Mothers; Reflections Of God's Love

God created mothers for the special purpose of giving us an earthly example of His heavenly love toward us.  Each stage of motherhood reflects a different aspect of God's love.


THE PREGNANCY...

Even in the womb the mother loves her baby. She knows his every move – she knows when he's awake or sleeping or playing.

This reminds us of how intimately our God knows us. “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:1-5)
 

THE DELIVERY...

Think of how a mother puts her baby’s needs ahead of her own. She’s willing to endure great pain to see her child face-to-face.
 
The same is true with God who endured the great pain of seeing Jesus on the cross so that we will one day be able to see Him face-to-face.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

NURTURING THE BABY...

Think of a mother feeding her baby. It's just the two of them. The mother telling her child how much she loves him as he looks into her eyes with complete love. She cares for his every need.

It reminds us of God feeding us His Word. We can picture our heavenly Father cradling us, telling us how much He loves us, providing everything we need, all the while we look to Him with complete love. “Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees.” (Job 4:4)

 
RAISING THE CHILD...

Notice the mother setting boundaries for her child. Rules are put into place. The difference between right and wrong is taught. She does this to keep her child safe - she only wants the best for him. He rarely understands this though and thinks Mom is out to ruin his fun. But one day it will become clear to him that she has his best interest at heart.

So it is with God who sets boundaries for us as well and, like Mom, is often view as a "bad guy" because we don't understand that He’s only looking out for our safety. But, just like this child, one day we will understand too. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

ALL GROWN UP...

No matter how big he is or how successful (or unsuccessful) he becomes he will always be his mother's baby, she will always love him with all her heart.

And here again we see a reflection of God’s love. He loves you deeply and continually thinks of you (Psalm 139:17-18).  “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
 

“As a mother comforts
O words of gentle worth!
So will I comfort you,” declares
The Lord of all the earth.

He patient is, as mothers are
Who love their children well;
Our faults and failings He forgives;
His mercies—who can tell!