to this world. Give them them the time and the love they need.

When you die you can't take your social status or activities with you.

You can take your children with you.

The cares of motherhood are NOT too hard.

Being a mother is an honor.

Being a mother changes lives.

Being a GOOD mother changes lives in a positive way.


Proverbs 31
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

To read the entire sermon, above, click here.