Many years ago, on a family vacation, I reflected on my years of performing the endless mundane tasks of motherhood— picking up mountains of socks, supervising numberless naps, and cooking thousands of meals of which only a portion were appreciated. I had wondered if my children would ever eat vegetables and actually like the whole-grain breads that Clay and I preferred. Now there was a sense of "Mom, you are such a good cook! I love our pizzas and homemade bread and soups! (But please don't serve spinach or okra too often.)"

There had been hours of constantly settling fusses over petty issues, continually straightening our home, only to have it messy within a short time. There had been myriad books read, lessons supervised— and still feeling inadequate to do it all. Inadequacy, in fact, had been my familiar and constant companion, overcome only by "His strength is perfected in my weakness" choices of faith.

I had had so many moments when I doubted that anything was being built into the hearts of my children, when my belief that all of this mattered for eternity was all that kept me going, one step at a time. Now, I was seeing that every ordinary act of faithfulness really had mattered greatly and had shaped our children into wholesome, interesting, thinking people.

Now, I can see clearly just how worthwhile the journey has been. The reward of a shared sense of humor and the pure enjoyment and love of being together shows me how glad I am that I held tight to my vision. These children, now towering over me in their grown-up bodies, are just the kind of people I want for friends. Indeed, I consider my family to be my very best friends.

How thankful I am that God, his Word, and his Spirit kept me pressing faithfully onward. God, my precious Father, has himself been my guide and friend as I struggled forward. I have sensed his patience as I have needed to grow, his love and grace when I have failed, his instruction when I needed to learn how to build in reality what he has placed in my heart to do. Simple passages from his Word have given me pathways upon which to walk forward in my journey toward biblical motherhood.

As I look around me, though, I see so many other precious moms floundering and tempted to give up. I see moms who struggle, as I struggled, with a sense of inadequacy and failure. Many who are lonely, feeling unsupported by their families and communities as they work to give their children what they need. I receive hundreds of letters from moms like you, my friend, who are confused, questioning the choices they made, and worrying about the factors in life they can't control. And many are simply tired, running low on the energy they need to be the mothers they truly want to be.

For all these mothers and for those who have yet to encounter moments of discouragement, I want to share a little of what—besides the grace of God—has helped me to continue on this worthwhile journey during this week’s book club. You and I will talk about what it means to be a ministering mother, as well as how to guard our vision of motherhood, and our hearts, for the long journey ahead.

I am so glad you've joined me for the past few weeks of the Life With Sally Book Club! While this is our last week together for this book, stay tuned for more information on our next book club selection! In the meantime, you can take a look at all of the past content for The Lifegiving Home Book Club or catch up on any weeks you may have missed for Mission of Motherhood! I am just so blessed to have you, friend, as a part of my very favorite community and I am so, so glad you're here!

Download Week #6 Scripture Journal

This Week's Reading: Chapter 11 and Chapter 12

After you read this week's reading assignment, hop over to the Life With Sally Forum (button below) to join the discussion for our book club! Here is what we will be thinking, discussing, and pondering over on the forum:

Question #1

On page 203, I write: “The family as a whole can present a beautiful picture to others of the reality of the Lord expressed in a body of people. Jesus specifically gave those of us who know him the responsibility of reaching the world with his salvation and personally modeling his love to an often loveless world. As my children move beyond a simplistic understanding of their personal need for a Savior, our family then serves as the logical place where they can learn to value the lives of others by observing Clay and me as we serve others in real life.”

Depending on the stage of life of each of your children, their understanding of who Jesus is and the work He did on the cross will vary. But as you learn to follow Christ together, in what ways has your family modeled turning faith into action? For example, in our family, the focal points for training our children and serving as a family have been hospitality, helping those in need, and evangelistic outreach. In what ways have you used your own personal family values, preferences, talents, and gifts to further God’s kingdom? What gifts and talents do your children possess that you can see being used for the glory of God and the good of others? How can you speak that into them?

Question #2

On page 225, I write: “In my own life, I know that what kept me going through thick and thin (besides God's grace) was this clear picture in my heart of what I wanted to attain. I nurtured this vision in my heart. I read books that undergirded it. I prayed through Scripture that encouraged me in my conviction. Whenever possible, I shared it with others, and I found that the act of passing along my vision helped solidify it in my heart. Most important, I constantly visited my vision for motherhood in times of discouragement and doubt. I prayed that the Lord would keep it fresh in my heart, and he honored that prayer. On so many occasions, it was what carried me through.”

After the past six weeks together, you and I have had a chance to re-evaluate our own vision for motherhood through the lens of Scripture. How has your vision for motherhood changed? How can you keep your renewed vision guarded against the demands of your day, discouragement, and doubt?

Question #3

On Page 229, I write: “Our children will be tempted to stumble. They will be prey to Satan's attacks and his efforts to draw them away from God. No matter how diligent our training, how inviting our home, how deep our wisdom, our children will be tempted and must learn to develop their own faith. Yet, as mothers, with God's strength and companionship, we can be champions for their souls and walk with them through their times of temptation and struggle. We can support them in prayer, encourage them through the Word, and love them as Christ loved Peter and the other disciples.”

When we understand Satan's plan to steal what belongs to God, we can recognize that one of our greatest tasks in regard to our children is to be a spiritual warrior for their souls. What does it look like to you to be a spiritual warrior for your children? How have you championed their souls or walked them through times of doubt, discouragement, temptation, or wrestling? How can you support your children, encourage them, and love them as you walk the path of faithfulness together?

Join the Discussion on the Forum