The Call of a Spiritual Mother

 Our week began with a celebration of Mothers and has journeyed through various thoughts and reflections by our DFF writers on what it means to be a “spiritual mom”.  For me, spiritual mothering is something very precious.  Because for me, being 31, single with no kids, it’s the only way, for the moment, I get to be a part of this whole mothering thing.   

When I was in my twenties, watching all my friends get married and have babies, I sometimes wrestled with contentment, feeling at times like I had been benched.  There I sat, looking at God all doe-eyed and hopeful, “Put me in coach, I think I could be good at this mothering thing!” At some point in this season, I came across these gems:

“Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman 
than of her who has a husband” Isaiah 54:1

The verse from Isaiah encouraged me, though it speaks of the coming promise to Israel, it reminds me that I serve a God who likes to take the barren areas of our lives and bear great fruit. What I began to see in my life was, even though it wasn’t my season for having my own kids, God had provided an opportunity as a missionary to love on countless kids.  I was pouring my life into far more kids than I could have, if I were raising my own family at that time.  And he began to shift my heart to an attitude of thanksgiving as I meditated on that scripture.

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” Psalm 145:4

 This second verse inspired me with the call on each of our lives to tell the next generation about who God is.  I believe we are each called to be mothers and fathers to the next generation and that when we begin to walk fully in that calling as a body, the church will bring healing and salvation to many.  So many are hungry for someone to come alongside them and speak wisdom and truth into their lives - to nurture and to love - and simply be present in the journey.

May God reveal to each of us, the people He has placed around us to mother or father deeper into the Kingdom. And for those of us hungering for spiritual parents or mentors, I pray that God brings those people into our lives and highlights them!