So this morning on the Today Show, they had an interview with a woman who had left her family in pursuit of her career. Apparently she is writing her memoirs of her experience. My heart was broken into a thousand little pieces. She went on a work trip to Japan for six months while her kids were still young. She enjoyed being known as something more than just a mom, and learned more about herself. That's all well and good. But when she got back she decided she needed to leave her husband and two kids in order to pursue her career. It was a conscious choice for her and it had to be all one or the other! That in itself bothered me, mostly because I am busting my bum to do both, and while I know I can't do both perfectly, I'm trying. And YES IT IS TAKING ALL OF ME. But that is the point. The one line of the interveiw that bothered me the most was wehen the mom was sharing about her point of decision/realization, she said that she woke up one morning and realized she had become the thing she did not want to become the most:"Someone who had given up her life for someone else"!!!!!!!!!
Now, I know that our culture can not understand the full Christian implications of giving up your life for someone else. I know that they don't see Jesus on the cross as the example. However, I had thought that there was at least some shred of value left of sacrificial giving! Soldiers, the man who threw himself down on his wife in Tuson, serving in poorer areas etc. She even has the nerve to write her memoirs about it and have it published. Her sons are now teenagers and very aware of what their mother has chosen. She says it makes her a better mom, because now the time she gets to spend with them is focused quality time. Not filled with all the other things of life. WHAT IS THE POINT OF PARENTING??? To bring children up to function well in REAL LIFE!!!
Once I heard her comment, I took Temperance's face gently in my hands and told her that I had given up my life for her and that I do it gladly!! Next week I will go to Beach Reach and be away from home and motherhood for a week. My heart already hurts to return to my sacrificial life with her and I haven't even left yet.
I'm sorry for my rant, but I'm just a bit shocked. I guess it's a bit of culture shock for me. I struggle just like every other woman over the sacrificial nature of motherhood. Some days I don't want to do it. But for someone to get up on TV and be applauded for throwing off this life in favor of selfishness is shocking to me. There would be no human race if all women chose to do this! It is our call to give sacrificially. It is a way God draws us to the cross. I guess I should not be surprised that our culture rebels against the cross. It just breaks my heart.
Go Girl! God gave you a cause(your passion for the college age) and a family(Bert and Temperance for now)to share His Love with them. It is His Love, when realized and accepted, that changes and makes lives worthy of living their God given cause.....a perpetual cycle....all for God's Glory. He made us for Himself for Scripture reads, He is a jealous God. It is not about us, It is all about Him.
ReplyDeleteLove you. Jiles
Being a mother is a sacrifice, but also a gift. It isn't one I take lightly. Even now that you all are grown it is of highest priority. And i believe that is as God intended it to be. You do it well, and your "rant" was well said.
ReplyDeleteSarah Mae, I not surprised that you are appalled by this woman's story of her life. It is obvious that this woman does not try to serve God. I doubt she will ever think of God, unless she is confronted with a serious tragedy. However, the same God that loves you, also loves her. The world is full of mass murders, robbers, and rapist that all have a story to tell about why they lived as they have. God loves them too; Jesus died for their sin. The real tragedy is that media would much rather report on the life and story of the sinner than the Savior.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I am so glad you are writing again. It is one of your super-powers! I do feel like you have so much to say and share and feel and sometimes you can do it best on 'paper'. Like this piece...I did not see the show, but I see it now through your eyes and it makes me hurt, too. We all make sacrifices for love; we die to ourselves to love our spouse, our children, our friends and family, and above all...our Lord. When I say we all do, I guess I never really thought about people this selfish and empty. Like Jim said, I know God loves her, but I pray that she will repent and learn to love Him! Bert and Tempie are blessed to be loved by you!
ReplyDelete