Contrary to popular opinion, motherhood still matters. Now, to be clear, you won’t find many people claiming that motherhood doesn’t matter anymore, it’s simply what they believe. The numbers don’t lie and tell the real story of how much Canadians value children and the mothers who raise them.
MOTHERHOOD BY THE NUMBERS
1971 was the last year that replacement-level fertility was reached (2.1 children) in Canada; meaning that couples, on average, had reproduced enough children to replace themselves. That number was roughly 6.56 in 1851 and is 1.33 today nationally and 1.11 in BC — the lowest in the country. This demographical shift over the last 150 years has resulted in a transition from a country with a relatively young and growing population to an aging population, that relies on immigration for population growth.
|
Our nation is simultaneously doing away with marriage. A 2017 national survey concluded that “most people no longer believe in marriage.” Simply put, we are not a country that values marriage and children. Generally speaking, our nation doesn’t believe in marriage and doesn’t want to have kids. |
"Simply put, we are not a country that values marriage and children. Generally speaking, our nation doesn’t believe in marriage and doesn’t want to have kids." |
Famous Canadian actor, Seth Rogan, put it crassly in an interview recently, stating: “Thank God we don’t have children, we get to do whatever we want…. I don't know anyone who gets as much happiness out of their kids as we get out of our non-kids. Like, we’re… psyched all the time! We're laying in bed on Saturday mornings smoking weed, watching movies naked. If we had kids, we could not be… doing this."
Children are inconvenient roadblocks to the individualism and autonomy that our society values so greatly. But while society might see you as The Little House On The Prairie if you’re married and have two or more children, I’m here to tell you that motherhood (and fatherhood, of course) still matters.
In a society that doesn’t value what you do, inside of the church we value what you do; motherhood matters in the church. Even better, God values what you do. In the beginning, God creates man and woman and gives them a mandate: Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. In other words, get married, work hard, and raise a family to the glory of God. The reason you desire these things is because God made them.
Now, the Apostle Paul comes along in the New Testament and says that remaining single may be an even better option because your life can be single-mindedly devoted to the cause of the gospel in the world, but the Bible clearly affirms Jesus-oriented motherhood and Jesus-oriented singleness as both wonderful, God-glorifying approaches to life. Conversely, it is the me-centred approach to life that God does not value.
THE GOD’S HONEST TRUTH ABOUT MOTHERS
You know how much God values motherhood? He describes Himself like a mother. A lot. Before you freak out and call me a heretic, hear me out: In the creation account God says “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Gen. 1:26) and then makes them male and female. It is only in the diversity and unity of male and female that the diversity and the unity of the Trinity is somehow mysteriously imprinted onto humanity.
And then throughout the Bible God does this beautiful thing; at key moments when He wants to describe some of His key characteristics He uses the analogy of a mother. Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young (Deut. 32:11); a nursing mother (Isa. 49:15); a mother comforting her child (Isa. 66:13); and a mama bear (Hos. 13:8). When Jesus laments over Jerusalem He uses an analogy about motherhood (Lk. 13:34). Why? Because motherhood best represents the love of God for wayward kids.
"...the selflessness of motherhood displays the gospel in a unique way." |
Just as mothers show us what God is like in key ways, the selflessness of motherhood displays the gospel in a unique way. Jesus put His own needs aside to tend to the needs of others. Mark 10 tells us that Jesus came not to be served but to serve (v.45), something moms model for us so poignantly. Motherhood comes with great sacrifice, suffering, and thanklessness — I think that’s why our society has recoiled from the role so dramatically — but when moms embrace it, you show us the gospel. We see Jesus in you. |
|
You may have never thought about it this way, but biblical motherhood serves as an apologetic (testimony, a defence of the faith) and a compelling alternative to the bankrupt radical individualism of our day. |
"...biblical motherhood serves as an apologetic...and a compelling alternative to the bankrupt radical individualism of our day." |
THE TEMPTATION FOR MOTHERS
One of the challenges of motherhood (of which there are many!) is not to make your kids an idols. An idol is a God-substitute that you turn into your primary identity. A Christian’s identity is primarily “in Christ”. Moms love their kids so deeply and sacrificially that it's tempting to wrap up your identity in your kids and believe that you’re a success if they become a success; that you’re a somebody if they become a somebody. But that puts your value precariously up in the air, robs Jesus of His rightful place in your life (for His glory and your good) and, ironically, places a crushing weight to achieve on the children you love so much; a weight that only Jesus can handle.
"...it's tempting to wrap up your identity in your kids and believe that you’re a success if they become a success; that you’re a somebody if they become a somebody." |
THE REST MOTHERS NEED MOST
When your identity’s in Christ, moms, it keeps you from making too much of motherhood (idolatry) and being affected by a society that makes too little of motherhood.
The one who rules and reigns, the one who paid the penalty for sin (when you fail and your kids fail), the one who intercedes on your behalf when you cry for help, says this: “Come to me, all you who labour and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Said another way, “All you exhausted and sleep deprived moms, who worry about your kids and feel the weight of the world to raise them right in the midst of a culture that doesn’t value what you do, come to me and I will give you rest.”
Jesus invites you to be satisfied in Him. That’s where you will find the rest you need most.
Related Article
ENGAGED CHRISTIAN FATHERS
ARE A REVOLUTION
Article by Matt Shantz
Photo credit: Raya & Yana Photography