By Darla Butterfield May 28th, 2024
Today is the last day of preschool for my youngest child. It marks another “last” event in motherhood as he’ll be headed off to full-day kindergarten in the Fall. Sometimes last moments sneak up on us and we don’t know it’s that last one until later…like the last time your baby wakes you for that 3:00 AM feeding or the last time your toddler kisses you on the cheek before daycare drop off. Last moments in life may mark new seasons ahead. There’s a bittersweet nature to each stage of motherhood, coupled with excitement for the new adventure of what the next season will hold.
New seasons can also be scary with so much unknown ahead. Will my child do well in kindergarten? Will middle school be an overwhelming transition? Am I up to the responsibilities at my new job? How will I juggle it all in the Fall?
I know I can get wrapped in the “what if’s” as one season ends, and a new one is just on the horizon. We see this in the life of Moses when God shows up in the burning bush. Moses was out in the wilderness taking care of his father-in-law’s flock. It had been 40 years since he had left Egypt (Acts 7:30). He’s probably not anticipating that this will be his last day herding that flock and was about to be entering a new season of life he didn’t see coming.
In Exodus 3:10-12, we see that God tells Moses:
“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
And God said, “I will be with you.”
In Moses’ doubt and fears, God reminds him that he was not alone. God would be with him.
In Exodus 4:1-2, Moses again questions God:
“What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”
Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A staff,” he replied.”
God goes on to show Moses how He was equipping Moses with all that he would need in leading the people out of Egypt. God wasn’t calling Moses to an impossible task and leaving him empty handed. He was providing Moses with exactly what was necessary for the role God was calling him to.
When Moses continues to question God and doubt his ability to speak to the people, God reminds Moses of who He is.
“The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4:11-12)
Moses still wants God to send someone else, but God doesn’t give up on His calling over Moses. Instead, he sends Aaron to help him on the journey ahead.
Are you facing a last moment or a new adventure ahead? Is God calling you to a task and you’re doubting His decision to choose you? Are you drowning in a sea of “what if” questions instead of surrendering them to the Lord?
Remember that God is with you! He’s walking with you on the journey He’s called you to. You may not be embarking on leading God’s people out of slavery, but you may be teaching the little ones in your home to trust God. You may be setting an example to your family or at your work of what a woman who follows Jesus with all her heart looks like. God will equip you for whatever task He’s called you into. If it’s a new season ahead, trust Him with it. He created you!
And to all the mothers out there experiencing their “last” moments, remember that God created your child. He knows what He’s doing, and we can trust Him with our children. Embrace that last moment and soak it up as a new adventure lies ahead, remembering that God will equip you for the next season of motherhood.
Comments