Does Being a Mom Matter? The Truth About the Little Things We Do
Listen to the audio version below, read by Cheryl Davis.
“Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.”
Gandalf the Gray, The Hobbit (the movie, not the book.)
As a child, I dreamed of grand adventures filled with kingdoms, dragons, magic, great villains, mighty heroes, epic fights, and victories snatched from the claws of defeat. I used to dream of the extraordinary, much different than my homeschool life filled with schoolwork, lots of reading because I loved books, playing, and chores.
Even as an adult, I often find myself bored with the everyday. A small part of me wants those epic adventures where the hero always saves the day. I crave excitement in the middle of wiping little tushies, getting boogers out of tiny noses, and solving once and for all who gets the green plate at dinner.
I look at my normal life, filled with people I love, at times miraculous provision, trials and illness, and sometimes I want adventure instead. I find myself wishing for everything that's not what I have. But then I feel that little nudge that says, "No, you don't want that. What you want is Me. You want to feel worth something. You want to feel valued. You want to feel like you matter. You want to make an impact that is measurable." But how do you make an impact that is measurable when you're just a mom? It's not hard. We make it difficult, but it's not. We think that we need to be the movers and shakers of this world to make a difference, but that is a lie. While those people are valuable, they are the exception, not the rule. Moms, dads, everyday people… they are the norm, they are the rule. Believe it or not, people like you and me can make an enormous impact even though it often feels like everything we do is completely pointless.
If you have read Mom Life Devotions at all in the last year, you know some of what we have gone through, what we have experienced, and what God has walked us through. The things that have gotten us through our darkest times have not been miracles but small acts from "normal" people. What has gotten us through our darkest times are people coming to our house and sitting with us in our pain, confusion, and hurt. It has been people randomly and anonymously helping us with things that we can't afford because they feel led to. Oftentimes these things just show up or are given at random. We rarely see money, we see the result of their kindness, generosity and obedience. Being seen in hurt is one of the greatest gifts we have ever been given.
When Jesus came into the world, He didn't come with rolling clouds of thunder and lightning. He came as an unassuming infant, born of a poor house, and grew up in a no-name city that no one thought would count for anything. Jesus came as a servant, not as a Lord. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. And we are commanded to do the same. We are commanded to serve our fellow man, our fellow believers. Mark 10:42-45. We are called to look after others and think of them better than ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4. We are called to do our work with excellence and by doing our work with excellence, we are actually bringing praise to God. Work is an act of worship when it's done well. Colossians 3:23
It's far too easy to believe that whatever we do has to be big and flashy to really count. It's easy to believe that the small things that we do are completely meaningless. But the Bible does not agree with this thought process. Not even a little bit.
In Mark 12, Jesus praises the widow for giving her two little coins. He did not praise the others who gave abundantly because they had abundance. He praised the one who gave little because that was all she had. She had little, and that's what she gave. Giving when what we have is worthless, like the widow, is an act of worship to the Lord. Being obedient when it doesn't make any sense is an act of worship. Smiling at the homeless person on the street, chatting with an old widow in a store, listening to a child, being nice to the frazzled clerk in the grocery store… these seem like nothing, but it's the little things that make an impact in the Kingdom of God. It's not these big flashy things, although those are nice. It’s the little things.
It's easy to fall into the trap and think that our day isn't really a good day if nothing extraordinary happens. When everyone is still alive at the end of the day, God is still there. Isn't that a good day? Rejoice and be glad for the simple fact that the Lord has made it for us and given us breath to live in it. Why are our standards so skewed? Why do we struggle so hard to find joy in the little things? We have to stop believing the lie that the only thing that matters is the extraordinary.
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:9-10
Motherhood is an incredible journey filled with hard lessons and beautiful moments. We go from being individuals, to learning how to put one person's needs before our own, to having to put everyone's needs before our own because the power of life and death is literally in our hands, or rather our mammary glands.
I get so tired of doing what is good. I am tired of wiping poops, blowing noses, and cleaning up after everyone. It feels like a waste of time to help my daughter put her shoes on the right feet for the fourth year in a row. I don't want to stay calm when my children decide they know what is best for themselves in their infinite experience. But every now and again I get a glimpse of what is growing in my children, and my heart is so encouraged! There is something growing in my kids that is beautiful! There are seeds of kindness, love, forgiveness, acts of service, generosity, bravery, strength, discipline and so many more.
When you're tired and you don't see any fruit from hours you're pouring into your children, you aren't alone. My husband and I often feel the same way, wondering if anything we do or say is sinking into our children's minds and heart. It is, but it takes time for these seeds to sprout. Some of these things only take a few years, others we are five years in and still waiting. In the meantime, all we can do is keep planting, keep watering, and pray for a harvest of blessing in our children.
Hang in there, mamas. Be faithful in the little things, like kissing booboos and playing a game of Uno. No matter how silly or insignificant the things we do are, they matter! We are watering wisdom, planting faith, and every little thing can be an act of worship to our God.
Until next week, may the God who cares for the sparrows and the ants reveal how much He cares for you.
Cheryl
Deeper reading:
All verses are clickable and lead to Bible.com/YouVersion.Psalms 118:24
Matthew 25:15-30
Mark 9:36-37
Mark 10:42-45
Mark 12:43-44
Luke 16:10
Galatians 6:9-10
Philippians 2:3-4
Colossians 3:22-24
Hebrews 6:10-12
This week’s episodes:
August 25, 2025: 7 | Does God Allow Us to Grow in Safety? A Devotion Inspired by Mom Life
August 27, 2025: 8 | Mom Life Straining Your Marriage? 3 Ways to Restore Your Relationship