“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 12:10 NLT
I believe that all of us are called to mother another. We mother the world that shows up at our doorstep whether we call it mothering or not. We mother whether we’re married or we’ve ever borne down in the battle cry of birth or not.
We mother because we’re called to it — this flinging a life preserver to a drowning sister, child, college student, teenager, grandmother with the soft wafer thin skin, or that kid who always shows up at your backdoor the second you’ve turned off the ignition.
We mother because we can’t not.
Because there are friends in the cubicle next to us who have been hurt and need a soft, safe place to come undone. We mother because we’ve watched our grandmas make slow, determined soup for the sick. We mother because the next door neighbor can’t change her tire in the blistering March wind and of course we call AAA for her and wait and shuffle feet and rub cold hands because she asked for help. Because, of course.
This is what we do. We love with all the genuine affection in our hearts, and we delight in honoring each other. We give ourselves away — little bits and pieces of who we are, of our courage, of our deep faith even on the nights we’re the most afraid. We bear down and we find ways to bring life to people desperate for air.
Every single woman who loves, sacrifices, encourages, tends, cares, raises, praises, shapes, forms, nurtures, and releases the people who become part of the next generation, no matter how you came to be connected with them, is doing an amazing, mothering work. And this month as we celebrate our earthly mothers, we celebrate you, too.
We believe in you and champion you and we will watch a generation raised up because of you. Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do.
Love,
Your friends at (in)courage
By Lisa-Jo Baker, from the (in)courage archives.
Leave a Comment
Paula says
Thanks for the wonderful message.. it was so appreciated. Be blessed and enjoy your Mother’s day.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Lisa-Jo and ladies,
God says we are made in His image – both male and female. I believe that, as women, we represent the caring and nurturing side of God. We often think of God as a man, yet He has attributes of both….the best of both. God is defined as having peace, patience, mercy, grace, and lovingkindness. These sure sound like motherly traits to me. Let’s all celebrate the aspects of God’s character that we represent and go out into this hurting world and Mother well the throngs that are hurting. Praying a special prayer for all the women out there for whom this day will be bittersweet or even agonizing. I pray that the lovingkindness side of God would draw near and comfort you in a way that only God can.
Blessings and a Beautiful Day to my (in)courage friends,
Bev xx
carol leboeuf says
Thank u Bev, you have a big heart. With love and prayers to you, also.
Rebecca L Jones says
The best of both, that’s good.
Mary c says
What a beautiful scripture passage & message to begin Mother’s Day.
An blessing to be a woman & honours others daily. Enjoy the day !
Dana says
Thank you so much for all of us who aren’t typically thought of as mothers. <3
carol leboeuf says
Beautiful
Penny says
So beautifully spoken…..
This group has been a God send, I am so grateful, thank-you. I pray that you all have a very blessed day,
Penny
Beth Williams says
Lisa-Jo & Ladies,
Thanks for an encouraging message. I have never been a “mother-with children”. I have spent a lot of time “mothering’ my aging parents before they died. I don’t regret a minute of it. Out of the abundance of Jesus’ love I can encourage and mother the elderly, sick, hurt, etc. This world today needs strong, loving people to come out and show them God’s abundant care & love. We need to reach out where they are-listen and give them agape!
Blessings 🙂
Stephanie says
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you beautiful women! Thank Lisa jo for sharing. You are so right we all have a mothers instinct. So happy for this truth and so grateful for these inspirationas every day. May God bless you always. Xoxo ❤️
Josephine Broderick says
Thank You! Happy Mother’s Day!!
Rebecca L Jones says
We certainly are all that, those of us who can’t resist the urge to mother. I’m finding it hard to back off certain situations where I do just that, but the Lord says to, sometimes, people have to grow for themselves or learn the hard way.
M says
Thank you. I’m not a mother but have great affection in my heart for children and for people. So often, women without children can feel worthless or of no meaning on Christian sites. Someone once told me ” it’s what we’re made for” and yes it is. But those words echo sometimes and increase the feelings of failure. This post today has cheered as reminds me that all that caring, mothering instinct doesn’t have to be exclusively about your own children. X