Mommas

Last month, I had the blessed privilege of spending six days with my niece and her newborn son. As I held that sweet baby boy in my arms, loving on him and rhythmically rocking him, I was taken back more than thirty years to the awesome memories of holding my newborn babies. There is something magical about holding a newborn; listening to their quiet breathing and feeling the rise and fall of their tiny bodies. Holding that sweet baby boy reminded me of the miracle of life, God’s awesome power and His kept promises. As I held the baby, I was reminded that God’s good plan for the lives of His children began before the beginning of time (Jeremiah 1:5). Through gift of motherhood God chooses and uses us to birth, love and nurture (Psalm 139:13, Ecclesiastes 11:5). God chooses and uses mothers to grow our understanding of His undeserved mercy and grace. God chooses and uses mothers to glorify and serve Him (I Timothy 5:10). I am grateful for the gift of motherhood and look forward celebrating Mother’s Day 2023.

If you have adopted, birthed or mothered through loving and nurturing another, you have had the privilege of honoring God by modeling character, faith, and wisdom. Mothers know the sanctifying sweetness of showing the feminine side of God’s nature (Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 29:15). God uses this metaphor of mothering to describe the ways He cares His children (Isaiah 66:13). The Bible is clear about the high calling of motherhood. In God’s love letter to us, we find examples of mothers who were courageous, faithful, generous, long-suffering, patient, righteous, and wise. These mothers were spiritual women who put their faith, hope and trust in God. These mothers were rewarded for the confidence they had in our Heavenly Father. These were women who lived in obedience to His call and sacrificially served Him. These mothers help us to understand motherhood as a calling and an honor ordained by God. Scripture shares about some unlikely role model mommas in the Bible from whom we can learn much. 

The first unlikely role model momma, Eve, the first mother, is often used as a reminder of what we, women, wives and mothers should not be (Genesis 2:18-4:26). I contend she has more to teach us than what not to do or be because before the fall, without model or example, Eve had a relationship with God. She was made in His image and lived in intimacy with Him, in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:26-27). Eve is an example of what our relationship with The Father should look like. Despite her sin, she fulfilled God’s plan for her life. God uses Eve to teach us that He wants us to choose Him and His ways freely and first always. Eve reminds us that we, as women and mothers should be obedient to Him, following Him because of our love for Him.

Another unlikely role model momma is Hagar. A victim of her circumstances, Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai, who bore Abram’s first son, received help and hope right when she needed it. Even though it did not appear that anyone cared about Hagar, God viewed her as important. She reminds us that God does not discriminate. Regardless of her station in life and the way that she conceived, God was still with her and took the time to speak to her (Genesis 16:7-12). God sent an angel to this young mother and spoke life to her, revealing son’s future. It is through Hagar, we are introduced to El Roi, The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13). Hagar reminds us that regardless of our circumstances, predicaments or situations, placing our faith and trust in God, the God Who Sees us, leads to His powerful protection.

Wronged and mistreated, Bathsheba is yet another unlikely role model momma form whom we can learn much. The lineage of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ comes through the bloodline of Bathsheba. Contrary to the story we grew up with, Bathsheba did not seduce David. She was forced to commit adultery (2 Samuel 11:2-4). Bathsheba’s relationship with David cost her much, she lost of her first husband and firstborn son (2 Samuel 11:26-27). She became a protective and wise mother who when everything seemed stacked against her, kept her faith in God. Her faith in God is what kept her heart and mind during what seemed like madness. When all in Bathsheba’s life failed to make sense, God was working. Bathsheba reminds us that we can find meaning in all we go through and have been through, when we look at things from God’s perspective.

I encourage you to take a fresh look at the Biblical examples of motherhood, particularly the unlikely role model mommas highlighted in this offering. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God specializes in making something wonderful from everything He touches? Regardless of the ups and downs of our lives, remember if God allowed it, it has Divine purpose. God’s grace, favor, love and mercy are for all of His daughters. When we keep our hearts and minds focused on The Father, He can and will redeem our situations. God will use the stories of our lives to bear witness to what He can do with a life fully yielded to Him. Crawl up in the arms of the Heavenly Father, allow Him to gently rock you, love on you and nurture you. You, my sister can be an unlikely role model momma in the life of another. 

Join me Under The Church Hat for this month’s exercise:

Who have you mothered through birth or mentoring? Describe how you have demonstrated God’s love toward them?

In less than 250 words, write a note to your mother sharing your gratitude for the way God used her in your life. If she is living mail it to her, if she has gone on to glory, send it symbolically.

What can the story of your life teach others about God’s redemptive power?

Which of the unlikely role model momma of the Bible do you resonate? In less than 250 words, describe why.

Choose a passage of scripture from this devotion to meditate on throughout the month.