The 3 Daily Sacrifices of A Homemaker

This past week the word “sacrifice” has come to the forefront of my mind and my experience.

The first time I was confronted with it was during an evening that my husband and two of our children were away, and I was at home with our three youngest. I was greatly looking forward to an evening ‘alone.’ I had made a mental list of how I was going to spend my time partly catching up on some stuff I had to do, and partly on just doing something relaxing. It was going to be great!

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I was running on schedule with serving the dinner a little earlier and putting the children to bed at a great time. It was lights out, and I was whistling a happy tune…. Until…

Sacrifices That Are Placed Upon You

Our four your old daughter started calling me from bed because she felt scared. I settled her down, prayed for her (again) and departed relieved. Then our seven year old son ventured out of bed, claiming to be thirsty. Water was provided, and I sat down naively believing that that was the last I would hear from my precious ones…

It wasn’t.

Little Miss Four woke Baby One Year Old “accidentally.” Once the baby was happy again, there was no way this bright eyed, bushy tailed miniature human was going to go back to sleep. You would have thought that 9pm was 9am the way she was carrying on gleefully… Between the three of them, suffice it to say that I was up and down, in and out, and round about till midnight! Midnight, people!!!

I felt deflated, discouraged, and discontent. I had wanted ‘Me’ time, and all I got was more ‘Mom’ time!

But wait a minute….

In situations like these, what if you and I considered it all joy to serve, train, and sacrifice for these little treasures that God has granted us. What if these sacrifices have been placed upon us unexpectedly to gently remind us to lay down our lives for the sake of our calling? For the sake of others… even miniature others?

At the end of my evening I exhaled exhausted. It was okay. The time had not been ‘wasted’ as I was tempted to think it had. It had been a privilege to sacrifice my own priorities, for my God-given priorities.

There will come a day, when all your sacrifices will be richly rewarded. Click To Tweet

We do it for Him. For Him.

Sacrifices That You Make By Choice

And then there are sacrifices that you make by choice. Those can be even harder. They go against the grain of our fleshly desires which demand to take centre stage in our lives.

Take yesterday for example. I had been out all morning. My husband called and told me about a travelling family whom he discovered were in town, and wondered if we could have them over for dinner. I was at home with our seven year old and baby. This would entail me having to sacrifice what I considered a well deserved restful afternoon doing some household basics, but also some feet-up basics in exchange for hard labour; putting up a five star meal for a dozen people, cleaning and tidying my house, caring for our children, and all within a three hour window.

I did what any good wife would do. I flatly said, “No.”

And that’s when God’s conviction virtually flew down in dove form and settled upon my heart swiftly. I needed to lay down my own preferences. My own visions of how ‘easily’ the rest of this day could flow. My responsibility was first and foremostly to my husband, to pleasing him and here it comes again, “laying down my life” for him…

So I did what any good wife would do. I called him back, and said “Okay, let’s do it!”

Somehow, by the grace of God, and solely with His help, I pulled it off despite all odds against me.

And do you know what? Rather than being bitter at this job I had to take, my heart was honestly filled with joy at the sacrifice God allowed me to choose to make!

Sacrifices That You Make For Yourself

Now, before you start thinking that I’m advocating never having downtime or doing anything for ourselves as mothers, think again.

Today… (I told you it’s been a crazy week!)… I had the invitation and opportunity to go out with my hubby and three of our children to a local funfair. I was getting myself dolled up, and realized that even though I would have a lovely time with my family…

Today I need to make a sacrifice for myself (and my own sanity) Click To Tweet

I declined the kind invitation, and sacrificed the time with my family for having several hours of alone time with God, myself, and my blog readers (that’s me writing this to you :-)).


You see, I’m realizing that often life is about making sacrifices. Sometimes those sacrifices are enforced upon you, and that’s O.K. That’s the Lord’s sovereign Hand at work. And sometimes those sacrifices come by our own choices. That’s okay too.

Our example is our Lord Jesus Himself, who laid down His own life, not by default, but by choice, so that we could have our sins forgiven and enjoy eternal life in the everlasting presence of the King of all Kings. If He made so great a sacrifice for you and for me, what’s a few sacrifices for others around us while on this earth?

Nothing less than a privilege. That’s what.


What keeps you from making sacrifices for others and what would help you to make sacrifices more joyfully from now on?

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62 Comments

  1. Those days of little ones asking for one more prayer, one more drink of water and baby cries are behind me now:( My youngest will be 10 on Saturday. I find myself pining for those days again once in a while…kids grow up way too fast. The attitudes of our hearts is what matters, hey? It is so good when we listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and make the necessary corrections! Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth!

    1. Happy birthday to your youngest, Aimee! I so much appreciate your beautiful words, and your experienced perspective… Our eldest is 14 and youngest is 1, and I am really trying to enjoy these days… Not always easy, but I know, that like you, I will miss them at times when they’re over… God bless you, sweet sister! xoxo

  2. Ah-it seems that the more I covet “me time”, the more it eludes me. The sacrifices we make for others are so much more rewarding, however, when our hearts are aligned with God’s will. It is in His will and presence, that I can then make the sacrifices needed to recharge and be who God called me to be for my family. Thank you for sharing this.

  3. So many inspiring thoughts in a great post. I am so glad that we are blessed with opportunities to sacrifice like Christ did. Thanks for this important reminder on the #LMMLinkup this week.

  4. Oh my…..It’s so nice to meet you!!! (I read your about page and the 101 facts about you). What an honor 🙂 This is a great post and one that rings true with most every momma! We’ve all been there.

  5. Needed this today. This weekend I had some time blocked out for myself while Hubby was away, and ended up cleaning up after a vomiting toddler. But, I did get some sweet snuggles and precious time with him.

  6. I love this, especially looking at sacrifices as joyful things because we are able to serve others. You’re so right: It’s important to sacrifice our own priorities for God’s priorities in our lives. And He will always give us what we need in those sacrificial times because we are being obedient to His will. You’ve definitely inspired me with this post! Thank you!

  7. Wow! What a beautiful post! I must confess that although I am a Catholic, I am not very devout or religious. However, I completely understand the concept of loving, self-sacrifice. Any mother can. We not only sacrifice our time, but also our careers, our bodies, and anything else that is required of us. But we do it gladly, and with love, every single day. I once heard a priest say that children come to know God through their mother, and I think that is true. As mothers, we give our love freely, unconditionally, with self-sacrifice, with happiness. That is the most precious gift we give our families and we are so blessed for being able to give so much love!

  8. Such a helpful and motivating post. I make sacrifices but as I read this post, sometimes it’s not with a joyful heart — it’s begrudging. Feeling convicted… I need to pray about this. Thank you for the enlightenment and encouragement.

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

  9. Sounds like my Valentine’s Day since our babysitter got sick at the last minute. So the whole family went out to dinner and the date night flew out the window! Learning to sacrificially give just about sums up motherhood!

  10. I’ve been thinking about sacrifices a lot lately. Every choice we make implies there are other things we give up but sacrifices are different. That is giving up what’s good for us to get what’s good for others!

  11. Thanks for putting your thoughts into words to speak to and encourage every mother who labors for the family and His glory. It is good to see through any inconvenience to the greater picture of what is being achieved by your sacrifice. I love your sharing here on the Blogger’s Pit Stop
    Kathleen

  12. Beautiful post. Thanks for joining us at the #LMMLinkup. I am so thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice and how our gratitude for that causes us to want to sacrifice for others.

    1. Yes! It sounds selfish, but we need to have that time so that we can be refreshed and give out to others. Thank you so much for your comment Jess! xoox

  13. Thanks for the gentle reminder that our little (and sometimes not so little) sacrifices are pleasing to God. They are often necessary for the growth of his kingdom. We must be cheerful givers. But at the same time, we do need to find some time to be alone with God. Jesus always gave of himself to others in extreme ways. But he started each day with quiet time with our Heavenly Father.

    1. What beautiful words and thoughts, Isabelle! I adore your example of how our precious Lord set a precedence for us to follow. Thank you so much for that reminder! Love and blessings xoxo

    1. So true, Jay. I think that the sacrifices we make really grow us as people. They develop character in us, so others are benefitting, but we are being blessed by them too! Lovely to have had you stop by! xoxo

  14. I loved the thoughts you shared in this post. It went right along with what the Lord has been doing in my heart. Thanks for the encouragement.

    1. Praise the Lord, Kali. How wonderful to hear. When God wants to get our attention, He sure knows how to do it 🙂 You’re a sweetheart. Blessings and love xoxo

  15. This was beautifully written. The struggle to be joyful and choose to sacrafice is a real and daily thing. I know I battle with it constantly, especially when it’s the end of the day, I’m totally beat, and my little miniature humans are still needing my attention. The odd thing is, after they’ve gone down and it’s quiet for a brief moment, I start to feel the love again, and even miss them! I loved reading this. Thank you!

    1. I hear ya, Heather! I often feel the same way, although I do enjoy the quiet after I’ve been sacrificing all day, and the time with my hubby too… I really appreciate your beautiful comment. Your humility and beauty shine through. God bless you, lovely sister! xoxo

  16. Thank you for sharing at our link up. I really, truly, needed this today.
    I have found myself with lists of things I would like to accomplish lately and instead of taking my priorities I stop and pray and ask hi my o show me his priorities. I also pray that any posts of blog posts I create will touch someone.

    Yours definitely touched me.

    Thanks you for being so open Tehila

    1. I really loved your comment, Trina. Your beautiful heart is an inspiration, even as a blogger. May the Lord continue to encourage you as you walk so faithfully in His precious ways. xoox

  17. I find that sacrifices tend to enter into a head-to-head battle with selfishness. The Lord convicts me in this area all the time. That’s why I try to make the absolute most out of “me time.” It helps me overcome selfishness and be nice! A good post.

  18. Being a mother and homemaker isn’t the easiest job and there are tons of sacrifices every.single.day. Yet, there are also grand moments of bliss as well. Sometimes it’s in our perspective that we actually realize a sacrifice isn’t really a sacrifice at all, it’s a lovely life we’re blessed to have! 🙂

    1. I’m with you 100%, Kendall! The majority of the time I don’t feel at all as though what I’m doing is a sacrifice. It’s a great joy and privilege, part of my calling. The Lord grants us this joy when we walk in the calling He has for us – and what a delightful calling it is! Thank you so much for your beautiful comment xoxo

  19. So much truth here! I get a little excited when hubby goes to poker night and I can put the kids to bed and have some quiet time. But then they ask to have a friend over (clearly the opposite of quiet time) or they need a little extra love that night. It can be frustrating, but you’re right that it’s what we are called to do!

    1. I can relate to you, Jamie, getting a teensy bit excited at an evening to myself when my hubby goes out… 🙂 But, as I’ve learned recently, we need to always be willing to sacrifice it should the Lord have different plans for that time… I love that you are so God focused! Blessings to you xoxo

  20. Lovely post. I especially enjoy your honesty and allowing us a glips into a real mom’s real life. Comforting and encouraging. sabbaba:-)

  21. Beautifully written. I am a single young woman, but the Lord reminds me daily (sometimes it feels like hourly) that my life is not my own. Yes, I am single and generally everyone equates singleness with freedom, but in truth, it’s the same. Married, single, the relationship status doesn’t matter. We’re all servants of the Lord. I am His servant and He wants me to dedicate each day and hour to what HE wants me to do.

    I’ll be the first to admit that pride and selfishness are my biggest enemies. Satan knows my weak spots and engages a battle with me each day. Sacrifice is necessary in this life. Dying to self daily comes with the cost of laying down the fleshly desires, but the Lord is gracious enough to remind me that the sacrifice is for a noble cause. His cause. And that’s enough.
    (Sorry for leaving a mammoth of a comment)
    ~Haley

    1. Sweet Haley! I adore your perspective, and with a godly attitude towards the Lord and others as you clearly have, you will prove no doubt to be an asset and blessing wherever you go, and to whosever life you touch! May God continue to encourage and grow you as He walks beside you daily. You are such an inspiration! Love to you today and always xoxo

  22. This was such an incredibly rich and edifying post!!

    I loved all your insights on the different forms of sacrifice, bringing conviction to this selfish heart.

    I also never thought about making a sacrifice “for myself” by choosing God over time out, because ultimately, time with God is the best kind of refreshing.

    Thanks so much for sharing. I leave here feeling encouraged.

    1. I am soooo glad, Karen! Glory to the God of all the Earth for encouraging you through these words! I can relate to you that some sacrifices are a real battle to make because of the selfish inclination of our hearts. It’s because we do it for HIM that there is joy and grace in it all. Much love to you xoxo

  23. Glad to meet up with you at thought-provoking Thursday, Tehila. You express so beautifully the challenge that motherhood represents. May we embrace it joyfully!

  24. Praise God for your blog. I can truly relate as a mom of two boys. It is only by God’s grace that I am blessed being a homemaker. 🙂

    1. Anne! Beautiful Anne! Thank you for your precious words. You are always welcome here, my sister… God bless you as you continue to raise those gorgeous boys of yours. I have no doubt at all that you’re doing amazingly, by God’s grace! xoxo

  25. This post hits me at all the right (or wrong, depending on your point of view) places. Even though I sacrifice a lot for the Lord and for my children, but if I’m not doing it with the joy that He provides, what benefit is it? I still find myself reacting to things in a selfish way instead of being grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord while teaching my children about putting Him first. Alone time is a good and necessary thing, but only if I have a good attitude about the areas that I’ve had to give up. Thank you for such a great reminder!

    1. So beautifully noted, Julie! Thank you for sharing your heart. I could well relate to it. I pray God grants you the joy and willingness to sacrifice for Him as He leads you daily to do so. We’re all in this boat together, learning from Him and one another. You’ve been a great inspiration to me today 🙂 Love to you… xoox

  26. Sacrifices usually seem threatening by reason that they ‘might’ be more than I could give. But that is without cause because I can sacrifice time, money if God calls me to do that, or love or a hug. There is so much I can give to another. It seems harder to give to myself, yet it is so important so that I can do all that God calls me to do and to be. Thank you for the truths here as they are reminders of God’s love for me and His call upon my life through my Lord and Savior. He did it all. I can give where He wants me to give. I do … some of the time!

    1. So well put, Linda! I don’t think any of us have this laying down our lives, sacrifice 24/7 for the sake of others thing down by any means. I really appreciate your humility, as we all do the best we can by God’s grace. We’re growing in Him, and have His precious example ever before us. May the Lord truly bless you as you walk in His ways… xoxo

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