Saturday, January 22, 2011

He is discipling me?

I read a great quote in Timothy Keller's book Prodigal God that reminded me that the point of knowing Jesus is becoming more like him. I have heard this before, but as I thought about it again, I applied it to my current greatest challenge-- mothering--and it shed new light on the Christian walk for me.

It occurred to me, "What if the whole point of mothering--the training, disciplining, correcting, and instructing-- is really to make me more like Christ?" Of course I have understood sanctification through my circumstances in the past, but it suddenly came to light for me. As a mother, the endless times I am instructing, I am being taught to be like Christ. The countless times of disciplining, I am being disciplined myself in righteousness. The repetition of my words is working in me faith. The endless conversation with my kids is the word of God being worked into me.

It might not be new. But it was realized in a fresh way to me. The job of motherhood, especially to little ones, can be very wearying. There is usually less than one hour a day where someone is not crying or needing me. The joy in this life though is that this is the current circumstance which is drawing me closer to God, making me love Him more, and it is teaching me to be more Christ-like.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

3 comments:

Lambros Chicks said...

It is so good that God has shown this to you Nora instead of being discourage about never having any time to yourself or with God you can see His perfect timing and his discipling and caring for you.

Dutch said...

One of my all time favorite verses, Nortje!

tessa said...

so true Norah. whenever i discipline Josh I say "Obey Mama?" to which he replies "o-bey" and think that's how simple the Heavenly Father would encourage me also to Him saying "Obey, Mama." often times the simplicity and repetitiveness of this toddler training season speaks those sames truths to my disobedient heart. our God is so merciful!