Mother’s Day is just around the corner. As I thought about how to honor this holiday beyond flowers and card-appropriate sentiments, I realized there was an opportunity to focus on the spiritual mothers in our lives.
The biblical roots of honoring parents are strong, as is Paul’s commandment in the book of Titus, where he instructs older women to disciple younger women in the church (Titus 2: 3-5).
Many of us have wonderful, loving mothers in our lives that we look up to, but they are not necessarily the only “maternal” influence in our daily lives. I don’t know about you, but I have experienced this first-hand throughout my life. So, along with some of my colleagues, I would like to honor the godly women in our lives this Mother’s Day and challenge all of us to be leaders for others. think.
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Spiritual mothers lift us up — Rebecca’s story
Through my decades of attending church and my spiritual walk with the Lord, God has placed amazing women in my path who have taught me, guided me, and loved me when I needed it most. I did.
As teenagers, I struggled to find my place among my peers, my place in my youth group, and my place in the community in which we lived. I had one such teacher who was a youth leader in my church. Cheryl was kind, funny, a good listener, and didn’t mince words when admonishing a giggling group of awkward teenage girls.
Most importantly, she consistently reminded all of us of who we are in Christ. She encouraged us when we felt “less than,” unworthy, and unloved. Cheryl, when we felt our world falling apart, she held us up in the light of God’s great love for us. She helped lead me down a path of trust in Christ that stayed with me even after I went to college.
Enter Karin.
It was 4 hours away from home and I knew a total of 6 people from my hometown. My freshman year of college got off to a shaky start. When my family dropped me off at my on-campus dormitory, I thought, “Now what?”
But it didn’t take long for me to connect with a woman I had known for some time, who had moved to a new city six years before I arrived. I was quickly drawn into the church in the town where the university’s ministry was active, and Karin invited me to dinner after church on many Sundays throughout her first year.
As I faced countless anxieties as a newborn “adult,” my second mother (as I called her) made sure I never felt alone and that I always had a place to land when times were tough. He made it possible for me to secure it. Her hugs, encouragement, and Southern home-cooked meals were the solace my weary heart needed during her school years, career decisions, and the rest of my life.
Sadly, neither of these wonderful women are here yet, but I will spend eternity with them praising God and saying, “Thank you Lord for giving me, thank you for giving me.” I feel relieved knowing that I can tell them that. My life has changed. ”
Spiritual mothers challenge us — Melissa’s story
The summer before my senior year of college, I felt the Lord calling me to a domestic ministry project through Cru. While I expected these months to be filled with growth and fond memories, I had no idea how much they would change the course of my life. But Jennifer did.
Jennifer was Cru’s full-time domestic missionary. During that summer, she led my small group and taught me one-on-one. Jennifer and I hit it off right away, and the time we spent together was often mixed with equal amounts of deep spiritual conversation and hearty laughs. She understood my talents, nourished my weaknesses, and encouraged me to be a leader among my peers that summer.
At the end of the mission project, we discussed our plans to utilize our soon-to-be-earned marketing degrees. She shook her head and slid a thin stack of paper onto the table. It was an application for full-time ministry. “I think there’s something else to you,” Jennifer said. “Don’t fill it out now. Just pray about it.” I accepted the package with trembling hands, followed Jennifer’s prayer instructions, and left it on her desk throughout the fall semester.
Sure enough, with just a few months left until graduation, I felt more confident, picked up a blue pen, filled out an application, and changed the entire trajectory of my life. I never would have done it without Jennifer’s challenge. And I would have missed out on many years of growing faith and filled with wonder on a path that only God (and Jennifer!) could see for me.
Several years ago, the Lord called Jennifer home. But before her Lord did, she left a legacy of challenge and her faith to her five biological children and dozens of spiritual daughters. I feel truly blessed to have been able to be a part of it.
A Spiritual Mother Leads by Example — Alison’s Story
My spiritual mother is truly one of a kind and a beautiful example of the kind of woman Christian women aspire to in Proverbs 31. She is warm, kind, loving and embodies the attributes of Jesus. She received her Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and brings wisdom to many as a wife, mother of seven, and friend. Her faithful commitment to grow each day in Jesus Christ shows that she loves others deeply, cares for the lowly, puts the needs of others above her own, and is faithful to her Father. This is evident in how he remains loyal to the.
When I met Kate, she gave me the push I needed to grow in my faith, “question my doubts,” and ultimately trust and believe the truth that is in God. She and her husband, Dan, invited me and her now-husband into their home for a meal, fellowship, and to show us what a faithful Christian home looks like.
They quickly became family to us and the kind of family we hope to build one day. Not because they are perfect, but because they love God, love others, and live according to His Word. They have a contagious joy that can only come from the Lord.
Kate embodies the teachings of Titus 2:3-5 and has taken time out of her busy life to invest in me. She took the time to mentor me and emphasize the importance of seeking God in the Bible. She introduced me to valuable resources, encouraged independent study of the Word, and prayed for me with all her heart. She provided a safe space to share struggles and always helped me find answers to my many theological questions. Her prayerful support has been unwavering and I am grateful for her presence as I continue to grow in her faith. Kate embodies the woman I want to be: a true spiritual mother.
A Spiritual Mother Appears – Debbie’s Story
I am a mother of two children, but on every Sunday night I am a spiritual mother to about 100 teenagers. I am honored to be a part of this strong junior/senior group. This is my church’s high school group. This is my fourth year as a leader, and I have been able to build relationships and trust with many students.
I realized that trust is something that is built over time. As my students realized that I was consistently present, playing games with them, participating in lessons with them, teaching them lessons from time to time, and then sitting with them and having discussions, they began to see my heart. , that opened their hearts.
When we are apart on a youth retreat, I love when one of the girls asks me for prayers or confides in me about what’s going on in their lives. Sometimes young people prefer to talk to people who are not at home. It warms my heart to think that they will come to me. They know that I will lovingly and non-judgmentally lead them back to the Word.
What they don’t know is that sometimes they were the ones who gave me what I needed. A few weeks ago, some young girls saw me at a church event, ran up to me, hugged me, and asked to sit with me. Little did they know it was exactly what I needed that day.
I love this time of year when I get to be a spiritual mother to not only my kids but 100 of their friends. It blesses me every week.
conclusion
Many of us strive to be spiritual mothers to young women, following the example of others, but do we open our mouths with wisdom or gentleness on our tongues? Do you fear the Lord? Do you seek His guidance in all things? is that so? (Proverbs 31) Prayerfully ask how God would use you in the lives of young women in your church and community.
Who is the spiritual mother in your life? Honor them in the comments section today.
Debby Ryan is a public relations specialist for Christian Care Ministries/Medishare. She is passionate about following Jesus, children, and health. She strives for opportunities to promote all of this.
