by Shalyn Yuen
A children’s book author and mother of two children aged 15 and 8, Shalyn Yuen reflects on the growing pains of motherhood seen in light of the Gospel, and its lasting rewards.
Truth be told, stepping into motherhood felt like a whirlwind. As a new mother, I struggled to juggle night feeds, endless cleaning, establishing a routine, and most of all, nurturing my little one.
I had always understood ‘ministry’ as serving God within the church, so when I became a mother, it felt like that part of my life had taken a backseat. My priorities shifted entirely, revolving around my child. In the midst of it all, my faith journey seemed to take a dip. I hadn’t even realised I was losing sight of God.
I found myself trapped in a cycle of exhaustion. But then came my aha moment when I refocused on God and recognised that motherhood itself is His gift to me. This wasn’t an overnight revelation, but an ongoing journey of refining and growth with Him.
Here are three key lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Lesson 1: Seeing ministry in a new light
By recognising that motherhood is a divine gift, I began to understand stewardship in a new way. I learned to rely on Him more, trusting that God would equip me for the role He had entrusted to me. My faith took a turn and I found myself discovering God again.
It was a new path He had laid before me, one I had not expected but was learning to embrace. As I sought to understand what ‘ministry’ truly meant, I stopped feeling guilty for not serving in church or the community. Instead, I was reminded that my home could be my place of ministry – faithfully serving Him by raising two beautiful children.
Every ministry involves transformation, and motherhood was no exception. It has stretched me – shaping me to love deeper, be more patient, and put someone else’s needs above my own. My faith was growing, maturing in ways I never anticipated.
Lesson 2: Anchoring my identity as a child of God
Admittedly, I went through an identity crisis. I let go of my aspirations of being a career woman and distanced myself from the corporate social circle. It felt like I had lost a significant part of who I was outside the home.
It was a confusing season. But in the midst of it, I came to realise that there is only one identity that never changes – my identity as a child of God. That truth became a beautiful reassurance from Him.
As I navigated motherhood, I began to grasp my relationship with my Heavenly Father in a deeper way. Through caring for my children, I caught a glimpse of His unwavering love for me, even in my failures, and His patience with my stubbornness when I insisted on doing things my way. I now have a greater appreciation for His unconditional and sacrificial love.
Lesson 3: Newfound deep purpose in life
Motherhood has given me a renewed sense of purpose. Life can easily pull us in different directions, but motherhood kept me grounded. I needed to be a firm foundation for my children.
I discovered that my purpose wasn’t just about raising them but about being a role model, living out my faith according to His ways and will. Since becoming a mother, every choice I make is shaped by this calling – to be His light in my children’s lives.
Embracing motherhood as God’s ministry is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. While I am still a work in progress, these three lessons have become faith anchors, guiding me as I minister to my children daily and allowing me to experience more of my Heavenly Father’s love in the process.
