Passion and Purpose

I was listening to a podcast today by a most beloved conference planner and speaker, who was exhorting a group of students going back to college to excellence in whatever they would pursue, based on Colossians 3:17 ("And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"). I really appreciated the exhortation to students to be the best architect, chemist, or designer of high-end boutique blue jeans, that they could possibly be. He spoke of freedom, and he is right. There is more that glorifies God than strictly ministerial work. I think this has been clear for a long time, but the speaker was encouraging the students to pursue whatever that dream was with passion, remembering that glorifying God was the purpose of it.

I wish that there was such exhortation and encouragement given to mothers. I admit I was a bit disappointed when, among the list of future occupations the speaker mentioned, motherhood was not mentioned, even though it was a gathering of both men and women. I wonder if any of those college women will be in for a shock and a disappointment when, in the future, motherhood is their portion, and doing it excellently is not seen as a very important role. I often think it is not seen as important. Presumably, almost half of the audience will find a large part of their future career to be the work of mothering, and yet it wasn't mentioned at all among other professions or worthwhile pursuits.

Later on I went back to The American Woman's Home, and, coincidentally, read chapter 16, which is about how a housekeeper can maintain good spirits and a cheerful temper. This passage deserved highlighting:

"In the first place, a woman who has charge of a large household should regard her duties as dignified, important, and difficult. The mind is so made as to be elevated and cheered by a snse of far-reaching influence and usefulness. A woman who feels that she is a cipher, and that it makes little difference how she performs her duties, has far less to sustain and invigorate her, than one who truly estimates the importance of her station."

Absolutely. I think in some places and ways motherhood is seen as important and difficult, but specifically for college women I think it is something swept under the rug, ignored. Perhaps it is assumed that women who go to college will not pursue full-time motherhood. I have read that actually it is only 40% of mothers who work out of the home full-time. That means that the majority of women who become mothers in this country have it as their primary occupation. Whether that is by choice or necessity, it is a reality. I certainly think a woman who pursues full-time motherhood should have a college education. I just don't think that that education should be organized in such a way as to make her think that full-time motherhood is an unimportant occupation.

BTW, the speaker made another point that I think applies here. He said that it was important not to let one's passion become one's purpose. That is, if you have a passion for architecture, remember that you are doing the building in the name of Christ. If the building isn't that great, then, you aren't sunk. Similarly, a mom should remember that it is about Jesus, and not just about being a mother. When motherhood is difficult, or her plans fail, she can remember that she is living for something greater than herself or even her family.