“…unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:23-26)
These impossible words from our Lord…impossible, that is, for one who does not possess the spirit of the living God.
And still so hard for the one who does.
This verse made me think of motherhood and children. “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies…”
There is a dying to produce life. God knew that. And that death that seems painful to us at times, He knew would bring about “many seeds”.
I thought about “many seeds”. And “olive shoots around your table.” And fruitfulness. When we “die” to our fear, our control, our plans, our pride–when we die to ourselves, we become able to increase with so much more capacity. Both in sheer number, and in our ability to become a true disciple of Christ. (“Nevertheless it is not I, but He that lives in me.”)
No, our culture doesn’t esteem motherhood, because it’s not very fond of dying. It doesn’t esteem the things of God for that same reason.
But those who have tasted of that wonderful gift of grace know about the secret–the underground miracle of rebirth and producing many seeds.
As mothers, can we cling to this analogy, glory in our “many seeds”, and long for nothing more than to allow God the room to do with us what He wills?
If not, He’ll keep us dying all the time, until we finally do give up and die once and for all…for His glory and purpose.
Devotions, Advice & Renewal for When Motherhood Feels Too Hard
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19 comments
Amen, Amen,Amen!! Beautifully said.
Wow, this is so true! For me to live is Christ but to die is gain
Phil. 1:21
btw… love your background music!
I first learned this concept many, many years ago from my “spiritual mother” Elisabeth Elliot. Thanks for posting this beautiful image!
Kim m.–Thanks…I’ve been meaning to do a “music or not” post…it annoys some people, so trying to decide whether to leave it.
I only get annoyed with loud, blasting or obnoxious music. Like when my hubby has to go to bed early and I log on and “BOOM”!!!! it wakes up the entire house. LOL
But that would be my fault wouldn’t it since I forgot to click “mute”. 😉
This …. is pretty. I love Jim Brickman.
WW – since you brought it up, I did enjoy the music the first couple times I dropped in. Not so much the last 15 times. I’m not the only one on this computer, so even though I mute the sound, It dosen’t stay that way. Like I said, I did enjoy it. I just got tired of it. But really enjoy the site, as always.
Oh, and Kim M. I really like your new default photo. It makes me happy!
Thanks, Lori!
It was just a random snapshot, but I like how it turned out too. It reminds me of a hen with her chicks!
By the way.. regarding the music…. I like it, but I hope I am not selfish enough to demand you leave it on there if it bugs you or other people. 🙂 I can always go on rhapsody. com or somewhere else if I need to hear it. 😀
Kim M – A very happy hen! Thanks, I’d never heard of Rhapsody.com. I’ll check it out!
I think the music is nice so long as you have the option to mute it easily–like by putting the box up at the top of the blog where it’s clearly visible. Love your blog!
The music is fine. If I don’t want it, I just turn the speaker off.
Oh, yes, about dying to yourself: we have grown children, but still find ourselves dying to ourselves regularly for their sakes.
Like Leslie above, I consider Elisabeth Elliot a spiritual mother. How I thank God for her voice on the radio when I first began staying home. Keep the message going.. I’m enjoying your blog!
Oh, Kelly, speaking of how some people think of their children as “accidents”, our second son was born in England at the “Accident Hospital” in the city near where we lived. I guess that is where they took victims of automobile accidents, but they provided other kinds of medical care there, too, including delivering babies.
We took our son back to England last Christmas to show him the British hospital in which he was born (I told the receptionist that I was bring him back for a refund), and he really got a kick out of seeing the road sign pointing to the “Accident Hospital”.
I assured him that he was no accident, though!
Civilla,
That is great! (a refund–LOL!)
[…] Dying to Live […]
As soon as I observed this web site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them. “Love the little trade which thou hast learned, and be content therewith.” by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.
Vilket härligt gäng med julkort du visar idag!!Som jag skrivit förut, jag är djupt imponerad över att du tog dig an den MEGA-beställningen =)Mycket smart att jobba med dom 2 och 2. Jag tycker verkligen du lyckats göra alla julkorten unika och olika vilket är en bra bedrift med tanke på antalet =)Jag ser fram emot att få titta på nästa laddning julkort =)Kram från mig!