motherhood — Clay Jars Blog

A Room of One's Own

Just as we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us, and just as his power is perfected in weakness, God is greatly glorified when the exhausted and frenetic mother stops, surrenders, and uses the gifts he’s given her to bless herself, her family, and her community—seeking first the kingdom by prioritizing kingdom work (2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 12:9). Perhaps it is in this bringing forth of art in the midst of the mundane and the imperfect, that she most honors her God, that she is most dependent upon him for supernatural inspiration, multiplication, and ability—when she does not insist on having three divine hours to create but makes do with the ten minutes she does have, when she does not allow the few fish to deter her from trusting God to feed the starving crowd.

Laura ZieselNovember 27, 2019writing, art, motherhood, gifts, talents, kingdom Comments

In Defense of the Mess: Mothering in Christ

For all mothers and especially for those who came to faith later in life, God is growing us up in our faith as He reaches out to our children. In Him is freedom and open pastures and plentiful provision, and in Him is our unique, authentic expression of motherhood. He is there to help, to help us treat our children as Jesus would and become more like Jesus in the process. Little by little, as we stumble often and learn slowly, we become the mothers we truly are in Christ.

The Mother at the Well

Motherhood requires all that I have, and I quickly find that what I have really isn’t all that much. The distance between my sufficiency for these things and true sufficiency is laughable. I am not selfless enough, patient enough, consistent enough, holy enough, energetic enough, creative enough, wise enough, or loving enough to be a good mother. No, I am a desperate woman at the well with five husbands who are not my husband, begging Him for a drink, embarrassingly wiping Jesus’ feet with my tears and hair. I love much because I have been forgiven so much.

Laura ZieselJune 21, 2019motherhood Comments

"And you are not being careful, and you are missing it."

I don't want to miss it. I want to be careful. I want to savor these times instead of always wishing they were somehow different from what they are. I've found that the sort of conscripted, menial servanthood of motherhood can wear a woman down if she isn't careful, if she doesn't purposefully do it for the Lord, in the Lord's strength, and with the Lord's heart.

Laura ZieselMarch 14, 2016motherhood, children, gratitudeComment