Being a mom is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. My life seemed to turn upside down in ways that I could have never imagined for the good and the undeniably not so pretty.
I used to think I was patient, laid back and had some self-control until my kiddos came along and allowed me to see the errors of my thinking.
Being mom is a responsibility that no one could ever have had enough words and explanations to clearly make me understand. It is not until they are in your arms and the reality of them being there does it begin to settle in.
A few years back, I even wondered if I would ever get the hang of this mothering thing. It seems every time I figure something out a new age and stage throws me for a loop.
I have felt the heartbreak of losing children and not quite sure how I was going to recover from the devastation. A heartbreak, no one could ever prepare you for.
Being a mother has made me question so many things about my world that I could have never imagined.
I also never knew that it was physically possible for my heart to grow in love and care for another human being the way it did when I had children.
I believe God always amazes us, as mothers, to show His great love and plans for us through our children. We get to see how a Father loves His children in ways that seem unimaginable.
For instance, I may say to my children, this is classic and I never thought I would say this, are you ready? How many times have I had to say this? Please tell me I am not the only one who says this!
Then I hear a gentle voice whisper to my heart, how many times have I had to tell you? And I am reminded of the grace I have been shown daily.
There are three women in the Bible who were shown God’s grace through their roles as mothers. I love how God’s gift of children is displayed through each story in an unexpected way.
We see that having children is nothing shy of a miracle, it is beyond what we could have imagined and it is a gift and blessing beyond our understanding.
For a woman to not bear children in Bible times was very significant. She would have been looked down upon and there would have been much shame that she would have felt because children were a blessing to the family.
I am not sure that times have changed that much and there are certainly women who struggle with these same issues. I pray their stories bless your heart.
When Sarah, the wife of Abraham, was 91 when she had her son Isaac. I can’t imagine, but let’s imagine the patience and endurance of faith that had to accompany this kind of trial. (Genesis 17 and 18) Even Sarah laughed at the notion of bearing a son at her worn-out age.
So God… gave her (them) a gift beyond what she could see and understand.
Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, desperate to have children but the Lord had closed her womb. That is a tough verse to read, especially if you are in a place where you are struggling to become a parent or never have been.
Hannah cried out to the Lord, she promised to give her child back to the Lord for His service. If only she could bear a son her heart could become full and her shame could be put to rest. (1 Samuel 1)
The sacrifice she was making. Can you imagine the day she left him at the temple? The gift she was given was the gift she returned to the Lord.
So God… gave her (them) a gift beyond what she could see and understand.
Elizabeth, with of Zechariah, was well advanced in years and was unable to conceive. God had a special plan for her son. He would point the way to Jesus.
Zechariah was a priest and while burning incense in the temple and offering up the prayers of the people was granted a personal request of he and his wife. An angel appeared to him and his news was followed by a stack of questions. The news, his wife was going to have a son. (Luke 1)
So God… gave her (them) a gift beyond what she could see and understand.
With God, all things are possible. Where our abilities to see and understand end is where God waits for us to be still and allow Him to do His work.
Children are a blessing. They are an opportunity for God to help us see ourselves as His children. They are an opportunity to understand His grace and mercy that are poured out on us in the pursuit to make us more like Him.
If you are struggling, like these moms because you are not able to have children, I hope you are blessed by their stories.
If you have children, I hope you can see how God used these women to help us realize that children are truly a blessing, gift, and miracle delivered from His own hands.
Personal Reflections:
What is the one thing that your children bring out in you that you wish you could stuff away?
What is the thing your children bring out in you that you know is a blessing from above?
If you are struggling like these moms did, what is one thing these women could teach you about God? About yourself?
If you are struggling in having children, what is a piece of advice that you have for ladies with children?
Next week, I hope you will join us again to look at a life that was drastically changed by a mother and how you, too, can make this kind of difference in your child’s life.
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Hannah is one of my favorite "mother stories" of the Bible. Thanks for the linkup, Jaime!
I do love a good woman of the Bible story and Hannah and what she gave to God is beyond words. Thanks so much for sharing, Susan.
Great examples and encouragement of God's faithfulness to (once) barren women, Jaime! I know there are many who struggle with infertility. I'm sure your post will be a blessing!
I am beyond thankful for my mother, Jaime. I appreciate her so much more now that I'm older. We talk several times a week. I love the counsel she gives based on her experience and God's word as well. Thank you for sharing these insights today. I hope you have a fantastic week and may God continue to bless you and yours.
Patience, I don't ever seem to have enough;)
I think Sarah is an encouragement because she was the epitome of patient. I want to be better!
I have too much patience in some areas and none at all in other areas. I need to continue to get better in others. I think some of it is due to my serve ADD but I do need to improve.
Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend.