We all know mothering can be hard, mundane, sleep-depriving, and even thankless work at times. And yet, we still do it day-after-day knowing that it is important. Deep down we realize that somehow it is a divine calling. There is meaning to our work. Stephanie Dibb Sorensen helps mothers to find that meaning in her new book, Covenant Motherhood, by sharing insights into how our work as mothers leads us to Jesus Christ.
There have been times I have glimpsed this in my own life – when folding towels or cooking meals for instance – I have recognized the similarities to what the Savior did in His earthly ministry. That knowledge has awakened me to the beauty awaiting in the most mundane moments of life. It has given me strength to carry on as I sense His presence in my everyday work as a mother.
With chapters titles such as Jesus Christ Creates, Jesus Christ Teaches, Jesus Christ Cleanses, Jesus Christ Defends and Protects, we learn the ministry of motherhood is patterned after the Savior’s ministry. This insight is masterfully taught by Stephanie using examples from her own mothering experiences.
“One afternoon, I was sitting on the floor in my daughter’s room changing her soiled diaper. I removed it, cleaned her, and fastened on a fresh diaper. The following scripture came into my mind: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18). It dawned on me that Jesus Christ was in the cleaning business. A crucial part of His mission was taking things or people that were soiled and making them clean. In that moment I felt a flow of love and revelation – clusters of thoughts and ideas that started to fit together like a puzzle. My job was a reflection of His. It could teach me about Him and make me more like Him. This was life-changing information.” (Covenant Motherhood, p. 36)
After reading Covenant Motherhood the Savior’s call to the Nephites takes on new meaning, “for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” {3 Nephi 27:21-22} In the sweeping of crumbs, scrubbing of toilets, wiping of tears, helping with homework, and goodnight kisses holiness beckons.
I have a copy of Covenant Motherhood to giveaway today! To enter leave a comment sharing a mothering experience from this past month that particularly brought you joy. The giveaway will end on Tuesday, May 7th at 8 pm PST.
My mothering success was when my 3-year-old went to the bathroom all by himself. That one little success helps to put the hundreds of failures in perspective. Maybe he will be potty-trained before kindergarten!
My 2.5 yr old toddler climbing in bed with me in the morning and cuddling me brings me joy each morning. My other children usually join in as well if I don’t get up quickly. I love hearing the 2.5 yr old say “I love you mom” also. It’s so sweet to hear it out of his little voice.
Last Saturday I was called by a friend to come and watch his kids, including the newborn while he went to the hospital to be with his wife. She had been admitted for the second time since having a C section.
We had just had a surprise party for my son the night before and I had a long laundry list of things to do on Saturday.
When I came home from my friends my heart was filled with much joy. I expected to find the house in an awful state yet the dishes and kitchen were sparkly, the floors picked up and vacuumed. Most of the flat surfaces were clean. My family had blessed my life here at home. I was amazed and I cherish the service they rendered me. Because of their service I had time to take a nap and work on getting rid of a nasty headache. Being a mother is a lot of work but I find such joy in the tiny unexpected moments.
Great post!I’ve heard about this book and would love to read it. Just one mothering experience?? Kidding. When we left on our trip to NYC last week, I found a little love note in my suitcase from my 7-year-old. It melted me on the spot!
Realizing what my kids needs are more lately has brought me joy!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I love this. My mothering moment: watching my almost 3 y/o and 8 mo/o playing together outside. They are such good buddies. I just hope it stays that way.
Watching my 11 month old take his first steps! I love being a mother!!
Judi 🙂
Watching my two children develop a relationship and listening to them play together brings me such joy. Also watching my son showing concern and compassion for those around him, including the baby growing inside of me that he hasn’t even met yet.
I LOVE that quote you shared from the book!! One of the most recent experiences that brought me joy was last night as we took a family walk. I noticed that our 9 year old son and 4 1/2 year old daughter were holding hands as they walked. I love those small tender moments that make the challenges of motherhood all worth it :0)
Those quotes on motherhood are just lovely. Here is my little recent motherhood experience: On Saturday we were about two hours away from home in the middle of nowhere. My 20 month old threw up (a lot) in her car seat. We pulled over and I started cleaning her up with the limited resources we had in our car. As I wiped her off she kept saying, “I love Mommy” between sobs. Although it was not a fun task (especially since I am already nauseated from pregnancy) I just thought about motherhood and how much these little, helpless souls need mothers who love them. I really felt that my daughter was thankful for me at that moment and that brought me so much joy.
Last weekend my 11yr old daughter was invited to her first school dance. I loved that she didn’t even ask to go, just started planning an alternative activity for herself and her friends. They even invited a few non-members who made it 3 feet into the dance and backed away because “it didn’t feel good.” I love watching them grow up strong together.
This last weekend my husband was out of town and I was trying to get my kids to clean their rooms. My daughter kept repeating that it was too much. (It really wasn’t that messy) and my son was having a difficult time getting a hold of his emotions, so it wasn’t a great morning. My daughter even told me she wished I was the chiropractor and daddy was at home. Needless to say I didn’t feel great about the situation. But on Sunday both my daughter and my son, at different times said I rocked. So in spite of the difficult day before I know my kids still appreciate me and want to be with me and have me for their mom.
I taught my 6 and 4 year old daughters how to fold clothes and my 6 year old proclaimed, “Thank you mom for teaching me how to fold clothes, now I’ll know how to teach my kids how to do this too.” She wants to be a mom, I better be a good example!
Last week my son said some hurtful words, and he came back crying a few minutes later and sincerely apologized and wished he could take back his words. I was so glad that he made the choice himself to apologize.
The impromptu pillow fight before family prayers. It is so great to laugh and play together!
I have loved nursing my baby this past few weeks. She is starting to smile and it makes it worth it. And when the other children say, “Hold me. My turn.” I love that
This book sounds amazing! I remember a few seconds last week when all my kids were playing together in one room without fighting and thinking how wonderful if was!
My kids bring me joy somehow everyday. yesterday, they wanted to share their testimonies during FHE, and even my 1 1/2 year old tried. They ended up playing a game we have since dubbed, “Amen .” They all three knelt around an ottoman, said/yelled, “Amen!!,” and ran to the couch and threw themselves onto it, giggling the whole time. I love having little children, as tough as it is sometimes. They are joyful creatures.
My favorite mothering moment this week was walking into our master bathroom and finding the bathtub filled with toilet paper. I called to everyone and asked who had done this and my 4 year old told me she did it. I asked her why and she looked at me with wide eyes and said, “Well, I had to make your telescope.” I had forgotten that earlier that afternoon she had given me a decorated toilet paper roll while proclaiming proudly that she had made me a telescope. 🙂
Watching my 7 yr old daughter tell a story she had made up and shared with us through pictures she had created to go along with the story.
Our children have been in a bit of a competitive and rivalry stage, uggh! So, the moments when I hear a spontaneous I love you between them or witness a spontaneous hug or kiss on the cheek, it is oh so good!
And, I already own this book and it is wonderful. I have read it once but plan to read it a second time soon. I would pass this book on as a gift to another mother. 🙂
Ooh, I’ve been meaning to check out her book!
The other day I was running late getting to a concert. I had to get all the kids in the car, drive to them a friend’s house, then run to the concert. We get in the car and it won’t start. A light was left on and it drained the battery. I asked my 3 year old to pray for us that the car would work. He said a short, sweet and to the point prayer. And the car started! I’m so glad his little prayer was answered.
My missionary son emailed me a sketch of him and I together outside the Sacramento Temple on the day he was endowed. Happy Mother’s Day!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I would LOVE to get a copy of this book!
Something that has brought me joy this last month….Living Room tag! I sit in the middle of the living room and tag anybody and everybody that I can reach from my sitting position. My 5 kids 2-13 all love it! There are often multiple taggings going on at the same time. Like everybody is it, and nobody wants to be tagged, but tag someone else first. It is a crazy, wild, chaotic game with no clearly defined rules (spoken ones, anyway), and we all laugh and have fun.
Although I am a mother, the experience I just had was as a sister-in-law, and an aunt. A few hours ago I got home from my new nephew’s birth! It was just amazing to witness such a profound event! I then had the opportunity to take the new baby’s brother home with me and spend some time with him. I had so much fun playing with him today! It was a reminder of the great joy that comes from spending focussed, one-on-one time with your little ones!
My four month old has recently started laying his head on my shoulder and sucking his thumb. Having him so content and snuggled up with me makes me feel like I’m worth a bajillion bucks.
My two year old, after another night of climbing in bed to sleep next to me, turned to me very early in the morning and said “I love you more than candy.” Then after pondering for a minute added “and I LOVE candy!”
Just stopping to enjoy the simplicity of my children was a highlight of my month. Hearing my 7 and 9 year old playing 20 Questions, and the two year old shouting out answers: “Chicken! Seat belt! Pajamas!” 🙂
One particularly joyful moment was when I realized a mere “thought” had been a crucial warning for one of my children’s physical and spiritual safety. I was so filled with joy when the conversation I had with my son the next morning confirmed to me that the “thought” truly was a prompting from the Holy Ghost.
It seems that very suddenly my oldest daughter has become an adult with college recruiters and employers calling the house. I’m very excited for her but feeling a little anxious about letting go… It went so fast!
This weekend, my middle daughter was baptized. My oldest played the violin at her baptism, and she played with more confidence and calm tha I have ever seen her play in front of others before. I was able to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. My daughter who was baptized was so happy and filled with joy. It was a perfect day. I know that this is a big moment, and there have been plenty of small, joy filled moments as well. But this was so special and looks large in my thoughts right now.
last night I was in bed with the covers pulled tight (going into winter here soon)with two children tucked under my arms and reading The wishing Chair by Enid Blyton. My 6 year old kept begging me to read more, my voice was almost going hoarse but my 3 year old fell asleep tighly coiled up next to me. I was blessed to really see how special it was (even though I read almost nightly)
My baby let me rock him to sleep. He usually prefers to be laid down drowsy. I was so grateful for this cuddle time with him.
My 20 month old daughter said “love you” right after I had expressed my love for her. It was the first time she had said it back to me. It was one of those shining moments of motherhood!
Wow–I loved all the comments so far. I’ve been insanely busy and hormonal lately, so I can’t think of much that’s been that great (you have to stop once in awhile to notice these things!) but I swear every time I see my 6 year old’s gap tooth grin it makes me smile.
It seems that some of my best teaching opportunities come when my older boys are trying to prolong bedtime. I just left my oldest son’s room after having one of those long conversations where you just feel like you really connected. I am always so grateful to have those moments that seem to happen so infrequently in the craziness of life with a houseful of young children.
It seems that some of my best teaching opportunities come when my older boys are trying to prolong bedtime. I just left my oldest son’s room after having one of those long conversations where you just feel like you really connected. I am always so grateful to have those moments that seem to happen so infrequently in the craziness of life with a houseful of young children.
I discovered Stephanie’s blog last month, and have since been so looking forward to reading her book. I recently shared on my blog what was to me such a sweet and powerful mothering experience. For me, it was one of those moments when everything slows down and the gospel becomes very clear and very relatable to the simplest of a mother’s labors.
http://fiveinthefoothills.blogspot.com/2013/04/close.html
AuntSue
I have been caring for my six month old grandaughter this week while my daughter trains for a job that will enable her to work from home. The struggle to keep this distraught baby happy, when all she wants is her mother, has challenged all my mothering skills. But I see how the years of raising my six babies has taught me to stay calm while she cries and comfort her when she misses her mama. Watching my daughter lovingly care for her baby fills me with such joy. I’m sure our Father rejoices when we care for His little ones with patience, love and tenderness.
Cuddling my 6 year old as he read his first “real” book to me.
Watching my son develop his own burning testimony of the power of prayer. It has been so tender to see his testimony being nurtured as he matures.
I overheard my six year old talking to his new baby sister “Olivia, you wont he fight against satain! You are going to be a good woman someday”. Melts my heart <3
We asked our kids (5 and 3) how Heavenly Father turns weaknesses into strenths. Gabe (my 5 year old) said because he has lots of power. Zach (3) said because he is the only God. It was so sweet to see their comprehension in such a simple way. I SO want this book!!!! 🙂
My children are all adults and my greatest joy comes from seeing them living the Gospel in their homes and doing a better job than I did at their age. All five have turned out to be wonderful, loving, responsible adults and it gives me great joy to know the hard work of raising them was all worth it.
Sounds like an awesome book!! Joy for me comes when a teenage son actually says thank you to me.:) Joy is also when my youngest just wants to snuggle with mom.:)
My two month old daughter has really started to babble and smile back. There is something so amazing in that smile that it fills my heart with love and joy to see something so pure. She and her brothers are my little miracles!
Watching my four year old help his 1 year old sister and giggling all the while as they worked together. That was pretty joyful.