You are more than a mom.
Those words come as a shock or even a slap in the face to some, because for those women, it's all they know. Rather, it's all they remember.
I'm a mom that works outside of the home. It's difficult for me to see from this vantage point, but many of my stay-at-home-mom friends would nod their heads in agreement with me across cyberspace when I say it's super easy to let yourself go when your home and family IS your job. Your world revolves around that life, around your children and all their things, because you're a selfless human being. You pour your heart and soul into raising kind, compassionate children. You're a mom.
But you are more than a mom.
Maybe you have a job, but it's only something to pay the bills. There's no fulfillment in it. So, for you, the only thing you ever get any fulfillment from is, you guessed it, motherhood. You have dreams, plans, goals that have been put on the proverbial back burner because your kids come first.
But should they? Maybe that's another blog for another day...
You look at all those Instagram accounts with the perfectly styled photographs and kids that always smile for photos (like, really?) and wonder how in the world they do it. Truth be told, I know some of "those" moms, and they don't always have it all together. Sometimes their worlds fall apart and they collapse into a puddle of tears in the corner of a bathroom somewhere (maybe not even their own) because they just can't take one. more. thing.
But why do we feel this way? Why do the moms who don't work outside the home sometimes feel jealous of those who have more adult interaction in one hour than they do in an entire week? Why do those who choose not to have children feel judged by those who so desperately want to but cannot, and vice versa?
Maternal instincts are a part of our design. We were, in fact, created to mother in some fashion. The problem is that we've put motherhood (or our idea of it) on a pedestal. I would dare say that in our culture we've begun to idolize it. Unfortunately, in the process, we've forgotten what else we are... and WHOSE else we are.
You have dreams, goals, desires placed in your heart by God. Those aren't for God to use as a dangling carrot. They're purposeful. Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." He gave you those desires because He has plans for you.
Have you lost sight of what you're capable of? Have you forgotten the deep calling placed on your life back in fifth grade at summer camp? Or yet, have you forgotten that you are a loved and valued child of God? THIS is the identity we live for. It's the only thing that cannot and will not change with time. Lean into His voice.
You are more than a mom. You are a daughter of the King.