Stasi Eldridge in her book Captivating says that all women are called to mother. She says “To mother is to encourage, nurture, and mother them toward their true selves. Women partner with Christ in the vital mission of bringing forth life. It is about seeing who a person really is and calling them out to be that person.”
As Mother’s Day approaches I am reminded that there are many women who do not have mothers or they had unhealthy relationships with their mothers. They have not grown up knowing what the nurturing love of a mother feels like. They do not understand the words of encouragement that can come from a Mother’s soft voice. Or the love felt in her embrace or the touch of her hand. There are women who long for the friendship that mother and daughters can often share. They have not heard the sweet whisper of a mother say “I love you”.
I truly believe that God can and does nurture us with the heart of both mother and father. I know because I have experienced it. Jesus in Matthew 23:37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” Can you hear his tender heart’s cry for his children?
My dear sister’s I know there are many of you out there who long for the tender nurturing from a mother’s heart. Even now you long for it as an adult. It’s normal. Don’t let the enemy tell you anything different.
Acknowledge your longing and take it to Jesus. It is only there that the longings will be filled. It’s in the truth of God’s word that you will find the tender mercies of a savior that desires to be both mother and father to you.
And sometimes...
God gives us the precious gift of women who will come along side us to nurture us and touch us in ways that leave us stronger and confident. They help us grow up spiritually and emotionally.
I have had the privilege to have such women in my life. Each sister in Christ has touched me in different way. They have nurtured my heart in a way that has brought healing and has encouraged me to go deeper in my walk with God.
God has used them in my life to nurture me toward my true self. To grow me to become the woman God knows I can be. Through these godly women God birthed life into me as they invited me into deeper levels of healing, deeper walks with God, and deeper intimacy with Jesus.
Now it’s time for me to mother, to nurture and come along side other women and invite them to a deeper walk with God.
My precious sisters if you find this Mother's Day difficult remember to go to Jesus, He alone can comfort and gather you under His wing and sing sweet, sweet songs of love and mercy to your heart.
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17
May you have a wonderful Mother's Day as you continue to make yourself available to 'mother' your Internet sisters and daughters in Christ.
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ, laVender
That is beautiful Sharon! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAfter my divorce, my ex husband hunted me down and beat me to an inch of my life. That was 18 years ago.
Because of that, I had to change my name and move to a different state. I have not seen my mother since! Or my father.
Thank you so much for reminding me that Jesus IS both mother and father to me.
God bless you sister.
Happy Mothers Day!