February 22, 2010 11:02 AM
Martin Luther on motherhood
Our natural reason looks at marriage and turns up its nose and says, "Alas! Must I rock the baby? Wash its diapers? Make its bed? Smell its stench? Stay at nights with it? Take care of it when it cries? Heal its rashes and sores? And on top of that care for my spouse, provide labor at my trade, take care of this and take care of that? Do this and do that? And endure this and endure that? Why should I make such a prisoner of myself?"
What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful and despised duties in the spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels.
It says, "O God, I confess I am not worthy to rock that little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of a child and its mother. How is it that I without any merit have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? Oh, how gladly will I do so. Though the duty should be even more insignificant and despised, neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor will distress me for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight."
Art notes: Geri Melchers. Mother and Child, 1905 - from my Mother's Day 2009 Mother and Child art album, which you can always access for inspiration via the button in my bottom left sidebar).
Posted in Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
What a superb quote! All mothers need reminding of this now and then.
Posted by: Kristina | February 22, 2010 2:52 PM
I really needed this-TODAY.
Thank you.
Posted by: sandra | February 23, 2010 7:53 AM
