As we approach Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my story related to motherhood - not that I have it all figured out because I do not, but that is exactly where the beauty of God’s grace comes into my story. I am not the perfect mother; however, I know the Perfect Father!
Hebrews 12:1-3 has spoken to me differently in various stages of my life, but as a mother, I want and need to start each day, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” This verse is a beautiful reminder to me that as I struggle in the daily grind of raising our children when I call upon my Savior and Lord Jesus for the guidance, direction, and strength to be the mother He wants me to be, He is there interceding for me.
The ultimate job of being a mom is to point our children to Jesus, with the prayer that they would come to know, love, and follow Jesus. As a stay-at-home mom, I am blessed to get to spend each day with our children. One of the greatest treasures is getting to see my children witness God at work in our lives through praying for others; serving and ministering to those He lays upon our hearts; loving others; and seeing His handiwork in the creation of each blade of grass, new leaf, beautiful flower, or fresh fruit or vegetable in our garden. Each of these moments provides an opportunity to point our children to Jesus, and I want to encourage you to seize every opportunity God provides to lead your children to Him. My prayer as a mother is that one day their relationship with Jesus will point others to Jesus as they live out their faith boldly!
When we were expecting our first child, a wise friend shared with me that God loans His children to us as earthly parents for a brief moment, and He desires that we should follow Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child up in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” To all mothers out there, wherever you are in life, let us fix our eyes on Jesus as we instruct our children in His ways. None of us are perfect, and we are not going to get every single thing right every time, but if we point our children to the Perfect Father, He can use us and our families.
Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing of the children you have entrusted to us. I pray that God continues to guide and lead each mom on this journey of motherhood!
- Jessica, The Jones County Campus