Dear Moms,

As I write this letter, I am thinking of my own mom, my sisters, and the mothers at my church. I think of all the different stages and seasons in which we are involved. The beginnings of new life, all the way to adult children. I can even hear my mom say, “I can’t believe I am a mother of an almost 50-year-old!”. And even as an “almost 50-year-old”, I still need my mom. I need her because of what she represents for me. Of what she has made me feel all these years. She represents acceptance, unconditional love, comfort, and support. She represents all I desire to be for my own children.

At the same time, it reminds me of my personal failings as a mother. Maybe I wasn’t as patient as I should’ve been. I wasn’t the good example that I should have portrayed. I was not as kind, wise, or supportive in that situation as God has commanded me to be. Have you ever had those thoughts? In times when we are so busy with to-do lists or too exhausted from work? At the end of the day, we finally collapse into bed and the events of the day come back to haunt us- “Why did I do that? Why didn’t I handle that situation differently?” The guilt and discouraging thoughts creep in. And they hurt our hearts. I know. I’ve been there. But moms, if you have felt this, be encouraged. Bring those feelings to the LORD. Maybe you can do better. Maybe you did all you could do. The LORD knows your heart and intentions. (Jer. 17:10). Turn these discouragements of your abilities into a dependence and triumph of the Lord’s abilities and strength.

Moms-dear, loving, hard-working, self-sacrificing, underappreciated at times- moms, you are not alone. Your tears, sighs, and prayers do not fall on deaf ears. God hears you. Whether you pray for patience in the toddler years, or strength in the busyness of the school-age years. Whether you pray for your rebellious ones, lukewarm ones, or the ones with their own families, God knows exactly what each one of your children needs in every stage and season.

My encouragement to you today (and myself) is this:

1. Cling to the LORD

You shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done this day. Joshua 23:8

Clinging or holding fast to the LORD means holding on to Who He is and to the promises He is faithful to fulfill. It means believing Him, trusting Him, and therefore resting in Him. It is the opposite of what we naturally want to do. We want to control, monitor, and plan the aspects of our children’s lives. But we cannot do that forever. We must depend on the Lord’s sovereignty and loving control over these precious children. Additionally, it means knowing God’s will and joining ours to His. God may have different plans for our children than we do. As we study His Word and grow spiritually in our relationship with the LORD, we can respond to our children’s needs graciously and wisely. We can accept the LORD’s will for their lives. Acknowledging and praising Him for the joys and blessings of motherhood, and seeking His help when it’s hard.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths…it will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Prov. 3:5-8

2. Keep Praying

Pray without ceasing. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Thess.5:17, Col. 4:21

Nothing keeps us in step with the LORD as daily communion with Him. I know at times we don’t have too much uninterrupted time. Pray in those little moments when you can. Pray throughout the day. Little here, little there. I know some of my most heartfelt prayers have come when all I can mutter is “LORD, please help me”. But God knew the depth of need in my heart when I offered that up to him. So if all you’ve got is a few minutes here and there in a season of busyness, do that. But do it in sincerity and faithfulness. God will give a season of more time. As the LORD gives, give it back to him- in praise, in worship, and in supplication. Do not use the gift of time the LORD gives on futile or vain activities. Even the mundane tasks can be used to spend time with him. Let us use our time wisely, interceding and pleading for our loved ones, for “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”(James 5:16).

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

Eph. 6:18

3. Do not get weary

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. 2 Chron. 15:7

I believe God has put a kind of endurance and persistence inside the heart of a mother that is special. One that gives her the endurance and the fire to never give up on her child. To believe in the best of her child. To see her child and believe they can reach for the stars and grab hold. To see with the eyes of faith, her children as “oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, for the display of his splendor”(Is.61:3). To celebrate the greatest joys in their child’s life and be right beside them, mourning with them when they hurt. This love has given us a supernatural ability to keep mothering. Even when the road seems dusty and barren. Whether you have hit a spiritual wall with your child or they have wandered away from the Lord, don’t give up. Keep clinging and praying. Seek spiritual mothers who have gone through hard times and learn from them. God will grant you the endurance to run the race of your calling, “for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”(Gal.6:9).

4. The joy of the LORD is your strength

Go your way. Eat the fat and drink the sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to the Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Neh. 8:10

Lastly, let us remember why we are here. Remember what our purpose is. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and our minds heavenward. Our salvation is the greatest gift ever given to us. God chose us! We are his daughters, and He has given us a beautiful and worthy task. But He has not left us without resources. In Christ, we have a fountain of spiritual blessing and divine power at our disposal. For “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Pet.1:3). And “our God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8-9). Moms, we are strong and gracious, fully equipped and confident… in the power of Christ! Rejoice in the Lord, for He is your strength!”

Remember, moms: YOUR most important calling and ministry is your home and the precious souls that have come into and flown from there. Teach them about Jesus. But most importantly, show them YOU know Him, love Him, and follow Him. Offer up to the LORD all you have- even if it is two small fish and a loaf of bread. Or a handful of flour and a little bit of oil. God knows we can’t give much. What He wants is for us to offer it anyway- offer it all.

To the mothers out there- with love and understanding-
Enjoy each and every season.

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every goood work and word.

2 Thess. 2:16-17

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

In Christ’s love,

Bianca