God's Highest Career Calling - Motherhood - Inspiration from Sarah Edwards

Below are not my own words, but it inspires me and spurs me on in this life long and exciting journey of motherhood.

Reproduced from http://www.thestayathomemissionary.com/2010/03/practical-vision-for-young-moms-big_20.html

Throughout history we can see examples of how one woman can greatly influence and even change history by embracing her high calling of motherhood. The old adage is SO true, "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."

We, as mothers, are to rise up and take dominion of this high calling, and when we do, remarkable things can happen.

One example of this is Sarah Edwards, wife of Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards is arguably one of the greatest theologians in American history. His sermons and writing continue to impact and influence Christianity to this day.

Sarah supported her husband and his very long works hours and devoted herself whole-heartedly to the raising of their 8 children...thereby fully embracing her Royal Calling.

And what was her legacy?

Throughout the generations can be traced:

11 college presidents
65 professors
100 lawyers
30 judges
66 doctors
80 holders of public office
3 mayors of large cities
3 state governors
1 controller of the US treasury
3 US senators
1 Vice-President of the US
many authors and editors

How's that for a legacy? Now, hear me out on this one. I'm not saying that big important professions is the goal. A long line of dominion-oriented, passionate-for-Jesus trash collectors would have been equally impressive. This list is simply showing just how far-reaching our mothering can be!!

Another great example of a visionary mother is Betsy Moody, and Kelly at Generation Cedar wrote some posts about her recently. Betsy Moody was the mother of DL Moody, who is special to my heart since I went to college at Moody Bible Institute!

We are raising mighty arrows for the Kingdom....arrows that will go from our house and shoot out to the world and for generations to come!

Psalm 127:5, "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

We want to raise our children so that they will go out into the world and be salt and light. We need to raise them to not be ashamed, "when they speak with the enemies at the gate." (Ps. 127:5)

We can raise our children intentionally to live their life on purpose and for a purpose, before a watching world. We have the opportunity to show the world what a godly, functioning family can look like and what children raised with purpose and vision can truly accomplish for God.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian)

http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/sim_vibert/CH.Viebert_Churchman_Edwards_9.15.03.html
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/honoring-the-biblical-call-of-motherhood