Where motherhood is concerned, many of our concerns seem to be about how our children appear or appear to be. As Christian mothers we sometimes forget about the truths that we cannot see and follow where the world leads. We freely talk about diaper bags, outfits, car seats, activities, achievements and awards. But, what about who our children are and who they belong to? What about all of the things that we can't see? The book, Female Piety, was written about 150 years ago by the Puritan minister, John Angell James. This book is wonderful, but it doesn't sound much like anything that we have heard recently. It doesn't say much about appearances.

Every line on every page says something worth saying. What Mr. James teaches us about womanhood and motherhood is worth reading and worth living for. His insights and instructionshave enduring substance.

"And now, to sum up all, consider a mother's charge, an immortal creature; a
mother's duty, to train him up for God, heaven and eternity; a mother's dignity, to
educate the family of the almighty Creator of the universe; a mother's difficulty, to
raise a fallen, sinful creature to holiness and virtue; a mother's encouragement, the
promise of divine grace to assist her in her momentous duties; a mother's relief,
to bear the burden of her cares to God in prayer; and a mother's hope, to meet her
child in glory everlasting, and spend eternal ages of delight with him before the throne of God and the Lamb."

A mother is not the first one to know her child. It may seem so to some, but a Christian mother knows better. Apart from any effort of her own, her body makes this child her mission. Her physical being is structured for this event.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; My soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depth of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there were none."
- Psalm 139:13-16

Our children are born in the mind of God before they are born into this world. They are His idea. While our bodies are involved in the process, God alone is the creator of life. Unknown and undisclosed to us God is bringing about His purposes in time and eternity in the birth of every child.

"For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him."
- Colossians 1:16

"Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created."
- Revelation 4:11


God uses women to bring His creations into the world. If this is not enough, He then entrusts us with their care. They are not ours. They were made by Him and for Him. We hold them in our
arms for Him. Every objective that we have for them should be His objective. Who they are and who they are to God is what is important. What goes on in their hearts is more important than
what goes on their bodies. Time and eternity are at stake, and somehow He accomplishes His big purposes through us .What could be more fulfilling, or humbling or wonderful? If woman wants
purpose, this is purpose. If she wants meaning in life, this is meaning. Yes, it is hard. Yes, It will require everything that we have everyday. Yes, we will experience failure. But, God is enabling
and ruling and over ruling. Thinking about diaper bags, outfits and achievements can be enjoyable and helpful, but thinking first about the things of the heart and eternity are necessary. If we settle for the world's objectives we may have to settle for the world's outcome. Women have a heart to nurture children whether or not they have their own children, and it is a privilege to care for all covenant children no matter how many of our own we have.