For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
December 2, 2024 | 7 min read
Amanda Van Holland, guest author
As a mother, I find myself surrounded by a whirlwind of activity, noises, responsibilities, and thoughts of questioning whether I am even doing this thing right. There are days when the demands and thoughts of motherhood feel overwhelming, and the to-do and should-do list continues to grow.
From early morning get-out-the-door chaos to late-night feedings or the quiet moments when I steal a second for myself, the realities of Christian motherhood feel both sacred and slammed.
Yet it is not lost on me how deeply God is in it with me. In the mundane, he turns things miraculous, and with the right perspective, the little things become whimsical. My worries and thoughts can spiral but there is grace and hope that I can hold onto.
The saying, “It’s not lost on me” is something I have found myself coming back to lately as I navigate this season of motherhood. It’s a phrase that expresses a deep awareness and appreciation, and for me, it’s become a way of slowing down in the moment to notice the glimmers of God’s grace, love, and provision that can be easily rushed by or missed if we aren’t careful.
Motherhood is a sacred responsibility, and it’s not lost on me how many sweet things there are even in the most ordinary moments.
The weeds picked into a beautiful bouquet, the dirt turned into mud pies, bedtime prayers, and car seat observations. Each of these sweet little moments are gifts from God. Even if they seem insignificant at the time.
It’s easy to overlook if we focus too much on being busy, or feeling stressed. Busy as we may be, we should watch out for wearing these things as a badge of honor. I have struggled with seasons of this, not keeping perspective and subconsciously wanting accolades.
Maybe you’ve also heard people say to you, “You have a lot on your plate, how do you do it all?” And it’s all to easy to think to yourself,, “How do I do it, man am I something.”
When in reality, I may have a lot on my plate, but through pausing and reflecting andnot letting it get lost on me, I realize how much of God’s love and presence is in the rhythms of raising kiddos. It’s humbling and promising. It is becoming less lost on me as I look at the ordinary as a sacred rhythm.
In motherhood the shaping of character can happen if we let it (there’s no shortage of growth opportunities when you’re a mama). Patience, humility and selflessness are tested and tried in the trenches of motherhood.
For when we lay down our lives for our children we have the opportunity to reflect the gospel message of Christ laying down His life for us (Ephesians 5:25). In the hard moments I still get grouchy and complain, but also, I have the chance to be humbled at the way the Lord is showing me how motherhood is a reflection of His love and that is such a gift.
There are days when motherhood can make me feel like a crazy person. In these moments where I feel out of control, I am reminded of how much I need God’s grace, and man, when I do slow down and ask the Lord to show up in the hard stuff, it is absolutely not lost on me how much His strength is the fuel and how much I can’t do it on my own at all.
One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 12:9:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
This verse has shown up for me in different eras of my life, but in motherhood it sure rings true. His Grace is sufficient for us and we can rely on His wisdom and guidance in our interactions on the hard days.
The weight of responsibility that comes with shaping young hearts is a lot, but it’s in these times of struggle that my need for the Lord’s grace shows up more clearly and when I live in response to this, I can give grace more freely to my kids and husband.
His grace is realer, truer, and stronger than mine and is not lost on me as I love my family as best I can. I hope it isn’t lost on you either. There is freedom in accepting grace and then living it out.
I am also reminded of God’s love for my kids and that He loves them more than I do. This one is sometimes hard for me to believe.
That anyone even God could love my kids more than me, I mean, no way, right?! But it is true, they are His before they are mine and His plan for them is set. If I let that truly sink in, I can rest. My job is not to control the outcome, but be faithful in guiding them and pointing them to Jesus. Lord, don’t let this get lost on me.
Sometimes I start to rush the stages, saying to myself, “won’t it be nice when we are out of diapers,” or, “won’t it be nice when I don’t have to give them baths,” and, “won’t it be nice when I don’t have to wake up anymore in the middle of the night.” But it is not lost on me that every season is a gift and someday I will be wanting these years back.
Slowing down in these ordinary tasks and taking in the moment, reframing the complaint to a grateful statement helps these moments become a tad more manageable, heck, even something I look forward to. Embracing both the mess and the joy, trusting He is in it with me, using each moment of motherhood to refine me and grow me.
As much as I want to rush ahead, have all kids walking, talking, whatever the next thing is, I am trying to remember that right now is beautiful and right now is right where I need to be, and that again, is not lost on me for God is good in the now.
So as I reflect with you on this motherhood journey of sacrifice, growth and grace may we all see it as a gift. As we navigate each day and its rhythms may it not be lost on us that God is with us in each breath, in every step. He is present in the struggles, victories, and just plain ordinary. All of it can be a way of drawing closer to Him if we let it.
So may we find comfort in that He sees us, and He equips us. May we walk in His grace faithfully raising our children. And in it all, God’s presence is never lost on us.
For a little creative “it’s not lost on me” exercise, I wrote a poem thinking about special moments that I don’t want to miss.
I challenge you to write your own in this season of motherhood. Here is mine:
It’s not lost on me
that these little hands will soon not be
chronically sticky or needing to
be held crossing a street.
It’s not lost on me that diapers & wipes will
soon leave the grocery list
never to return.
It’s not lost on me that little voices will
mature in tone & conversations
will shift from whimsy to logic.
The snuggles, tickles, kisses
will lessen and yet
the love will deepen & grow.
It’s not lost on me…
Oh it’s not lost on me
that midnight feeds
will end & sleep
shall return.
The toys, books, scooters & strollers
will be put away for a last time.
It’s not lost on me that there
is magic in motherhood.
Beautiful heart aching
Tiring magic.
It’s not lost on me that the Lord’s grace
is seen in the trenches of motherhood.
With Him, motherhood can be truly sanctifying.
And that is not lost on me…
Amanda is a girl mama of three, living an East Texas life, y’all. She and her husband both work at LeTourneau University and are passionate about disciplining and cultivating college students. You’ll often find Amanda with a cup of coffee in hand, ready to take on the next adventure, whether taking a walk, having lunch with another mama friend, or traveling out of state to visit family. Amanda loves connecting with people both near and far, having done several cross-country moves, she knows the importance of growing these special relationships.