There's No Gold Star Award For Mommy

Motherhood is the original thankless job.
(I know they say it’s the second-oldest profession, but surely there was SOME gratitude involved for the first!)

Since the first child was born, mothers have been pouring all their mental, emotional and material resources into their babies and receiving very little in return.

I know, we receive their love and sweet little smiles. Sometimes.

But we also receive their tantrums. And their screams. And, well, their poop.

And then they get bigger, which is a whole new problem.

That’s the way it has to be, right?

After all, one day our kids will have their own children who will turn around to do the same thing to them.

(Unless they’re boys. But that’s another story.)

So we all understand that this is way it has to be when you’re raising children.

But I tell you, it’s tough when you’re going through it.

As author Jo Anne Miller said, “The work of motherhood is unseen, intangible, unrewarded and unending.”

You said it, sister!

Just trying to write this short essay I’ve been interrupted a good fifteen times by my own demanding toddlers.

Would it be so hard for them to just say a little thank-you in return?

(Yes. I know. They’re TODDLERS. I’m dreaming here.)

But the truth is, I’m not supposed to even be looking for anything in return for my efforts as a mother OR as a Christian.

Colossians 3:23-24

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Matt 6:1-4

1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Hmmm. So it looks like I’ve had the wrong idea all along here. We’re not supposed to be working for any rewards, even gratitude. We do it all as unto the Lord, in an attitude of thankfulness for all He's given US.

After all, aren't WE the original thankless children?


above image from amazon.com