How Motherhood and discipleship go hand in hand…
Today, I invite you to join me on a deeply personal exploration of the sacred bond between motherhood and discipleship – a journey filled with laughter, tears, and moments of profound grace.
Motherhood intertwines naturally with the essence of discipleship, each a journey of nurturing and guidance. A mother teaches her child with patience and love, much like how Jesus Christ shapes the path for a disciple. Through a mothers actions and words, she imparts wisdom, not just on how to live, but how to give, listen, and persevere. In both roles, the lessons shared and the bonds formed are the threads that weave the fabric of character and faith. The key is that Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone to both mom and disciple. So, Motherhood, in its profound ability to influence and mold, is perhaps the first and most enduring form of discipleship.
Navigating the Beautiful Chaos of Motherhood:
Motherhood is a journey like no other – a rollercoaster ride of emotions, experiences, and unexpected twists and turns. From sleepless nights to tender moments of connection, we navigate the ups and downs with courage, resilience, and a healthy dose of humor. Through it all, we learn to embrace the messiness of life and to find beauty in the midst of chaos. The best way to navigate the journey of being a mother is relying on our Heavenly Father, because everything He does is to lead and guide us to everlasting joy and peace. He is a God of order, so through the chaos He can bring stillness and order into it. His ways are better than our own ways, His understanding is better than our understanding. (See Isaiah 55:8-9; Proverbs 3:5-6) Because of this truth, why wouldn’t He do that for you- give you His wisdom? For His precious daughter who stewards His spirit children?
Discovering Grace in the Everyday Moments:
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be easy to lose sight of the sacredness of the ordinary. Yet, it is in the everyday moments – the shared meals, the bedtime stories, the scraped knees and broken hearts – that we encounter the profound grace of God. It is through these moments that we learn to lean into His love, His strength, and His unwavering presence..
There is grace in being still.
Completely, and utterly, still.
Take the story found in Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus calms the storm. In the midst of that raging storm, Jesus shows us grace and peace by calming the wind and waves with one simple command: “Peace! Be Still”. This story reminds us, everyone- not just mothers- that even in the middle of the storms of life, Jesus is still very present with us. He is with us, offering comfort, reassurance, guidance, and protection. He IS the “in between”. He is not only the “in between” for us and God- but for the storm itself.
There is another story as well, found in John 4, about the Woman at the Well. The story tells that Jesus encountered a woman, who is from Samaria, at a well and engages her in conversation. His identity is not known to her at first, as He offers her living water and extending grace and forgiveness despite her past and mistakes and her shortcomings. Isn’t that all us, in various different ways? Aching for grace and a renewal from that living water? This is a strong and profound example just how deep the well of Gods love is for us, how badly He wants us. He reaches out in our moments of emptiness and fills our cup to the brim. Brings us sweet relief and joy in our own heartaches, our own pain, our own struggles. He comes to us where we are at, especially us mothers.
Just be still. He is there.
This is the time when I can hear and feel God speak to me through His Holy Spirit. For me, it is so hard to be still. As a mom, there is never an opportunity to be still. Ever. But I have opportunities when I go to the temple. The temple, the house of the Lord, gives stillness and peace from that directly as soon as you go through the doors. Sometimes it takes practice, for me it took practice because I had to let God teach my body and my mind to be still. The efforts of doing this grows stronger with every trip there. I’ve felt so many earth shattering experiences that has HEALED me, and has brought that stillness that a busy mom needs from sleepless nights with my baby and a four year old that wants to roughhouse 24/7. Sometimes we have to make the peace happen, let the stillness happen, even in the chaos around me. Silent prayers are so important for this. But I know this: God knows you. He knows your situation. He has sent a perfect Son to live through this exact moment WITH you. You got this momma (or insert name here). You can do the hard and impossible things. He loves you perfectly.
Finding Strength in Community:
Motherhood can be both exhilarating and exhausting, overwhelming and incredibly rewarding. In the midst of the highs and lows, we find solace and support in the company of fellow mothers who share our joys and sorrows, our triumphs and challenges. Together, we form a community of strength, resilience, and unwavering solidarity, lifting each other up and cheering each other on as we navigate the beautiful messiness of motherhood. For me it is great to have people who may know what situation I’m experiencing, or somebody who may answer questions that tug on my heart or something I’m not familiar with.
As moms, or just in general, people can be a gift and tender mercy straight from God, our Heavenly Father. There were times I had to reach out to my own mother, or some of my mom friends, to help me in a what seemed to me to be a crisis. Because of their wisdom, I was able to figure out what to do for me or my kiddos. As they say, it definitely takes a village to raise a child. I know some of us don’t necessarily HAVE that village, but if you are apart of a ward there are mommas who also don’t have a village. Together, you can make and forge your own village!
•Titus 2:3-5: This passage speaks about older women mentoring younger women, teaching them to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, and busy at home, and kind. It highlights the importance of intergenerational support and guidance within the community.
Proverbs 31:10-31: Although this passage is often interpreted as a description of an ideal wife, it can also be seen as a portrayal of a woman who is deeply embedded in her community, providing support, wisdom, and strength to her family and those around her.
1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." This verse emphasizes the role of encouragement within the community, which is especially important for mothers who may face various challenges in their roles.
Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." Mothers often carry heavy burdens, and this verse underscores the importance of supporting one another within the community, offering help and empathy.
Mosiah 18:9: This scripture emphasizes the importance of comforting those who are in need and mourning with those who are grieving. For mothers facing challenges or difficulties, knowing that they are part of a community that offers support and empathy can be incredibly reassuring.
Alma 17:2-3: These verses illustrate the power of faith and the strength that comes from being united with fellow believers. For mothers navigating the ups and downs of parenting, having a community that encourages and supports their spiritual journey can help strengthen their faith and resolve.
Moroni 6:4: This highlights the importance of being nourished by the word of God within the community of believers. For mothers seeking guidance and wisdom in their parenting journey, immersing themselves in scriptures and being part of a community that shares and discusses spiritual truths can provide the spiritual nourishment they need.
Embracing the Sacred Intersection of Motherhood and Discipleship:
As we journey through the ups and downs of motherhood, we discover that our role as mothers is intricately connected to our calling as disciples of Christ. In the love we pour into our children’s lives, we catch a glimpse of the boundless love that God has for each of us. In the sacrifices we make for their sake, we echo the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. And in the moments of grace and forgiveness we extend to them, we embody the transformative power of God’s mercy.
In the Book of Mormon (Alma 56), the story of Helaman and the stripling warriors stands as a powerful testament to the influence of mothers in shaping the hearts and minds of their children. These valiant young warriors, though inexperienced in battle, demonstrated unwavering faith and courage in the face of adversity. Their strength and resilience can be attributed, in large part, to the steadfast examples set by their mothers. Through their teachings and examples of faith, and never doubting Gods faithfulness, these mothers instilled in their sons a deep-rooted commitment to righteousness and devotion to God. Even through devastating loss by the loss of fathers and husbands. The stripling warriors' unwavering loyalty to their mothers' teachings serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of discipleship within the family unit. Their story exemplifies the profound impact that mothers can have in nurturing and guiding the next generation of faithful disciples.
The first step is by knowing the gospel, through knowing our Savior Jesus Christ.
“And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers KNEW it” (Alma 56:48)
Jesus and mothers:
In the chaos of motherhood, there are moments when our children can be hard and exhausting, testing our patience and pushing us to our limits. Yet, in those moments of frustration and weariness, Jesus offers us His unfailing love and boundless grace. He reminds us that it's okay to feel overwhelmed and that we don't have to have it all together. In our moments of weakness, He offers His strength, lifting us up and carrying us through the storms. And amidst the chaos, there are also moments of pure joy and delight – the sound of children's laughter, the warmth of their hugs, and the wonder in their eyes as they explore the world around them. In those moments, we catch a glimpse of the beauty and goodness that make the journey of motherhood so incredibly worthwhile.
So, yes, motherhood can be hard and exhausting at times, but with Jesus by our side, it is also filled with moments of grace, beauty, and unshakeable love. In the midst of our journey as mothers, it's comforting to know that we are not alone in our struggles and joys. Jesus, the ultimate example of love and compassion, tenderly tends to and ministers to mothers in the most intimate and personal ways. He sees the weariness in our eyes and the weight on our shoulders, and He offers us His gentle yoke and His rest for our souls. In His presence, we find solace and strength, knowing that He understands the challenges we face and walks alongside us every step of the way. Whether through quiet moments of prayer, the soothing words of Scripture, or the loving embrace of fellow believers, Jesus ministers to us with a grace that knows no bounds, reminding us that we are deeply loved, cherished, and valued in His sight.
Examples of Mothers in the scriptures:
Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 1:9-20): Hannah, longing for a child, pours out her heart to God in prayer at the tabernacle. Despite her barrenness and the mockery she faces from others, Hannah’s faithfulness is rewarded when God grants her the desire of her heart – a son named Samuel. This story exemplifies the grace of God in answering prayers and fulfilling the deepest desires of a mother’s heart.
The Faith of Jochebed (Exodus 2:1-10): Jochebed, the mother of Moses, demonstrates extraordinary courage and faith by hiding her infant son from Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew male babies. In an act of desperate love, she places Moses in a basket and sets him adrift on the Nile, trusting in God’s protection. God honors Jochebed’s faithfulness by preserving Moses’s life and using him to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 1:6-18): Ruth, a Moabite woman, shows unwavering loyalty and devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of their husbands. Despite the uncertainty and challenges they face, Ruth remains steadfast in her commitment to Naomi, declaring, “Where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth’s selfless love and loyalty exemplify the grace of sacrificial devotion and companionship.
The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-24): During a time of famine, Elijah encounters a widow in Zarephath who is preparing to make one last meal for herself and her son before they die. In an act of faith, the widow shares her meager provisions with Elijah, trusting in God’s provision. As a result, her jar of flour and jug of oil miraculously do not run dry, sustaining her and her son throughout the duration of the famine. This story illustrates the grace of God in providing for the needs of a faithful mother and her child during a time of desperation.
Eunice and Lois (2 Timothy 1:5): In his letter to Timothy, Paul mentions Timothy’s sincere faith, which he attributes to the influence of his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois. Through their teachings and examples of faith, Eunice and Lois instilled in Timothy a deep-rooted commitment to Christ. Their faithful witness underscores the grace of God in passing down a legacy of faith from one generation to the next.
Sariah’s Faith During Trials (1 Nephi 5): Sariah, the wife of Lehi and mother of Nephi and his brothers, experiences profound trials and hardships as her family journeys into the wilderness. Despite the challenges she faced, including not knowing if she lost her sons on a dangerous mission, Sariah demonstrates unwavering faith and trust in the Lord. Her example of perseverance and resilience amidst adversity serves as a source of strength and inspiration to her family, illustrating the grace of God in sustaining mothers through difficult times.
The Stripling Warriors and Their Mothers (Alma 56-58): The story of the stripping warriors, a group of young soldiers who fought valiantly in defense of their families and faith, highlights the influence of mothers and shipping, the hearts and minds of their children. These courageous warriors, though inexperienced in battle, demonstrate unwavering faith and courage inspired by the teachings and examples of their mothers. Their mothers’ steadfast faith and devotion to God, serve as a powerful example of discipleship, illustrating the grace of God in nurturing and guiding the next generation of faithful disciples.
The Faith of Abish (Alma 19): Abish, a Lamanite woman and servant to the queen, plays a pivotal role in the conversion of her people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite the risks involved, Abish boldly testifies of the miraculous power of God to her people, leading many to experience a mighty change of heart. Her example of courage and conviction reflects the grace of God in using ordinary individuals, including mothers, to accomplish His purposes and spread His message of love and redemption. Though Abish may or may not be a mother, it is a huge example of how our own testimonies as mothers can strengthen those around us- especially our children!
Dear friend, as we journey together through tying the knot between motherhood and discipleship, may we be filled with gratitude for the precious gift of life, love, and faith. May we cherish each moment, embrace each challenge, and celebrate each triumph, knowing that we are not alone on this journey. Let us all strive to lean and trust in our perfect Savior Jesus Christ, that is where we should turn for peace always. For in the company of fellow travelers, in the grace of God, and in the love of our children, we find the strength, the courage, and the joy to keep pressing forward, one step at a time.
Welcome, dear friend, to the adventure of a lifetime.