To the mothers…

To the mother like…

Eve, who has failed in one aspect or another, and the entire ‘world’ knows. Who got up and started new. Pushed on and persevered, despite your failures and all the ‘family drama’…Keep your head up. You are not who enemy says you are…You are the mother of life, and without you nations would not even exist.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (KJV)

Sarah (Genesis 11:30, 21:1-2), Rebekah (Genesis 25:21), Rachel (Genesis 29:21, 30:22) Samson’s mother; unnamed, (Judges 13: 1-3) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:5-6, 20), all these women, who wanted nothing more than to hold a child in their arms. It may have been a short journey of only a few years. Or perhaps it was been a long, tough, hard several years…But now, on this day you hold your promised child in your arms! Congratulation on your first Mother’s Day! Hold tight, cherish these moment, they truly are fleeting!

… “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:24-25 (KJV)

To the woman like Mary, whose life has not gone as you imagined. Despite your circumstances though, your faith is strong and you trust God. You had many happy years with your child…but in the end you lost him/her much too early. Whether your child fought an illness, or was taken without warning; you would have gladly and willingly taken that cross. Life will never be the same; you will always have a void in your heart for the child no longer by your side. Don’t lose faith! God is in control. He loves you, and he too knows the pain of losing a child. 

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)

To the women like Bathsheba, you too know loss…The heartache of losing a baby. The heartache of a promise that never came to be…or was birthed, but only for a blink of an eye. The wondering of whom your child was; who he or she was to become? A piece of your heart is missing. God hears your cries. He knows your heartache…Lay your burdens at the cross and let Him heal you. It won’t happen overnight, and you will never forget. But over time it you will learn to live with the heartache. And don’t be afraid to share your testimonies, and help other women who have miscarried, still birthed or lost a child shortly after birth deal with their pain and loss.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 (KJV)

Or perhaps you’re a Ruth. Your life has taken many unexpected turns. You thought you had your ‘happily ever after’ and then tragedy stuck. God never forsook you! He was with you as you cried your tears, then through the healing process as life continued on. When you least expected it, your redemption came, as God gave you a new start…a new chapter. With your “Boaz” you now hold new life in your arms. Without Ruth, Jesus, the Light of the World, would  have never arrived.

And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman. So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.  Ruth 4:9-13 (KJV)

Rahab, who is known by all as a harlot…Perhaps you can relate. Your past seems to follow you wherever you go. Don’t listen to the enemy…you know who you are in Christ! You are not your past. You are a daughter of the most high God! Don’t ever forget that scarlet tassel that hung from Rahab’s window which was used to lure men into her place of business; the tassel no longer stand for that! It was scarlet, like blood…You are washed white by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross…and now as a child of God, you too are linked in His lineage!

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

Maybe you can relate to Gomer (Hosea 1:1-11, 3:1-5) and the unnamed woman with the jars of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7) Whose lives took turns and paths they never expected. You are a single mother, trying your best to provide for your children. Keep your head up and don’t lose faith. God hears your prayers. He knows your struggles. Know that your salvation is coming…perhaps though your own Hosea or ‘oils’…Remember this is only a season; it too shall pass.

But they who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary: and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

To the women who were not ready to become mothers, yet found themselves in a difficult place with a difficult decision to make…Despite your circumstances, and what the world would have you do, you choose life. You carried your child for nine short months and then in love, you let them go. You are no less of a mother. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise! Hold your head up! What great love you have shown by putting the needs of your child first. By sacrificing your wants and desires.

And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it…1 Kings 3:24-26 (KJV)

And lastly to the women who never held a child in their womb, but opened their arms, hearts and homes to  orphans. What a beautiful picture of the gospel your life is! For we are all adopted sons and daughters of God.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Ephesians 1:5 (KJV)

Whether you’re an Eve, Ruth, Mary, Rahab or any of the other woman mentioned above; perhaps even a mix of several, motherhood is hard. But despite your circumstances you wake up each morning, laying down your wants, your desires, and many times even your needs; sacrificing all for your children. Take some time today to pause from your busy life, and look to see all that God has blessed you with. Thank him for this season no matter how crazy, hard, tiring, or wonderful it is. For this season, this life we have, will soon be gone. (1 Peter 1:24-25)

Always remember no matter the season, the passing of time…you have hope! (1 Peter 3:1-6)

You have a savior who never leaves or forsakes you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5-6)

Who loves you with unconditional love. (John 3:16)

Who champions you and provides for your every need. (Philippians 4:19)

How awesome a God we serve that He allows us to be the mothers of His most precious creations for the short time we walk this earth! It is a privilege and an honor to be a mother…and yes, a huge responsibility! But it is responsibility that you have been ordained for since the foundation of the earth! Never forget that you are valued and loved by God!

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Psalm 139:13-18 (KJV)

Happy Mother’s Day!