Biltmore Estate
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Twenty-four hours of flying and waiting and standing and carrying bags left me a bit weary and exhausted, but the feeling was a familiar one for me, and I knew that in a few days I would be over jet lag. But on my journey, I sat next to a young mother from Paris who had a 9 month old baby to wrestle with through out the wakings, feedings, playings and keeping her precious little boy sequestered in one seat on the plane.
As I was watching her in constant motion–changing, cajoling, nursing, bouncing, and doing it all over again, I was reminded again how much being a mother of my children has shaped, stretched and enlarged my soul.I could fairly see the soul and character of this young woman being stretched.
Often times we consider our tasks as being performed for the benefit of the children or babies.
But from God’s point of view, he gave us children that we might learn how to become unselfish, to love generously, to work more heartily, to understand forgiveness, perseverance, endurance, graciousness, creativity, the skills of life-giving–because through this great work of motherhood, we are slowly being conformed into the image of Christ–and from this commitment of motherhood, we come to better understand His fatherhood, His sacrifice, His unmerited favor for us. His plan has a purpose that will create beauty of soul and heart and mind.
The very act of submitting to His plan for motherhood, became the long term instrument through which He shaped and crafted my soul.
But to become this vessel where He is willing to dwell and to become the soul that reflects Him and his gentle love and powerful reality, we must submit to the building and crafting that He has designed by making us mothers after his own heart and submissive to His design. I did not know that this journey was about soul-making, but now I see that in the shaping of my soul, He also designed the end result to be deep fulfillment and happy pleasure. For being with my adult children is my greatest joy and brings me the deepest happiness in my days of living on this earth.
I have had such great pleasure being back where I belong, in the company of my family–and it feels so very good to be in the place that I belong.
Sally, I love your writing. Your heart truly “reflects Him and his gentle love and powerful reality.” Blessings, Alisha
Thanks for your sweet words–a balm today!
How have I not read Mere Christianity yet?!!
That’s one of those classics I haven’t read, but after that amazing quote it’s going on the ol’ book list.
Hope you had a nice trip. As always, the Lord used your post today to minister to my heart and encourage me.
You are such a faithful encourager. Thanks for being a source of encouragement to me.
Thanks for this. Being practically a new convert (after a lifetime in the church) I can see how God used my children even to change me to that end. It’s just amazing to see the means God uses to work in us.
I always tell people that I think God gave me children and has me homeschooling them because He is trying to teach ME something (more than I’m trying to teach my kids something). Your words today confirm that I’m not delusional in thinking this, LOL! I am so grateful that He has me right where I am, though it is hard and feel like a failure at times, I can usually end up looking back on an even and see how God used is to teach me something – whether I “handled it right” or not – I ALWAYS learn something and in the end I think He draws me closer to Him through these events. Praise the Lord!
)
Great quote from CS Lewis – & loved your thoughtful comments on motherhood & how it shapes us
Loved the cs Lewis quote. I started sweating reading about the mom w the lil baby in the plane. I am sure you offered her a kind word amd gemtle knowing smile.
As I read this story I could see you Sally, comforting the woman, encouraging her, and offering your sweet self to her and her son.
However, this story made me see something I’ve never seen before!!! As amazing and creative and full of vision as our God is…..The Creator of the Universe…. The One who breathed life into dust and crafted human beings into existence…..
Why would I expect anything less from Him? Of course He is crafting my life into a gorgeous palace! Of course He is adding every space of beauty and delicate detail! Why would I doubt that my life is of such value to Him? WOW!!
I am a dreamer! I have big vision! BUT….I never considered how BIG His vision is for my palace!
Thank you Sally!!!