"And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart." Luke 2:51
Mary and Joseph didn't know the full reality of what it meant to be the parents to God's son, but they treasured Him, loved Him and understood as best they could that He had a special purpose. When Jesus went "missing" and was later found in Jerusalem at the Temple, answering the religious teachers questions, Mary, being the holy, loving handmaiden of God, treasured all of these things about Jesus in her heart. She couldn't see the end yet, she didn't even fully understand Jesus, yet she trusted God enough to treasure Jesus and the purpose God had for Him.
There can be times in our culture that an 'idolizing' of motherhood takes place. It distracts from motherhood's real purpose. Pinterest perfect birthday parties, activities and making our children into mini celebrities, taking pictures of their every move to post on social media! Motherhood has become this sort of "show" for others. The pressure of activities, birthday parties and this entertainment driven life for our children can get heavy and expensive. Amidst all of this is there time to treasure these things in our hearts? The enemy seeks to devour and distract us, and He will use anything glittery, shiny and appealing to deter us from God's real purpose.
What is God's purpose for mothers? To be Jesus' hands and feet to our children, to reflect Jesus to those we love, a ministry of sacrifice and laying down our lives---an offering to God. This is missed amongst all the glitter and temporary glory of raising children with all the 'trappings' of the world. Raising our children to love God, serve Him, have a love for learning and growing, these seeds we sow are what matter! A cupcake baked with love, a simple celebration surrounded by those who love them, does an expensive birthday party filled with excessive materialism beat that? Playing outside, learning, creating and exploring---all while learning to connect with their Creator---no booked activities calendar trumps that. So many have bought into the lie of what childhood is and what motherhood is and we need to go back to the God path.
Time to nurture, teach, train, allowing adequate time to grow and explore doesn't happen on a rushed schedule. Living life saying 'hurry' constantly does not allow time for us to instill the treasures of virtue and Jesus into a young heart. Children also treasure their mother's in their hearts, and the time we take to show they are important is a reflection of God.
Return to the old paths of mothering--- nurturing, simple fun, growing, teaching, loving, serving with a God fearing heart and we turn again to God's way. Years from now the expensive birthday parties and entertainment filled life won't be the focus of our children's memories. The simple memories and love that was shown to them will be the legacy, and they will pass it on to their children. Like Mary, we must focus on God's way and that He holds the future, and point our children towards Him. We must trust God and remember what is important to Him in our parenting. Mary's way---the way of treasuring, the way of God, her example is one for all mother's. From Jesus birth, to His teaching at the Temple, to His death on the cross, Mary was treasuring the things of God and trusting Him.
"All those who heard the shepherds story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often." Luke 2:18-19
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him." Luke 1:46-50
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