Reflections on Mothers
Suzanne Werlein is a gifted writer and shares the following article with all of us who have mothers and many who are mothers. Through the ups and downs of parenting, God has given Suzanne a passion to help the next generation of mothers embrace their unique roles as wives and mothers. Suzanne is the founder of Faithbridge Moms, a ministry that strives to provide biblical encouragement, mentoring and Christian community for young moms as they begin their own parenting journeys.
Happy Mother’s Day
Growing up, I spent countless hours dreaming about the day I’d become a wife and mom. In my Disney-inspired, glass-half-full imagination, I pictured endless moments of laughter, joy, and spontaneous dancing in the kitchen—complete with birds singing, squirrels twirling, and teapots waltzing along.
Now, after 20 years of motherhood, I can say we've certainly had our share of laughter and joy—and even some kitchen dancing (minus the animated dishes and cutlery-they never did join in). But for me, especially in the early years, motherhood looked quite different than I expected.
The shift from a public life of ministry alongside my pastor-husband to the quiet, often unseen life inside our home was harder than I could have imagined. I was overwhelmed by our newborn’s constant needs, physically drained, emotionally stretched, and painfully lonely. I felt like I had stepped into a role I wasn’t equipped for—and one no one else seemed to see.
One night, while feeding our baby boy in the stillness of the house, I whispered through tears, “God, I love this child so much. But I’m so tired. I had no idea how hard and constant this would be. I never imagined how much I’d have to give up. I can’t even serve You in ministry anymore.”
And then, as clearly and gently as if He had spoken aloud, I sensed the whisper of the Lord:
“Whatever you’ve done for the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you’ve done it unto Me.”
I reached for the Bible beside me and opened to Matthew 25, where Jesus says:
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat.
I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink.
I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.
I was naked, and you clothed Me.
I was sick, and you cared for Me...
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’”
(Matthew 25:34–36, 40)
Reading those words—words I had seen many times before—hit me in a completely new way. I was doing ministry. Not on a stage, but in a nursery. Not behind a pulpit, but in the quiet moments of self-giving love. That night, as I laid our son gently in his crib, tears streamed down my cheeks. I knew God had heard my cry. I knew He hadn’t forgotten me. And I knew He saw me, just as I was seeing and loving our child.
That moment reframed everything. I was serving the King of Kings by loving and nurturing the child He had entrusted to me. It was holy work. Sacred work. And somehow, mysteriously, it was worship.
So to all the moms reading this—whether you're nursing a newborn in the dark, waiting in the school pick-up line, chopping vegetables, folding laundry, cheering on a soccer field, or racing through the aisles of Hobby Lobby for a last-minute science project—God sees you.
Jesus says,
“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
(Matthew 6:4, 6)
He knows the sacrifices you’ve made. He knows the love you pour out. And one day, you’ll hear Him say,
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
So keep going, Mama. Keep serving. Keep giving, playing, laughing, weeping, and hoping. You are not alone.
He is with you. He is for you.
And He is smiling as you mother in His name.
Happy Mother’s Day.