She surveys a field and acquires it; from her own resources, she plants a vineyard. She works energetically; her arms are powerful. Proverbs 31:16-17

Devotion

When baby girls are born, people are so gentle and soft with them. They even whisper when speaking to them. Of course we are going to be gentle with a baby, but the world has told us girls are fragile and breakable; that they are not equals. God tells us the contrary. She is a force, and she has purpose. 

I am the mother of three women and the grandmother (Mee’ma) of two itty bitty women. When my husband Matt found out our third child was going to be a girl, the first thing he said was, “I’m going to have to mow my own lawn for the rest of my life!” Ha! I said, “Absolutely not! Our daughters will be strong and be able to do all the chores you think you need a son for.” Now that our daughters are grown, he knows better.

We all know the story of creation. God formed the earth from nothing. He made the animals, plants, sun, and stars. He created man from the dust in his own image. He saw there was no helper for Adam, so he put him to sleep and from Adam’s very essence, his rib, designed a woman to fill his void. Adam said, “Finally! Bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). Paradise was then complete. 

Women are needed and have been needed since creation to make God’s plan complete: 

• Designed 
• Called 
• Gifted 
• Necessary part of his plan; made as equals in value and worth to God. 

The Holy Spirit dwells in both men and women. To play different roles but all for the kingdom. "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God who activates everyone directly. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good," (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

The strength given to Eve is hard to comprehend. She was the very first mother and the first to bear the pain in childbirth. No one went before her to show her the way. No other mothers, women, or friends were around to help. She was the first mother to lose a child—and worse, to have her child murdered by one of your own—and then he was sent away from her and hidden from the Lord’s presence. I have to believe that even though not all women give birth, women still mother where and when needed. God created Eve with attributes to mother and the strength it takes, before she ever became a mother. He equips us with the strength and care we need whether we are aunts, sisters, neighbors, teachers, step mothers, coaches, pastors, or in whatever capacity God has entrusted us with a child or person needing a woman's specific nature. And even when we have the effects of original sin, as we are told in Genesis 3:16, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception [sometimes fruitless and abortive]: in pain you shall bring forth children…” In his grace, we are gifted by his perfect design a nature to “mother” others. 

The strength of a woman is unparalleled, whether she does or does not have children or whether she has or has not given birth. The definition of a biblical mother is one who binds the family together, holding them together individually and collectively through her love and actions. There is no rule that this biblical mother has to be biological. What a strong force of nature to love like no other. Beautifully broken, faithful, unimaginably brave. With love, words, works, wisdom, and discipline, she binds her family together and fills the void. "God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day" (Psalm 46:5).

Women endure the impossible. So as we come upon Mother’s Day, let us celebrate the strength of all women. Let’s celebrate those who have the nature to nurture. Let’s celebrate the daughters, and wives, and pastors, and coaches, and friends who bind us together with their love.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, we come to you today with thanks for the women and mothers in our lives. We thank you for your creation of such strength and beauty. We ask for your comfort for those who have lost children and lost mothers. For those who hunger to be mothers and those who have broken relationships with their mothers or children. We ask for your forgiveness and reconciliation when we fall short. We love you God, we praise you, and we honor you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Michelle Brock
Program Coordinator - Crossings Community Center 

Resources

• Listen to Thank God I Do by Lauren Daigle. 
• “My mother said if you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will end up as the pope. Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.” Quote by Pablo Picasso

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