My husband comes from a family of 14 kids. Every year on the 4th of July, we have a family reunion with his side of the family, at a local park. My husband and all 13 of his siblings were there for the picnic and pictures. There were also many of their kids and grandkids. (Over 100 people!) The picture below is all 14 kids with their spouses.
Seven of the twelve live in this area, and we all attend the same church. All seven are involved in the ministry there. One brother is the music director, another one works in the Spanish ministry.
What a blessing it is to see how God is using all of them!
It’s especially exciting to me as I think about my mother-in-law, and her part in their lives. She was such a special, and wonderful lady! She was involved in the church till she became sick, then went home to be with the Lord.
Her husband wasn’t a believer, and the kids were allowed to choose at 7th grade whether they wanted to go to the church he went to, or to the Baptist church she was involved in.
They all chose to go with her, trusted the Lord as their Savior, and went on to grow and become dedicated Christians. (Her husband did accept Christ before he died.)
Looking at the picture above of all the kids and grandchildren (many were missing!), I have to think that if she was able to see from heaven, it made her smile! (Bottom picture at the top of the page)
Because of her influence and teaching as a mom, many people are now being influenced and reached through her kids and their kids.
What a thrill to see that her influence didn’t stop with the kids she raised, but they passed on the faith to their children, who are passing it on to theirs!
What a legacy of faith!
I’m sure she had no idea how far-reaching her influence would be through the fourteen children she raised.
However, her work for the Lord continues through the kids she raised, as well as their kids who are now serving the Lord and training their young ones to know Him.
I have to wonder how many times over the years of raising fourteen children, she got discouraged?
How many times did she feel like she wasn’t doing “anything” that mattered?
All she ever did was stay home, cook, clean, do the never-ending laundry, and take care of kids.
But look at that picture, and think of the results of those years of giving to her family, and caring for them, while influencing them by her love for the Lord.
When you are tired or discouraged, remember that you are preparing your kids to go into battle.
It may not be easy, but it will be worth it in the end when you see them go on to be used by God.
RELATED: (When You Wonder If Your Parenting Is Worth It!)
Your ministry and influence don’t just end when you are no longer able to do what you once did.
It continues on in the lives of your grown children, and their children, and on through the generations to come.
(Read this for encouragement: To My Mother, From Your Son: An Open Letter To The Woman Who Gave Me Her All)
Being a mom is an incredible gift. But don’t get me wrong. Being a mom is tough!
Maybe today you find yourself overwhelmed, discouraged and struggling.
If you use any of those words you use to describe yourself, you’re in the right place! You can get the help you need!
Join me for the first-ever Purposeful Mom’s Online Retreat. If you have ever wanted a mentor to come beside you and share from experience, now is your chance!
Attend the Purposeful Mom’s online retreat and you will leave feeling encouraged, renewed and refreshed!
The conference date is Feb 21-22nd and pre-sale tickets are now available at a price that will meet any mom where they are at.
Oh and the best part?? You can come in your PJs! 🙂
Why not mention it to your husband as a great option for a Valentine’s Day gift!
12 Responses
Thanks Alicia!It’s so easy to forget how important our influence is as mothers, even in the daily mundane.
What a great reminder of the perspective we should have as moms! We are having an impact today and in the future, and only Jesus knows what that fully entails! Thank you for sharing this with us on this week’s Homeschool Mother’s Journal. 🙂
Hi Miranda. I’m glad you liked the post. Thanks so much for sharing, and for taking time to stop in. 🙂
Hi Melanie! Thanks so much for stopping in, and for your kind words. Thanks for sharing on Pinterest also. 🙂 Nice to “meet” you!
I love this! I shared it on my Facebook page.
Hey Kathie,
I came over on #RaisingHomemakers today, and I”m glad to find your site. I also followed you on Pinterest and Twitter and added your pin here:
https://www.pinterest.com/melredd/blog-link-parties-and-blog-link-ups/
Thanks for sharing such a great word on being a mom and the influence we can have on our kids and families! What an encouragement this is!
Hope you will have a blessed day today~
Melanie
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for stopping in. My mother-in-law was a very special, Godly woman! I’m thankful for the time I got to enjoy her company, and for her example.
Wow … Amen! What a wonderful post and beautiful pictures. What an amazing women your mother-in-law must have been! Thank you so much for sharing! Blessings, ~Sarah (visiting from Radical Femininity)
I love the idea of calling motherhood a career! 🙂
Oh how you are so so right! As mothers, especially those of us that have the opportunity to stay at home with our children, teaching and guiding them through life, we might often get discouraged or wonder if we’re really making a difference. We are…the fact that we are there helping them to learn, pushing them when they need it, letting them go when it’s time, and all the other things we do as mothers. Those things are so very very important.
I heard a woman/mother friend say once that she has a career as a mother. I thought it was so perfect and helped me to overcome my struggle with the change and now I fully embrace my Motherhood Career! 🙂