Reality Check for Moms — I Am Replaceable

Have you ever thought that if you were suddenly swept away by a tidal wave or eaten by a large, hungry alligator that your family would stop surviving?

“No, of course not!” you respond laughing. But really, take some time and pause and think. Do you think that moms are replaceable?

moms are replaceable

Do you really think your husband could manage your three kids all by himself?
Do you think that the church would be wringing their hands looking for another pianist?
Do you think the home-school co-op would go frantically searching for another coordinator?
Do you think no one else could minister to the ladies in your Sunday School Class?

I believe the Lord opened my eyes to a very serious and sobering fact several years ago.

I am replaceable.

There, I said it. It is a harsh truth that we as mothers should own up to.

Sure, we will meet people who will smile and say that all moms are wonderful gifts (and they are) and are absolutely, positively irreplaceable. But is that statement true?

When I get bed-ridden due to an unplanned illness like the stomach flu or a massive migraine, my family has to go on — and guess what? They go on. Someone else cooks or they order out. Someone else sweeps and mops the floor. Someone else folds the laundry and puts it away. Someone else gives the babies their baths and tucks them in.

I will be the first to tell you that moms are very important to a child’s upbringing. A mom can make the child’s life gloriously happy or fiendishly sorrowful. Moms can bring rays of sunshine when gloom sets in on every horizon. Moms are gifted with the special talent of turning tears into giggles and smiles. But, I want to encourage you moms to face the reality that our positions in life — wife, mother, friend, sister, pastor’s wife, missionary, teacher, pianist, blogger, writer — are all capable of being filled by someone else. It’s pleasing to the ears to hear, “No one could ever fill your shoes”. But, I beg to differ.

Just consider the world’s population. In approximately 7 billion people there is not one single person who could fulfill all your duties? Surely, a replacement CAN be found.

Where does the idea of no one can replace me come from anyway? I have a sneaking suspicion those thoughts are rooted in pride.

“Me? A stay-at-home mother — proud? Never! I gave up the pomp and circumstance of the working woman’s world to stand behind the scenes and clean and cook for my family. I sacrificed a lucrative career to scrub toilets and change diapers!” I am afraid many of us moms tend to think f this way deep down in the secret places of our hearts.

When we begin to think that no on is capable of doing our jobs, and doing them quite well, we begin to see the effects of hidden pride — and those are pretty serious. We don’t hear many sermons on a proud look or heart, but those things are objects of God’s detestation. We need to take care to keep pride out of our hearts, minds and mouths. I encourage you to take time and think. Do you consider yourself amazing and talented? Perhaps you’re the mom that people think “has it altogether”. Maybe you’re beautiful, talented, sweet, intelligent, funny, diligent and so on. But don’t think those characteristics are any of your doing. It is only by God’s infinite grace that you are all or some of those things. You see where pride so easily creeps in the doors of your heart? You’ve been called, “Super-mom”, “Expert cookie-baker”, “Awesome interior decorator” and more. All those comments swirl around your head and before you know it, you feel you have arrived. Yes, and you have now become — irreplaceable.

I honestly wish I was irreplaceable. It would feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But acknowledging the hard, cold facts of this undeniable truth helps me face each day with growing momentum. It makes me want to strive to be a better mother, a better friend, a better servant of the Lord, a better wife and a better Christian. I only have a short span of life that was given to me from God above. One day someone else will step up and write posts about motherhood while I enjoy the loveliness of heaven. But, while I am here, may I be reminded with the ever-present fact that I am replaceable.

One day another foreigner with white skin will be trying to convey to the brown-skinned, slanted-eyed Cambodians that there is a true and living God that desires to know them and wash away their sins. One day someone else will play the piano for all the Cambodians to sing praises to the Lord in one accord. One day someone else will be hugging my daughters as they endure trials that come in this life on earth. One day I will not be here to do all those things, but someone else will. And you know what? They just may be utterly amazing at it too!

You see? We are replaceable. Make your time on earth count. Keep your house tidy and inviting for guests, love and train your children to give their best to the Lord, love and help your hubby in his everyday life, take time out of your busy schedule to lead others to the truth about sin, salvation and the Savior. Take the time to call that friend that is hurting and let them know you care. Take joy in cooking delicious, wholesome meals for your family. Enjoy every task that is set before you. One day someone else will get their turn at completing those tasks and your turn will be over. No more babies to rock, no more tubs to scrub and no more meals to cook. Whole-heartily serve your family and friends today.

Don’t listen to the world’s philosophies of

“You’re worth it!”
“You need more me time.”
“It’s all about you.”

Ladies, moms, wives, servants of the Lord — we are replaceable. May we looks at each task of marriage, motherhood and the ministry as an opportunity to serve while we still can. Let’s view our duties as privileges that some day will become another persons’ privilege. May your home be blessed today!