I wasn’t always a Christian; I grew up an atheist, and God was not welcome in my parents’ home. So, I spent the first years of motherhood without faith in God, and although I found myself praying on occasion, I didn’t believe. I have experienced motherhood with and without faith in God, and there is certainly a vast difference between the two existences.

Comfort & Contentment Instead of Anxiety and Fear

Someone asked me, ‘What’s the difference between Christian Motherhood and just Motherhood.’ Curious, she looked at me, and I replied, ‘Comfort and contentment.’ I continued, ‘Because no matter what you have done, what you do, or what you are going to do, He loves you. God loves you. He sent His only Son to die for you and me and everyone.’ We can choose to accept that or leave it, but His love will never cease. Christian mothers have the comfort of His love and know that no matter what, they’re loved. With that love comes contentment even when things are chaotic in life because he is the same; His Word never changes.’ She had tears in her eyes at that moment, and I prayed that she would feel His love and know Him.

​There was so much more I could have told her that day, and I want to share it here with you. So, here are three more things I believe are different…

Listen to the Word, Not the World

The Bible is often referred to as God’s Word as it is the closest thing we have written by man through divine inspiration; it is made up of many people’s writing and is the same now as it was thousands of years ago. Granted, we have different translations now. I lean toward the KJV, which is seen as the closest to the original texts. Looking to scripture gives us an unmovable, unchanging foundation to view and live in the world. The world, however, is constantly changing, and our worldly culture spits out new fads, fashions, and viral content so regularly it’s hard to keep up with. Christian mothers, though, don’t have to keep up with the Joneses because life is more than the food we eat and the clothes we wear. Luke 12:22-23 says:

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Focusing on Jesus Leads Mothers to a More Humble and Loving Heart Focused on Service

Jesus, for both Christians and non-Christians alike, is the golden standard for love, kindness, and service. He showed us how to love people, even those who would have us killed. In Luke 23:34, Jesus said:

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Christian mothers, as Christians, are supposed to follow Christ as best they can by asking what he would do and how he would treat the person in front of them. We are to try acting like him in any given situation while humbling ourselves to the truth that we will never be as good, righteous, or loving as him. In contrast, motherhood of the world teaches mothers self-love, internal self-righteousness, and pride, with things like affirmations and manifesting. Mothers of the world are encouraged to serve their own wants and desires first and foremost to gain happiness. Happiness, a fleeting emotion, is framed as a life goal. This inevitably leads to dissatisfaction in life. For Christian mothers, however, joy is the goal not in one’s own work or life but rather a joy in the LORD our God because he came here and lived the life of a human so he could die to free us and rise again to raise us with Him.

Children are a Blessing, not a Burden

Western motherhood says children are a burden that they drain resources and stop you from accomplishing your dreams, but Christian motherhood tells us that children are a blessing. Seeing children as burdens leads to discontent and regret, but when we see children as blessings, we focus on gratitude and the gift of life and time.

​Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but these ideas are evident in our society at large.