Mother
Week Forty-Eight
November 23, 2025
A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
— John 16:21-22 (BSB)
What thoughts come to your mind when you hear the word, “mother”? Do any of these thoughts hit the mark for you: “A mother is someone who brings comfort” or “A mom is someone who makes everything ok”? How about this, “A mother’s joy overshadows a child’s sorrow”?
Many mothers experience pain during childbirth, and I wonder if there is intention behind this. I wonder if this is why mothers are so good at bringing comfort; has God wired them this way? A mother knows what it is to travail, to suffer intensely; they’ve seen that the presence of pain isn’t a shut door to the arrival of joy. Please forgive me if I’m wrong in my thinking, but I doubt that any mother after delivering her newborn child into this world, takes the little treasure into her hands, looks down at him or her, and thinks, “Well, that wasn’t worth it!”
In our scripture today, Jesus uses childbirth —call it the induction into motherhood — as a way to illuminate hope to his hurting disciples. We shall forget all our pain when we experience the joy of seeing him face to face. Sorrow may last for the night and pain comes with the pushing, but joy comes in the morning and felicity arrives in the face of a newborn baby. Who but a mother could deeply and experientially understand this? Motherhood, what a wonder.
In Matthew 1:20 we read how the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him not to fear taking Mary as his wife because, “what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” I like the way the Haitian Creole bible translates it; “Paske, pitit l’ap pote a se travay Sentespri”, literally, “because the baby she is carrying is the work of the Holy Spirit.” Mary carried within her womb the greatest gift known to mankind — the Savior of the world. Every pregnant mother carries within her womb a treasure, a blessing from God, and along with that blessing, a deep sense of responsibility.
But mothers are built for this great responsibility; you could say they are “Built Mom Tough.” And unlike the joy Jesus promised to his disciples, that joy which would not be taken away, the joy a mother knows at her baby’s birth will be challenged and tested through the years of that child’s life — through times of shared heartache and struggle and suffering. And I think that’s what makes mothers so special. They are there. In their child’s failings and wanderings, the hope of joy is not dismantled by the pain of suffering, and a mom knows that; she’s been there from the very start.
My wife and our youngest daughter were having a conversation at dinner a few nights back. My wife was explaining how being a parent helps her to understand how God relates to us. She was explaining that her child will always be her child no matter what they do. That’s how a mother thinks, and I think that sums up motherhood pretty well: a mother is a mother always.
Monday
November 24, 2025
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
— Luke 2:19 (NIV)
Imagine the responsibility! You’ve been given the Promised One to raise as your own. His birth has been announced by heavenly messengers proclaiming him as Savior, Messiah, and Lord. Temple prophets speak lofty things concerning him. You marvel, no doubt, maybe even shudder at the onus placed on your shoulders. “Should I spank him? What happens if I lose the child?” There was only one who carried God’s Son, but every mother has carried a treasure in their womb and known the weight of responsibility. I am not a mother, but might I propose to those who are (especially those with young ones), that you do as Mary did and treasure every moment? Ponder, mull over, and re-ponder every event in your child’s life. Time passes too quickly, but the sweet memories you store will tend to your heart assiduously through the years.
In what ways is motherhood a gift? Have you taken the time to ponder the special moments in your child’s life?
What do you think the benefit of remembering fond moments together with your child might be? What might Mary have done with those treasured up memories of her son?
Tuesday
November 25, 2025
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
— 1 John 1:4 (NIV)
What a child recalls of his mother is recalled from the heart. Fond memories of the past burn the image of our mother upon us with an indefatigable impression. Five days before Augustine’s mother Monica was struck with a fatal fever, he and she had a heart-to-heart conversation that was impressed into his memory. Gazing out a window that overlooked a garden courtyard, they spoke to one another of heaven, their shared faith, and answered prayers. The sweetness of their fellowship elevated their spirits to euphonic and heavenly joys. Augustine was a believer at that point and his mother Monica was grateful. Her years of anguish in prayer, pleading, and petition had resulted in her gaining the one thing she desired in this life — to see her son walking in the truth. God had once again seen the weeping of a mother and allowed Monica’s caring heart to see her answered prayer standing before her.
How important is it that we pray for our children? How are prayers offered for our children different from prayers offered for others?
Is it normal to be discouraged at times over where your child might be at? How might prayer help you through that and change your child’s situation?
Wednesday
November 26, 2025
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
— Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
She was born Betsy Holton in Northfield, Massachusetts. Having lost her husband, she was left to raise her nine children as a single mother. But she was not truly alone. Being a godly woman, she turned to prayer for wisdom and patience in providing for and guiding her large brood. One son in particular, her sixth, being stubborn and unmanageable (he was a natural born leader), posed her great challenge. His name was Dwight. He, along with the other eight children, sat under Betsy’s “vim and hard common sense”¹ as she taught the Scripture and hymns to them. Her life and character infused Dwight and would be foundational to the man he would become. You might not recognize Betsy by her maiden name, but you will likely recognize the name of her son, D. L. Moody: evangelist, revivalist, and preacher. Godly mothers are given the opportunity to have a fruitful influence on their children, just as Betsy did.
What is one desire you have for your child or children? What part do you play as a mother in seeing that desire fulfilled?
If you could go back to your early days of motherhood (assuming you are not a younger mother), is there anything you would change? If you are a young mother, is there someone you look up to as a model mother?
Thursday
November 27, 2025
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
— Isaiah 49:15 (NIV)
Ma Barker may not have forgotten her famous crime gang boys, but she certainly neglected her role as a mother to them. Beverly Spearman was the mother of four boys, all of whom were outlaws. She was likely not the mastermind behind the Barker-Karpis gang as Hollywood legend has portrayed her, but she didn’t discourage her sons from a life of crime and, in fact, she likely aided and abetted. There are no perfect parents, and there are those who, like Ma Barker, have failed their children miserably; but God is one we can look to as the perfect parent. Were you raised by a godly mother? Then praise God for her and the example she left you. You are likely where you are today because of her. And know this: whatever your situation, you can always look to God to be there as one who will never forget or neglect you.
How would you describe your relationship with your mother? Are there things about that relationship you wish you could change?
If your mother was not around while you were growing up, was there someone who was there as a mother to you? Describe that experience. How has this affected who you are today?
Friday
November 28, 2025
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her … — Proverbs 31:28 (NASB)
A mother is never just a mother. What do I mean? I’ll use my wife, the mother of our five children, to explain. She’s been a mother, yes, but she’s also played the role of doctor, uber driver, wife, housekeeper, teacher, chef, confidant, and CFO. Let me pause and take a breath. Honestly, realistically, I couldn’t afford to pay the salary she deserves; her annual compensation would be more than I make in five years. Mothers take on multiple valuable roles, and while that is exhausting at times, it is also noble and honorable. And it is more than what a mother does that is valuable; it is who she is that holds the greatest worth and influences her children most. A mother who fears the Lord is to be praised. Can you say yes and amen?
What roles have you played as a mother? What roles has your mother played in your life (maybe even today)?
What are three things you admire in your mother? Would you say your mother has been a strong influence in your life? How so?