Holy Motherhood

Ah, the responsibility of motherhood. Raising little saints and future leaders; it’s a very big job. Do you know who keeps coming to mind?

Abraham. Yes, Abraham. You may be questioning what he had to do with motherhood. I’ll give it to you straight. Is motherhood not a total and complete sacrifice? A surrender? Total obedience to Divine Providence? What I’m getting at is Abraham’s complete obedience. When God summoned him in Genesis 22:!, Abraham responded, “Here I am.” When God told him to take his only son, whom he love, and offer him as a burnt offering, Abraham complied immediately. When his son Isaac, called to him, “Father,” he responded, “Here I am, my son.” Again, the words, “"Here I am.” Just as he was completely available to his Heavenly Father, he likewise made him self completely available to his son. He demonstrates full surrender to what is being asked of him in his state in life. As Abraham is doing God’s will, his son questions him. His answer is that God himself will provide. There is no floundering, no rationalizing, no dithering, no indecision. We are witnessing simple faith in action. The bible makes no mention of the immense sadness Abraham must be feeling. Nor does it mention any doubt about what he has been asked to do. This blind obedience is the fruit of trust. Trust , in the life of a mother, is everything, God has entrusted these children to us. The trouble is, we don’t share the same level of trust that Abraham demonstrated and we are not detached from our own will. There is no mention of doubt, unbelief or any personal agenda on the part of Abraham. He simply did what he was told in simplicity and trust. Do we do what we are told? Do we even ask? Are we willing to surrender our daily agenda for the sake of God’s plan? Or do we place ourselves at the center and feel frustrated and resentful when children interrupt? In these moments, we literally sacrifice our children. While God’s saving hand rewarded Abraham once he demonstrated he would hold nothing back from God, we do not give everything to God when we place our agenda above our children’s needs. A third time in Genesis 22, Abraham, responds, Here I am, Lord, when God called his name. This indicates to me that he was always listening for the voice of God in his life. Abraham called that place “ The Lord will provide.” Our homes and our families should be consecrated thus. The trust in God’s promises was the foundation of Abraham’s actions. He is further rewarded with blessings beyond measure.

Abraham gave God everything and we must do the same. “Here I am, Lord. I come to do your will.” This is my morning prayer the moment I open my eyes.