Godly Motherhood

What is a Godly mother? Growing up I did not understand some of the lessons my mother was trying to teach me. She would always talk about God, which set a standard of godly morals and values at a young age. Countless times I seen her pray, cry, and praise the lord for me and others. I did not understand why she even prayed for people who did her wrong, but it allowed me to see the love of God and what it means to be a Christian. My mother was not perfect, but I can say she demonstrated a Godly mother and displayed the love of Christ. I have been a mother for 4 years; therefore, I am still learning and growing. So please take this blog with encouragement and a word from the Lord of the importance of being a Godly mother.

Today my best friend (Kiera) and I are coming with encouragement, grace, and humility. We do not have it all figured out but as a community we can encourage each other to display the love of Christ from a mother’s prospective.

Being a mother can be tough and, in some cases, you have to be a mother and a father. Taking on two roles can be difficult but with a foundation in Christ, His strength will get you through any obstacle in Life. 

 Here is our take on Godly motherhood:

 

Kiera - I think it is important to establish a foundation from the beginning. Your influence is powerful on your children in so many aspects.

“6 Train up a child in the way he should go, [a]And when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

1.     Proverbs 22:6 – Leading them: Directing children God’s way

As a mother of (3) three, it becomes difficult sometimes and I may not get it right all of the time, but I believe it is important to teach them the ways of the lord by being an example of Christ. A lot of times we as parents may be the only Godly example they see on a daily basis; therefore, if we do not train them, then the world will do it for us. 

2.     Caring and nurturing our child(ren)

I have an 8, 4, and 2-year-old, which requires me to be sensitive to each of their individual needs and personalities. I believe God have embedded characteristics of caring and nurturing in all women but there is a level of compassion and encouragement we have to have to develop confidence and self-worth in our children at a young age. When they fall or mess up, it is our job to lovingly correct them and push them closer to God. When they get older and fall, which they will, then they will reflect back to our example of the love we displayed and connect it to Gods ultimate example of true love.  

3.     Praying for them

Out of three points, this is the most important job we have. We have to pray over our children continuously. 

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

I believe our Children belong to God; therefore, God entrusted them to us. Being a mother is nothing we should take lightly. We should be honored to raise our children, to be conformed to the image of God.  We are here to prepare our children for their destiny, calling, and purpose. Praying for them activates the call on their life. We are not only praising God for our children but praying for them to be the person God has called them to be.

Jessica – I believe being a Godly mother means loving your Children even when they do something wrong or when their choices are disappointing.

1.     Displaying the love of Christ (Parents loving beyond measures) 

The Mother’s love is not conditional based off behaviors but it a genuine love, that despite what was done a mother’s love for their children will never fade. 

 “4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

 When we love our children, we have to understand they will mess up but with our guidance they can learn from their mistakes and we can teach them the ways of the Lord. 

For an example, when I was a lesbian (read about my story) my mother still loved me even though she did not agree with that lifestyle. She never belittled me, kicked me out the house, told me I was going to hell, etc. But she loved me and displayed the love of Christ. It was that same love that pushed me closer to Christ. I could not understand how she loved me despite the lifestyle I was in. I said to myself, “if my mother loves me despite my ways, then surely Gods love for me is unconditional.” She told me what the word (Bible) said about homosexuality, instead of bashing me or judging me. She continued to love me and prayed for me. Don’t get me wrong, she did not stand for some things and she told me her thoughts on those matters, but I respected my mother because I saw her love for Christ and I honestly felt like she cared for me as her daughter. Jesus loves the brokenhearted; therefore, we never know what our children may be going through or maybe have to face at school. The enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10); therefore, with that in mind, we must love our children back to Christ and love beyond measures. 

 2.     Having their best interest 

…“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Our best interest is to set a standard for our children, that within your house they will serve the Lord, which means if they are residing in your home their ways should reflect Christ. When we as parents set the standard of a Christian household, many children will display that standard within their community, school, etc. What you allow in your home, gives them a green light to display the same behaviors when they aren’t at home. Giving them the standards to serve the lord at home develops a Godly mindset of those same moral and values outside of the home. What example are we showing behind close doors?

3.     Praying over them

I personally would not be where I am now if it wasn’t for my mother’s prayers. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). We as parents should always pray over our children for God to place a hedge of protection around them. The enemy can use our children too, he has not respective of persons, he does not care who he tries to kill, steal or destroy. The devil will try to stop our children at a young age to prevent them for following Christ, which is way we should pray over our children daily. 

Read 1 Samuel 1:1–28

Kiera and I both connected with this woman named Hannah in the bible in related to Godly Motherhood. Hannah was one of two wives of a man named Elkanah. The other wife of Elkanah, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah had no child. Hannah desperately desired a child but could not conceive. This story for me displayed a deeper level of faith in God for a desire to be a mother.  In the bible days women were looked down upon when they could not have children. They were considered an outcasted. It is a blessing to be a mother or a motherly figure if you’re not a biological mother. So, Peninnah the second wife of Elkanan taunted Hannah concerning her not being able to have children. Although Elkanah loved Hannah, Hannah just was not satisfied. As a mother, a child is one of our greatest blessings from God. Hannah prayed for God to give her a son, she would dedicate him to God as a Nazirite (a man set apart to serve God. The story ended well for Hannah. God did indeed provide Hannah a son name Samuel. When Samuel was old enough, she kept her promise to the Lord, giving him to the Lord to serve in the tabernacle. 

Kiera: What was intriguing to me about Hannah is that she was a woman of faith. She was devoted to the Lord. In the midst of her barrenness and even being taunted because of it she was persistent in seeking His face and trusting Him! She didn't let her condition keep her from being obedient to what God commanded of her or pouring her heart out to Him. To me that models how important it is to be a mother that seeks the face of God no matter what your unique condition may be and how your obedience affects not only you but your seed as well. God blessed Hannah's obedience

  Jessica: God is so faithful!! Hannah prayed by faith for her desires to be a mother would be quenched. As mother’s we need to petition our prayers to the lord the way Hannah did for our child(ren) and over our child(ren). Hannah gave her son back to the Lord, and we should do the same. I remember giving my daughter back to the Lord while she was still in my womb. My daughter was a unplanned pregnancy but even though she was not planned by me, she was planned by God for a purpose. Children ultimately belong to Christ for a much greater purpose; therefore, let’s not take being a mother for granted. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah1:5). Every single child born has a purpose from the Lord, which is why it is essential to ask God how to prepare our child(ren) for the work He has for them. It is also vital to ask God how to lead and guide them to become the person He desires them to be. Let’s strive to be Godly mother’s with the strength of Christ to carry each blessing (child) birth from our womb because each blessing (child) is well worth it!

 I hope this blog encourages you to be a Godly mother. If you’re not a mother, I pray you be an example of a godly parent, and/or a godly influence to lead children to Christ and not away from Christ. As adults we are the first example Children see and if we don’t set a Godly standard, they will reflect standards of the world. Keep praying and loving on your child(ren) and watch God continue to bless your offspring for generations to come. 

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