“But women will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.” (1 Timothy 2:15)
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure…” (Titus 2:4-5)
Motherhood is such a beautiful thing, truly. But if we’re honest, it’s also quite the shift, isn’t it?
There’s the joy, the butterflies, the giggles at every kick… but there’s also the weight of knowing that your life is about to change forever. And while you may be preparing your hospital bag, reading up on feeding and sleeping schedules, or figuring out which baby cot is best, let me ask you: have you started preparing your heart too?
Because motherhood starts long before the baby arrives.
It’s Not Just About the Nursery, It’s About Your Heart
I remember how it felt carrying a child for the first time. I had a whole checklist of things I thought I needed to do, register at the clinic, buy baby clothes, read all the mommy blogs. But one thing that wasn’t on my list at the time was this: Prepare your heart.
The truth is, this role of “mother” isn’t just a title. It’s a calling. A divine one. And it requires more than diapers and bottles, it requires love, patience, faith, self-control, and an endless supply of grace (especially for yourself!).
Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:15 that women are “saved through childbearing,” if we continue in faith, love, and holiness. That’s not a burden, it’s an invitation. An invitation to partner with God, to let Him shape you even as you prepare to shape this little life.
Emotions Will Come, Prepare for Them Too
One thing I’ve learned is that motherhood brings all the emotions. There’s joy, yes, and then a sudden “can I really do this?” It’s all valid. It’s all part of the journey. And you know what? That’s okay.
Titus 2:4-5 tells us to love our children, be kind, self-controlled, pure… Listen, that kind of character doesn’t just appear when the baby is born, it’s something God begins to build in you now.
That’s why preparing your heart is so important. Because your emotions will be tested. Your patience will stretch. You’ll have days you feel like superwoman, and days you’ll just want to cry in the bathroom for five minutes alone. Some days, you feel so short-fused that you wonder if you’re the worst parent. Motherhood will require strength, especially during tough seasons, so develop your mental and emotional strength through healthy habits such as physical activity, rest, and confessions from the scriptures. Trust that God will equip you with the strength you need (Philippians 4:13).
Motherhood doesn’t demand perfection, it demands surrender. Ask God to help you surrender the desire for perfection and to lean on His strength. I can tell you from personal experience that ‘perfection no help anybody’.
Having toddlers can almost make you question your sanity. A dear mama in my church and I were talking yesterday about our little ones, and we came to the conclusion that these guys must be solar-powered, because how else do you explain those endless bursts of energy that only seem to wane when the sun sets? In the midst of all this, your home can start to feel like a mini jungle. In fact, we joked that we should put up little signposts on our doors that read, “Welcome to Toddlers’ Home.” It seems as though no sooner have you finished arranging than they’re already scattering everything again.
But in the midst of all this, God is near to you. In fact, if you can believe it, your house is more like heaven than you think, because of the numerous activities of angels around you and your little one. Scripture says that their angels constantly behold the face of God (Matthew 18:10). So while it may feel chaotic, there is divine order at work. Your home is not just full of toddler or baby energy (for the ones jabbing us in the womb), it is also full of God’s presence and angelic watch.
So, begin to trust that God will guide you every step of the way. Surrender to the process, to God’s grace and to learning as you go. Motherhood can bring out emotions you might not have expected, learn to rely on God’s healing power to heal from past wounds, to strengthen you for the emotions involved in the journey ahead.
If you’re married, it’s crucial to prepare your heart for motherhood with your spouse. Discuss your roles, expectations, and goals as parents. Pray together for wisdom and unity, and ensure that you are both on the same page in your approach to raising children.
Even in the midst of the challenges, cultivate a heart of thankfulness. Reflect on the blessings of God you have enjoyed up till now and those of motherhood. Psalm 100:4 says to ‘enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise… This heart posture can be a powerful practice in motherhood, too.
This Is a Spiritual Assignment
Don’t get so busy buying things for the baby that you forget to build things into the baby. Even now, you can begin speaking over your child. Praying for their destiny. Dedicating them to God before they even take their first breath. It’s not too early. In fact, this is the perfect time. I believe every child carries a divine assignment, and God chose you, you in particular, to steward that assignment. What an honor.
So don’t shy away from it. Lean into it. Talk to God about your child. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him to show you how to love, guide, and nurture this soul He’s placed in your care.
Reflect on scriptures like Psalm 127:3-5, which describes children as a heritage from the Lord, and let that sink into your heart.
As you prepare for motherhood, deepen your relationship with God through prayer, worship, and Bible study. A strong foundation in Him will help you navigate the ups and downs of motherhood with a sense of peace and assurance. Lean on His promises, like Isaiah 40:11, which speaks of how He gently leads those who are with young.
One Last Thing…
You may not feel ready. And honestly, you may never feel 100% ready, you can read all there is to read on motherhood and still not be ready. It’s a whole different ball game when you actually get into the field. You know that feeling when you prepare for a math exam, only to walk in and be rudely shocked by the questions? (I used to be shocked all the time in secondary school, my experience with mathematics was like a horror story, the numbers dancing in the scripts and just downright smiling back at me)
But the good news is, you don’t have to do this alone. Be willing to accept help now and after delivery of your precious one. No one does motherhood alone. Surround yourself with a supportive community like family, friends, or a church group. Sharing experiences, advice, and prayer can be a powerful way to prepare your heart for the challenges and joys of motherhood.
Most importantly, God is with you. Right there in the waiting, in the wondering, in the late night cravings and early morning kicks. He’s working something beautiful in you and through you.
Sometimes, it’s much easier to feel anxious about the changes coming your way, but learning to trust in God’s perfect timing will help to calm your heart. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. He is too faithful to begin a thing and not see it through to the end. Philippians 1:6 assures us that “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Rest in the fact that He is always with you, even when you don’t feel like it. His name is Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
Preparing your heart for motherhood is a continual process, so allow God to shape and transform you through this journey, and know that He is with you every step of the way. Breathe. Pray. Receive His grace. And begin preparing your heart, not just for a baby, but for the sacred journey of becoming a mother.
You’ve got this. And even more importantly, God’s got you.
