About the Author

At (in)courage, we empower women to be like Jesus. Our writers share what’s going on in their life and how God’s right in the middle of it. They bring their joys & struggles so that you can feel less alone and be empowered by the hope Jesus gives.

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things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Karina, Thank you for this piece on mothering in the Body of Christ and in the world around you. I have several dear friends and a niece who long to be Moms. One gal had a very dysfunctional mom and the other, my niece has an amazing Mom. So many layers of longing in each of their hearts, but I have seen them all finding supernatural provision and ministry in the same way you have detailed here in your testimony of God’s faithfulness. This article came as a preemptive strike on the Mother’s Day ahead and draws our attention for the need to be sensitive to those who are vulnerable at this time. My Mom was THE BEST and I miss her every day she has been in heaven. Also, having a son in heaven makes the day very precious to my heart. THANK YOU for sharing your heart and giving us a spiritual heads up as the day approaches and we find opportunities to minister and pray with those who find Mother’s Day a challenge.

    • Thank you Mary for sharing! Mother’s Day is holds so many emotions and layers for all of us. Praying the Lord floods us with His love and grace!

  2. Such tender words. My mother was physically around but checked out when I was 2 after the death of my 9 year old sister. Thankfully we lived in my grandparents home and basically my grandmother raised me along with other older female relatives. Even today at age 69, I find I am fortunate enough to be supported by older friends. This became especially true when i became a widow 5 years ago. I knew at a young age the power of strong women. They may not all have had biological children but they were mothers just the same.

  3. Truly blessed by your devotional,thanks for sharing! I lost my mom 39 years ago and always felt alone and a desire to be loved, nurture and longing for my mother. And although I was blessed with my father as a dual parent. The void was always there. But God did the same for me as you,He blessed me with spiritual mothers,an awesome mother in law who was as close to a mother figure. I miss her dearly but I cherish our moments together and instill in my children all the wisdom and love she poured out. It’s at times like Mother’s Day that I truly reflect, grieve and memorialize my mother, mother in law, paternal grandmother and even my father. Their earthly vessels are gone but they are never forgotten. Because without God placing them in my life, I could not be the mother I am today. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Karina,

    My mom was a good mom. By the time I came around she already had 13, 9 & 7 year old girls to raise. She did a decent job. She has been gone 14 years now. So basically mothers’ day doesn’t mean much to me. Like you Karina I seek out older women. Most of my friends are older. I love helping them out & doing nice things for them. They make me laugh & enjoy life when it gets tough. Thanking God for Christian older women who mentor & love on us!

    Blessings 🙂

  5. I am mentoring a 6th grade girl who is motherless as well. I am happy to do so because God placed several older women in my life who helped me as I grew up. Having come from a dysfunctional family, it was so kind of Him to place me in their path. Now I am seeing that Brittney has been placed in mine. I’d like to encourage everyone to look for those young ladies in YOURS!

    • Yes Dawn! I love this! That is beautiful!!! God is so strategic in placing people in our lives. May God bless this relationship with His love, wisdom and direction.

  6. Karina, thank you for sharing your story. Our times are surely in the Lord’s hands, (Psalm 31:5). So thankful to the Lord for His hand in your life! I too was not raised by my mom. She suffered from mental illness, so at seven years of age, I was sent to an orphanage, a group home, then a foster family. I came to know the Lord at age ten, but did not follow him until my freshman year of college. At fourteen, I began to care for my mom the best I could! By God’s grace, the Lord brought people in our lives for a season, to help along the way, (Hebrews 13:2). Sharing my story gives me a moment to reflect on the Lord’s grace & mercy in my life! Continue to trust in Him with all of your heart! (Proverbs 3:5-6). Abundant blessings to you!
    D.J.

  7. I just have one thing to say after reading this: I thought someone had creeped into my head and
    was writing my story. Lots more details and “life” to tell, but I have been there, done that, and I too, thank Father God for bringing lots of older women into my life to help me – I probably didn’t
    always realize it at the time or conform as they would have liked, but I could feel their concern and love and that was what was important at the time. And now, I am the “older” women and God has given me so many people, men and women, to be my extended family – he is so busy!

  8. Thank you, Karina! My mom’s been gone over 20 years now. I do have 3 daughters. May God bless your wonderful ministry!

  9. AMEN! I was blessed with a godly mom but no kids of our own yet I get hugs from former 3-4th graders from my Sunday school class. My husband & minister to college kids with home cooked meals & texted prayers. And I’m a “mom” in our church’s Titus 2 Ministry. I assure you I am more blessed than if we’d had kids the traditional way!
    2 of our college kids honored us as honorary parents in their wedding. I told the groom’s dad we have this parenting thing figured out. I didn’t birth them, we didn’t change diapers or pay for college. Love poured out is it’s own reward!

  10. You are so precious to me, Karina. You are always loving in your greeting each time we meet. You show the love of Christ that many of we learned from our moms. But you, precious woman, learned it firsthand from your Father. John 14:26

  11. My mom is 86 and has been suffering from althzheimers for the last 15 years. For 5 years before that she was diagnosed with dementia and depression. In the last few months she is totally dependent on help for everything and barely recognizes my dad and I. Many older women in my congregation are wonderful at mothering me. It’s what being part of a family is about.

  12. Sad. I raised one grandson and continue raising another, 8 years old. Sons of my daughter. It is sad to hear them talking about their mother.