So, if you don’t already know, I’m single. I’ve never been married, and I don’t have any children. Furthermore, if you know me at all, you know that little kids fascinate me. I’m one of those creepy people who will stare at your kids just because they always put a smile on my face. Nothing brings me more joy than when I wave to a little baby and get a great big smile in return. Children are life in its most simple, pure, and innocent form.
Deep down, beyond all the outward fascination, I struggle with jealousy. Oftentimes, I watch a mother take her toddler’s hand to “go find a book to read before bed tonight,” and I get jealous. I want that. I want to take a little mini-me and read bedtime stories to her. I want to watch my son play baseball or score his first goal playing soccer. I want to get lost in an imaginary world, dress up like a superhero and fly around my living room with my little ones. I want to listen as they try to pronounce words like “popsicle” and “spaghetti.” I want to snuggle with my baby as she falls asleep in my arms. I want to mother.
When I find the jealousy creeping in, I have to turn it over to God. He’s faithful, He knows these desires of mine, and I know He will give them to me in His time. And when it is my turn to mother, I want to encourage my children to live a life from their heart, as our authors state. I want to encourage them to be the person God has created them to be—nothing more, nothing less.
But, even if you don’t have children of your own, you do have opportunities to mother not only other people’s children, but other people in general. All you have to do is care about someone, offer a listening ear to that person, and encourage him or her to simply be who God created them to be. Let the following passage from Philippians resonate in your hearts:
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phillipians 2:1-4 ESV
Count others more significant than yourself? Really? I mean, who does that?
Mothers. Mothers do that. Or, at least they should do that. If you haven’t had a mother who sacrificed and loved you the way she should have, I’m sorry. But there is Someone who has filled her role. There is Someone who counts you more than He counts Himself. There’s Someone who died to save you from your sin so that you can live forever with Him in Heaven. That Person is Jesus, and He loves you unconditionally. I love this quote by Jerry Bridges, a notable Christian author. It reminds me of a mother’s love for her children:
“God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.” — Jerry Bridges, Christian author
Right in suit with caring more about others than yourself falls our friendships with other women. Do you have those? How are they? Can you think of a girlfriend who you know would be there for you if you needed someone to talk to, cry to, receive godly advice from, or just goof around with? If you don’t have a friend like that, I encourage you to seek one. My mother told me that when I was a toddler, she didn’t have many girlfriends. When I entered preschool, she had been praying for a good friend to come into her life. God was faithful! Through a fun course of events, He placed another family into my family’s life, and our friendship continues to this day. Not only did we gain a friendship, but this family led my family closer to God. Our faith was strengthened through that friendship.
Do you have a friend who causes your relationship with God to deepen? Does she encourage you to grow and walk closer with Him daily? If not, I pray you seek, invest, and spend time with godly women in your church, Bible study, or even with this group online! Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “iron sharpens iron.” Do you have an “iron” friend in your life? Friendship with like-minded women is crucial to your spiritual growth, and I’ve seen it create accountability and a safe place in my own life. If you already have your “iron” friend or two, then don’t forget to nurture those friendships with love and attention.
Praise Him!
Carissa
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Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for our innate desires to mother, care for, and encourage those in our lives. I pray that we will apply these desires in the lives of our children, future families, marriage, friendships, and even acquaintances. I pray that Your love that dwells in each of us will overflow to those around us. Father, thank You for the gift of girlfriends and friendships. Lord, I pray that our friendships will grow as we all seek to know You and serve You better each and every day. In your Holy Name we pray, Amen.
Your Assignment:
Do you like kids as much as I do? I can’t be the only creeper out there! What does your heart desire with regard to children and a family? Do you feel the desire to “mother” as our authors discuss? In the past, what has held you back from forming friendships with other women? How do you plan on changing that for the future?
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