Motherhood has been one of my greatest joys, but also one of my greatest challenges. Motherhood has a way of keeping you humble and close to God, as you can find yourself asking for guidance with each new stage of development. It can be easy for mothers to feel discouraged in their calling and in their role in the Kingdom. I mean, changing diapers and cutting up grapes and teaching spelling words isn’t as powerful as standing behind a podium, preaching to thousands, right? Or is it?
Jesus’ first public miracle? That was because of His mother. She stepped in, persuaded God Almighty to change His timeline, and then told everyone “do what He says.” She paved the way for Jesus to perform His first in a long line of miracles that changed the world.
Because of a mother.
The Israelites’ deliverance and rescue from the Egyptians? The plagues, the parted sea, the chain of miracles surrounding them? God used Moses as His hands and feet. But Moses wouldn’t have been ready if not for his mother. She had him for the first three years of his life. Whatever she did, she instilled a love for the One True God. She gave him his identity. She left a mark stronger than forty years in the Egyptian palace could ever leave on him. Then, he in turn saved his people.
Because of a mother.
We commonly talk about Jesus using a young boy’s five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand. But who packed his lunch? A mother who had probably packed hundreds and hundreds of lunches over the years continued her daily faithful tasks of motherhood. And in turn, God used her preparation to feed thousands.
Because of a mother.
The Bible mentions several strong, powerful women who God used to leave a mark on the world. However, the Bible is absolutely FULL of mothers behind the scenes. Doing the faithful, ordinary acts of motherhood. Serving, preparing, teaching, growing, washing, and loving. Mothers who equipped their children for greatness.
If you are a mother, never take for granted your calling. The next time you pack a brightly colored lunchbox with a turkey sandwich and some chips, remind yourself that God used a packed lunch as the platform for a miracle. The next time you step in and encourage your child to be brave or to speak up, remind yourself that Jesus used Mary’s encouragement to begin His ministry. The next time you hum a hymn to your crying baby, or teach him how to say his nightly prayers, remind yourself of Moses’ mother. God can use these tiring, trying infant years as the foundation of a redeemer.
Because of a mother.
Keep going, young mama. Keep faithfully serving and loving and equipping. God can and is using you to change the world.
