It’s that time of year again. Graduation is just around the corner. Some students are preparing for college, others for the workforce – all in an effort to land the perfect job and live a comfortable life.
I once saw a video posted online and advertised in papers for a director of operations. The hiring company conducted interviews via webcam and presented applicants with the job description and requirements below.
You must:
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Work standing up most of the time, constantly on your feet, constantly bending over, constantly exerting yourself, a high level of stamina.
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Work 135 hours to unlimited hours a week, basically 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Not take breaks. (You can have lunch only when the associate is finished eating his lunch.)
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Have excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills.
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Hold degrees in medicine, finance, and the culinary arts (preferred, not necessary).
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Possess the ability to wear several hats at once.
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Give a lot of attention to the associate. (Sometimes you may have to stay up with the associate during the night.)
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Work in a chaotic environment.
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Give up any sort of life you may have.
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Not take vacations. In fact, at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and holidays, the workload is going to go up, and it must do so with a happy disposition.
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Not take time to sleep.
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Work pro bono, completely for free. The position pays absolutely nothing.
Then the interviewer adds, “[But] the meaningful connections that you make and the feeling that you get from really helping your associate are immeasurable.”
To which the applicants respond:
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“Nobody’s doing it for free.”
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“That’s almost cruel. That’s almost a very sick, twisted joke.”
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“[It’s] all-encompassing, almost.”
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“Three hundred and sixty-five days a year? No! That’s inhumane!”
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“That’s very insane.”
Their looks of disgust and desperation say it all. Who would want such a job? Then their expressions change from ones of exasperation to sincere appreciation when the interviewer tells them that here are billions of people worldwide who currently hold this position. … Moms!
Smiles and tears flood the applicants’ faces as they think about their own mothers.
Motherhood. It is beautifully messy and valuably hard. Some may call it the world’s toughest job. So is it worth it? Absolutely.
Why?
Because being a mother …
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Humbles you.
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Makes you grateful for the small things in life and forever grateful for each breath of life.
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Makes you appreciate your own mother, or loving woman who has invested in you, even more.
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Causes you to be incredibly thankful for those who come alongside you.
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Allows you love in a way you never knew you could.
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Allows you to be loved in a way you never imagined.
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Causes you to grieve more deeply than you ever thought possible.
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Makes you more vulnerable to the world and more reliant on Christ.
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Pushes you to know Christ more.
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Prompts you to examine your own heart and deal with the selfishness within.
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Offers you multiple opportunities to forgive.
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Challenges you to extend grace time and again.
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Shows you your continued need for repentance.
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Lets you put others before yourself for both your good and theirs.
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Makes living life about Someone other than yourself.
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Affords you a small glimpse into the heart of God, the Father.
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Allows you to make much of Christ … both in the good and bad times.
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Transforms you into the image of Christ, for the glory of God and the furtherance of His kingdom.
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Makes you eternally grateful for the gift of Christ.
More than a job, motherhood is a calling that brings with it great responsibility and great reward.
Motherhood is a reminder that we need to love our children, “not for our own sake, but for what God is going through them,” writes Rachel Jankovic.
According to Jankovic, “motherhood is victory,” victory over self to mother the children God has entrusted to us with a Kingdom purpose and promise. “The victory is ours because the Savior is ours.”
Therefore, motherhood is about something far greater than us. And that makes it worth it.
(Editor's Note: This blog was previously run on The Stand. We offer it again to remind us of the importance of family, especially mothers. Mother's Day is Sunday 5/9/2021.)
