Lift Your Eyes: 10 Days of Beholding Christ in Motherhoodਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 10: When Your Cup Overflows

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
—Psalm 23:6

As I glance through photos and journal entries from my first year as a mother of four, I see a weary woman. At that time, I wasn’t getting more than a few hours of sleep in one stretch, was working odd hours at the hospital as a nurse, and was also attempting to homeschool our oldest two children with a toddler underfoot and a baby on my hip. I found it nearly impossible to lift my gaze beyond the immediate needs of my children—sleepless nights, constant diaper changes, tantrums—to imagine that motherhood would ever become easier or more enjoyable than it was at that moment. In addition, I had a limited perspective on my role as a disciple-maker in the grand scheme of eternity.

But looking back, I realize those days were fleeting, as all seasons are. We are now in the phase of parenting children who are in the sweet spot between diapers and driving. Our days are still full, but we are enjoying a good night’s sleep. More importantly, we are witnessing spiritual growth in our children and grasping the true purpose of parenthood: guiding our kids to know, love, trust, and obey Jesus.

Our loving Father invites us to enjoy his good gifts in every season, not pining for the past or dreading the days to come. He asks us to be present in the moment and entrust our future to him.

Motherhood is full of valleys. But all mothers can attest that there are mountaintop moments as well, days your cup overflows. The first time your child says “I love you” without being prompted or brings you a handful of wilted wildflowers? A taste of heaven. The day your son or daughter places their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? Indescribable joy! These moments call for true celebration.

One day, years from now, you’ll look back on your most challenging days as a mom and recognize God’s hand was at work in a thousand different ways: comforting, shepherding, sustaining, and providing for you. He never left your side. He was always there. But even as we look to our past and are comforted by his presence, we can also look to the future and rejoice in what he is preparing for us. The prophet Isaiah gives us a glimpse of the joy that awaits us:

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." (Isaiah 25:6-9).

Maybe you’re in the trenches or running on empty as you read these words. Hang on, friend. Don’t lose hope. Hold tightly to God’s promise never to leave or forsake you, because he never will. Whether here on earth or in heaven, the dark valleys you’re walking through will transform into mountaintops of joy as you lift your eyes to the one who was, and is, and is to come!

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Lift your eyes to behold and worship him: your Help, Provider, the God who sees you, your Protector, Keeper, Comfort, Shepherd, and Sustainer.

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We hope this plan was helpful to you. You can read more from Whitney Newby in her book, Lift Your Eyes, available here.