Honoring Motherhood

May 2020

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.”

(Philippians 1:3 ESV)

I first want to honor my own mother. I am blessed to call her my friend. I am forever thankful for our journey in this life together. Ups and downs have carved a beautiful relationship built on the foundation of God’s promises. Although Mother's Day is a happy day for some, it isn’t for most.

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.“

(Isaiah 66:13 ESV)

Mother’s Day holds many emotions for people all around the world. Grief spikes to unprecedented levels for many women during this holiday. Desires to have a child, the loss of a child or mother, deep regrets, shame, loneliness, and hurts surface. I have heard story after story of the pain people walk through reliving the hurt and trauma even from what the mere word “mother” carries with it. So, to dedicate a whole day to celebrate the word and its meaning can be difficult.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

(Psalm 34:18 NLT)

Those hurting, Jesus sees you. He knows you by name and sees the deep desire of your heart and thoughts in your mind. You are not alone! You are seen and loved. I encourage you to allow Him to hold you and carry you past the pain.

“In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.”

(1 Peter 5:10 NLT) I have had my share of pain. I may not understand everything you are walking through, but I do know someone who does—Jesus is His name. He has held me time and time again as I have walked through my pain with my own mother, family, and children. He has been faithful to heal every wound tied to the word “mother” and He will for you, too. Allow Him to step in your life and hold you. Give the pain, hurt, betrayal, disappointments, and regrets to Him. He is a good Father and Mother all wrapped up into one and He cares for you.

“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

(Mark 6:30 NLT)

Those that are mother’s, I honor you. It is not an easy task and you have been given a great treasure from Heaven. Those fathers or family members who have stepped into a mother roll for your children, you are awesome. Single moms, you are superheroes. God will bless you all beyond your wildest imagination for pouring into His children that He has entrusted you with.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

Psalm 127:3 (NLT)

Those mothers and mother figures who don’t feel they are doing a very good job, keep walking and don’t give up. Jesus loves you and is proud of you. As you turn to Him, He will give you strength and guidance on how to be the best mother figure you can be. They won’t be children long, so try to enjoy the process even if you feel like you are drowning. He will rescue you. Ask Jesus for help! He is so close to you and is cheering you on.

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all ...”

(Proverbs 31:25-30 NLT)

I remember holding my crying infant that had not slept all night in days. People told me that my kids would grow up fast and that I would miss it one day. I didn’t believe them. But, oh is it soooo true! I now have a teenager and two children in college. I’m pretty sure I blinked and they grew up on me. Time goes by so fast! It is important to enjoy every moment of each day. No matter if you are desperately asking God for a child or have nineteen kids and counting, I encourage you to live each second without regrets for seasons in life don’t last forever.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

(Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

The goal of every parent should be to raise children independent of you and dependent on God—pointing them closer to His heartbeat. We don’t get to hold onto our children or keep them, for they were never ours to begin with. They are God our Father’s children given to us to love, train, and teach to follow Him. He has entrusted us to intercede for our children, future children, and for generations to come.

”And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

(Genesis 22:8 ESV)

My prayer is that the Lord surround all of our children with Godly friends and examples to lead them and guide them closer to Him. Lord, help them grow the gifts You have placed in them. Place people in their lives to sharpen them, but not harm their spirit. Guard them in all their ways. May they not fall for the tricks or traps of the enemy and always seek Your face. May they follow You, Jesus, in all that they do. Give them a deep intimacy with You, Lord, and show them the secrets You have for them in Heaven and on earth. Cover them with Your blood and may Your DNA flow to the generations to come. May Your light shine through our bloodline to all those around. Pour out Your Spirit on our children and mold them into Your image, Lord. Use them for Your glory. May they walk in Your footsteps. Show them that You are all they need.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

(Joel 2:28 ESV) As I continue to lay my own children at the feet of Jesus daily, I am excited to watch them fly and see where the Lord leads them and what He does in and through them. I call greatness in them to rise as they step into the next chapters and seasons of their lives. I am so proud of them and honored that the Lord chose me to be their mom. I hope they always remember, with Jesus by their side, they are unstoppable!!!

“May He grant their heart’s desires and make all their plans succeed.”

(Psalm 20:4)

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On Mother's Day 2019 the Lord showed me men and women that were at different stages in pregnancy. After I got over the shock of men being pregnant, I asked the Lord what He wanted to show me.

He said,

“Many people are very pregnant with expectation. I am birthing a hunger in My people for more of Me. I am placing a deep desire for them to seek Me and spend time in the secret place with Me. I am raising up spiritual mothers and fathers full of compassion. The season of birthing the new is here and it will not look like you expect.”

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

(Isaiah 49:15 ESV)

So, here we are a year later. Things look very different than what I expected. I feel it is a major sign that many churches will be reopening their doors on Mother’s Day after the coronavirus pandemic. They were not able to reopen on Passover or Easter as many had hoped, but instead on Mother day 2020. I feel it has to do with the womb of the Bride.

I believe the season of birthing has come and is being brought forth. Life as we know it has changed, and with it, many expectations have been chiseled away. Everyone has had to pause and rethink what their “new” is going to look like. Many have had time to reconnect with family and bond on new levels. Families have shifted and awoken to the realization that they are the church. Church reopened during this pandemic on a whole new level to birth the new.

“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

(1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV)

We are stepping into a harvest season of great compassion. The Lord loves us so much that He is cutting away all the old and is now causing the birthing pains to come to birth the new. All mothers out there know very well what it feels like to give birth. It is horribly painful. But, as soon as you hold that new baby in your arms, all the bad instantly goes away and joy fills all memory of the birthing pains.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

(Matthew 9:36-38)

Many laborers are awakening to the feeling of the pains of what the Lord is birthing. But be encouraged, that soon all that hurt, pain, and weariness will soon be replaced with joy beyond measure. It might be bloody and messy, but once that baby gets all cleaned up, it will smell like fresh baby lotion.

“For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

(Psalm 30:5 AMPC)

Your promise is coming! The new is on the way. Hold tight, don’t give up, and keep walking. God is faithful and He is birthing something beautiful out of YOU!

“He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!”

(Psalm 113:9 ESV)