As pregnant women, we get a true picture of what it means for our bodies to not be our own. We feel that little life (or lives) moving inside and we realize it is no longer about us.
We may feel sick from certain smells that never bothered us before pregnancy, we also may crave certain foods for no apparent reason. We are no longer in charge and often don’t even understand the changes taking place in our own bodies. This is just the beginning.
Romans 12:1 says “Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
As mothers of young children your body is a living sacrifice.
You are no longer your own. You get up in the morning, change diapers, breastfeed, have meals, tend to chores (when able) and meet others’ needs all day long according to their schedule, not your own.
A loving mother sacrifices her own wants and needs for her family. I can remember thinking when our four children were small that I would never feel rested again. I couldn’t imagine getting enough rest.
Yet, God convicted me with the truth of the above scripture one day at our home group. The home group leader, Phil, asked us to think about what in our lives were hindrances to worship. The immediate response that came to my mind was “my children”!
Then I felt shame.
These were gifts from God! Why did I see them as a hindrance? Because I did not see my service to them as significant in God’s eyes. I thought a “ministry” was more important. Yet, the Lord showed me those children were my ministry at that time. NOTHING was more important. Offering my body as a living sacrifice WAS an act of worship – one very pleasing to our Lord.
As we have contemplated this Easter weekend the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, let us embrace the sacrifices we make as mothers moment by moment, day by day.
Jesus is our example – He laid down His life. As His follower, I must do likewise and recognize it as an act of worship.
Our Father's Daughters 
dear gayle.
i did not want to be a mother when it was happening for the first time. I was 20yrs old and newly married.
i was scared and encouraged by well-meaners to find something outside of motherhood. Something challanging and purposed.
These well-meaners hindered me.
I am now almost 5yrs later and a stay-at-home mum of 3 under 5. There is honour and blessing in motherhood. Of binding the Word of God to our foreheads (figuritivly speaking), of breathing the Word of God when we rise in the morning and rest in the evening. I get to impress it upon my children.
there is no greater blessing, no greater honour then shepherding the little lives ordained unto me, entrusted to my care.
I have never thought of it as worship – and i thank you for your insight and your biblical words on the role of mothers.
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My body hasn’t been my own for almost five years straight- I’ve been pregnant or breastfeeding without a break for 4 1/2 years. It is an act of worship- thanks for the reminder!
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