Precious Sisters in the Lord,
Today is Mother’s Day, and as Christian women, regardless of our age, we are all privileged to celebrate motherhood in a different sense—spiritual motherhood. Indeed, even for those who have not yet had children, or may never bear children, spiritual motherhood is our privilege—and our calling.
Consider the specific command we are given by Paul in Titus 2: 3-5. Here it is:
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Notice the particular diction: to be reverent…teaching…encourage. As the Beloved of God, especially chosen by Him for His glory and delight, we can thankfully embark on our high and unique calling to be reverent, to teach and to encourage.
Allow me first to clear up something. When Paul refers to the “older women” this does not mean age, but maturity, particularly, maturity in our Christian faith. I am astounded, Sisters, at the profound, letters that you write, bringing it all home to my heart, allowing me to experience your concerns, your joys and even your pains, then applying Scriptural sensibility to life situations. You may be younger in years, Little Sisters, but you are richly blessed in Christian maturity through your knowledge of the Bible and special applications you continuously make. Good for you—and good for us!
Now, to be reverent should be the passion for every Christian. God is holy, holy, holy. (I keep mentioning that because it keeps humbling, humbling, humbling me.) How else could we stand before God except on our knees or on our face! Our behavior in everything, what we say, what we do, how we respond, should always give glory to God. (Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3: 17) What a wonderful way to participate in motherhood—to reflect our love for God at the supermarket, in our work, when we ask for help or address a problem, how we dress for church, where we go for recreation, what we do in service for God and community! The younger women, those ladies who are beginning to realize their need for God, or who are new in the faith, are watching with wide open eyes. I remember the first Christian church my husband and I attended, where I took mental notes on everything Christian women said or did, so that I would learn to act properly and pleasing to God. What a conviction came my way when the Holy Spirit made me aware that we are all sinners, and that our true and only model should be Jesus Christ! But these sweet ladies already knew that!
Also, in Titus 2, we are called to teach, as well. Some of you may already be teachers in Sunday school or homeschooling or Vacation Bible School. But even outside of these activities, God calls all of us to teach little ones the way that pleases Him. In Proverbs 22: 6, we are told: Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. Spiritual Motherhood is exemplified when we pray for the unborn, the newborn, the tweens and the teens, when we are asked to give advice or counsel to college students or to an engaged couple. Our Motherhood Manual should always be the same—the Holy Bible. What joy it is to see a young person respond well to a situation for the good guidance or warning that we give—all to the glory of God!
Now remember, there is a third admonition for Spiritual Motherhood, and that is, to encourage. Here, we obey God by presenting the Truth of His word to a world that, without Christ as Savior, will perish eternally. When we are confronted by unbelievers and we respond by leading them to the Lord with a word kindly spoken, when we are called to the bedside of a sick person and we read the Scriptures or sing a spiritual song to them, when we visit grieving friends and we place our arms around them and say, “I am here for you”, all of these are only small ways that we can encourage. Women are already designed to be nurturing, comforting, understanding and giving. Now that is a great combination of God-given qualities to make us encouraging Mothers!
To my special Sisters who long to be married and have a family, who are married and are unable to start a family, or whose children are estranged from them, allow me to be your encouraging Mother. Trust in the grace of our Sovereign God Who knitted us in our mother’s womb. Believe that He Who is all-knowing and all-powerful will finish His work in you, for His glory—even if it is not as we would want. Be ready in all seasons to serve Him as teacher and encourager to women and children who need to draw close to Jesus Christ, our all in all.
And so, Dear Sisters, if you believe Mother’s Day is only for women flanked by little ones—or big ones who return to the nest—reflect on Titus 2, and celebrate a Happy Mother’s Day—every day!
Mimi