10 May A Different Kind of Mother’s Day Message

I remember exactly where I was sitting, a few decades ago, on the day Psalm 27:10 struck my heart, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” Now, my parents did not forsake me. Not at all. But I remember looking at that verse and thinking—they didn’t abandon or forsake me, but they also did not teach me the spiritual truths I know now…things I wish that I had known, and felt I should have been taught as a kid.

Mothers and fathers are imperfect people. No matter how well they do their job, parents fall short in different ways. Many have been absent, or have simply not done their job—and God certainly knows that. I have shared my story here and here of grace and healing as my mother and father did the best they could with what they knew. But when I read that Psalm as an established adult, I knew that I was still lacking; that there were still ways I needed “parenting,” but that they couldn’t go back and reparent me (nor did I desire that!). So what was I to do? That’s when I understood what King David wrote—The Lord will take me in. Some translations say, “…the Lord will take me up” (or adopt me). This psalm reminded me that God will never forsake or abandon me; I can trust in His unfailing love and acceptance, wisdom and guidance, to be there for me all the time, all of my life. I realized then, and sill do today, that God is the only one who can reparent and reprogram me with what I wish I’d known— and still need to know. He will redeem the forsaken areas from my childhood, and he will redeem the parts of me that need healing, maturity, and completion. Only God can make up for my then, and give me what I need in my now.

It only takes one person to turn a family line around.

Long before I met John, as I was studying nations, generations and descendants in the scriptures, I began looking at my own family line. I went back to my great-grandmothers on both sides but mostly focused on my mom’s side. As I was writing down things I remembered and observed, a pattern emerged—I noticed a family line of domineering women (Genesis 3:16). It hit me like a ton of bricks.

My first thought was, “Hey, I’m next, unless I get this thing right.” I was not very far along in my faith at that point in my life, but the Holy Spirit had opened my eyes. That’s when I asked the Lord to re-parent me and reprogram me… and to make me the woman of God that He had created me to be. The Lord began showing me in scripture what it looks like to be a Godly woman, a Godly wife, and a Godly mother. I wanted to stop the generational iniquity of control, manipulation, and domination first in myself, and then in others who may come after me. I praise God that the hope of Christ and His redemptive nature grabbed a hold me!

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

–Deuteronomy 7:9

Something to Think About

What are you doing with all that Bible study you’re doing?

I’ve never given birth to a child, but I sit here this morning, thanking God for the children He’s gifted me, and blessed my life with. Luke, Christin and Joe, Adriene, Adair, and Josie— are all gifts of children I received when I married John. And then there are the spiritual children—daughters in Jesus— I’ve had the joy of helping to raise up in their faith; helping them to know Jesus, love Jesus, and follow Jesus…and by His Spirit, to become the women God created them to be. We look at God’s Word together, and learn how to walk it out together in the everyday circumstances of real life. Lots of scraped knees, broken hearts, and tears; tons of victories, joys, and eyes wide open with awe of God; and lots of motherly prayer and pride in watching them take steps of real, solid faith.

I’m a very imperfect spiritual parent, and I’m astounded that the Lord keeps giving me more children. This is the fruit that lasts, y’all. This is everylasting spiritual success: true eternal legacy that goes on and on, long after we’re gone. I can say that without being prideful because it’s the work of the Holy Spirit, and the fulfillment of Jesus’ command to “Go…and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19-29). But ya gotta sign up for it. Just do it. You’ll be so glad you did! Don’t keep all that Bible study to yourself… invest it! Somebody out there is praying for a spiritual mother like you!

“Your greatest accomplishment may not be something you do, but someone you raise”
~Andy Stanley

Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the LORD. Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! Isaiah 54:3-4

One More Thing

I know, I know—this is an unusual “Mother’s Day” message. But I encourage you to stop, look and listen—really pay attention to what the Holy Spirit prompts in your heart when you read God’s word. It is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It shows us where to go. And, God’s Word shows us what’s going on in us. Read Psalm 139:23-24 and ask God to make you aware of any area of your life, your family line, that needs to be reparented or reprogrammed by him. God is in the business of redemption!

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
–Psalm 139:23-24

Until next week— don’t forget that you are greatly and dearly loved by The King! And let’s live our beautiful, ordinary lives like women who believe it!

I love you, and Happy Mother’s Day!
xo – P♥️