A CONNECTION THAT NEVER BREAKS
READ: Proverbs 22:6
CHALLENGE: Grow and be your best and where you fall short, let God’s grace shine through you.
Let’s dive right in! We are going to be bouncing around as we look at a few wonderful examples of mothers and motherhood in the bible. My Challenge for you is a different one, what we’re about to explore may be fulfilling, encouraging, or even challenging—but in every area, our goal should always be growth. Strive to be more like Jesus every day, and when you fall short, let God’s grace shine through you. Because people are watching and listening, especially your children. Now don’t tune out, gentlemen—this challenge isn’t just for moms. There are some good golden nuggets in here for us too, so grab a notepad and let’s get started.
Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
- A Mother’s Guidance
As We were traveling down the highway one of our children asked Courtney why are there so many signs? Her response to him was there are many ways that you can go. This is where we have the choice to show our child the appropriate route they should take using the Bible as our Guide. Let it lead and influence you and in return lead your children.
Now many of you may think well I have a child in 18 years my training is done. Well, many seasoned Moms have told me differently. Once a mother you are always guiding your children, you are just at a different point of influence in their life. You never stop thinking, praying, caring, encouraging, sacrificing, and loving your children. It never stops.
Those with younger children it is very crucial to pour into a solid foundation for that foundation is what the child will build their life on. Like you giving your hand to help a child to climb up a playset. Your helping hand is getting them up on that solid foundation. This isn’t just for mothers with young children either. This is for all of us Grandparents, Great grandparents, friends, and teachers. When you have time with a child pour into them. Maybe it’s serving at Jr. Church or VBS or simply a grandmother coming over to read a book to your child before bed.
With this, Children have questions. Many questions. You will be paraded by the curiosity of a child. My son asks my wife all the time a whole parade of questions, “do I have school? No, does Maddy and Eli? Yes, Do I have library? No, so I get to stay home!?!” it just goes on and on and this is exhausting but this is where we show them patience and not scolding… For you want to build that relationship with the child so they can grow and come back to you when they are old to ask those deeper life questions.
As they get older Mother in-laws may come into play. Mother in-laws have great guidance as well. A great example of this is Naomi and Ruth.
Ruth 2:22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.”
This is great guidance from one widow to another widow. Ruth is a foreigner in this area and Naomi cares for her, and in
Ruth 3:1-3 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.
Naomi is encouraging her because she knows that she can’t continue to help her and she wants to see her prosper. Boaz is a guardian-redeemer for this family. Long story short Boaz Marries Ruth through this marriage down the line comes King David and then Jesus the Savior of the world. It’s good to listen to Mother in-laws…
When mothers are saying these things, they want you to grow to your best. My mother would say “I only want what is best for you.” and my sister… I won’t say which one was guided with “You are who you hang around with” and my mother and her used to fight about what she wore… my mom would say how you present yourself is how people see you, and my sister would reply, I don’t care what other people think. but she gets it now because when someone told her they had no idea she was a Christ follower. She understood, and it hurt because she realized how she acts, how she dresses represents who she is, it represents her family and most importantly how she represents Jesus as a follower of His. Many times, I look back and now understand why mom did the things I thought were stupid then…
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
This brings us to our next point.
- A Mother’s Faith
A mother is continually persevering and sacrificing for her children in faith that God will provide. Let’s look at a mother who did exactly this jump with me to
1 Kings 17:10-12 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
Remember this is the time of a drought, and we don’t understand droughts too well around here but in a drought no water means no growth or food. This Mother has to feel like a failure for her, as a single mom cannot provide for her child but this one last meal. She is going to prepare it and then die with her son. Then in
1 Kings 17:13-15 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ ” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
This single parent has practically nothing to her name and she has the choice to either believe in faith and do as Elijah said and feed him FIRST or go in disbelief and hoard what little she has and die hopelessly. Faithfully she did as
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
She couldn’t see what was going to be the outcome she had to take this step of faith and trust this man who supposedly was speaking from God and needed some water and bread. But as a mother she did as Elijah asked and made him bread but with faith, she believed that the flour and oil would not run dry until it rained. Because of her faith God provided so she could continue to sustain and live. Now we in the same sense have to trust that God has a plan for us and provides for us.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
As children sometimes we don’t get it. We are just like children at the dinner table you are telling them to sit down multiple times… Unless that’s only in my household. In my mind we want to make popcorn after dinner, but we can’t with this behavior. So, we decide not to because we don’t want to encourage disobedience. So, we give sacrifices so that hopefully properly training up the child we will be able to enjoy the blessing of good and obedient children.
Proverbs 10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
Now this brings us to our next point.
- A Mother’s Hardships
Mother’s Day is a time of celebration, but for many, it also brings quiet hardships… Maybe its grief from losing a mother or child, or the pain of infertility, or it’s a wayward child, or maybe a strained relationships with a child or parent, or it’s just the exhaustion of being single mother. Whether you’re rejoicing or hurting today, know this… that God sees every hidden ache, honors every act of love, and extends grace to every heart because motherhood, in all its forms, is deeply valued by Him.
How do I know this? I know of a mother who felt abandoned and desperate, and the bible gives us a view of how God feels towards this woman. As this woman, Hagar was cast out into the desert with her son Ishmael. She felt she had nothing as she ran out of water and was unable to watch her son die. But God was there in her despair and provided. In
Genesis 21:17-18 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
Here God heard the boy crying and again God hears this and has compassion for he knows her by her name and knows the pain and struggle she is going through. For she has a relationship with God, if you recall what was the name that Haggar gave to God earlier Genesis 16 when she became pregnant with Ishmael? El Roi Because He is the God who sees me.
Jesus understands hardships of dealing with a wayward child, one that is just living like the world. Because of time I’m going to paraphrase it, but you can read about this story in Luke 15:11-32.
Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons. One day, the younger son asked his father for his share of the inheritance. The father agreed and gave it to him. Not long after, the son packed everything up and moved far away. There, he wasted all his money on reckless living. Eventually, a famine hit the land, and he had nothing left. He got a job feeding pigs and was so hungry, he wished he could eat their food. Then he came to his senses and thought, “Even my father’s servants have food to spare. I’ll go home, admit I’ve sinned, and ask to be treated like a hired worker.” As he was still a long way off as he was returning, his father saw him, ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. The son began to apologize, but the father interrupted with joy. He told his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and sandals for his son. Then he ordered a feast, saying, “My son was lost, but now he’s found!”
In this parable, Jesus powerfully reveals the heart of the Father—a heart full of mercy, patience, and unconditional love. We’ve all fallen short of God’s glory, wandering into sin and selfishness, yet the Father never stops watching, never stops longing, and never stops loving. Even while we were lost in reckless living, He was waiting with open arms, desiring our return continuously looking for his son, but never forcing it.
For parents of wayward children, the pain of silence can be overwhelming… days, weeks, even years without a word. Yet in that waiting, don’t lose hope. Believe in the power of prayer. Keep lifting your child before God, asking Him to open their eyes and stir their heart to return… not just to you, but to Him. The hardest truth is this: the decision rests with the child, and only God can spark the longing in their soul.
But as you pray, hope, and wait… always keep your heart ready. Ready to forgive. Ready to welcome. Ready to celebrate when they finally come home…
Moms who have lost… My heart goes out to you. I can’t fathom the pain that you must feel with the loss of a child, a spouse or a miscarriage. Looking to Scripture there is a mother that has gone through treacherous pain and agony as she watched her son suffer and die.
John 19:25-26 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”
When you consider it purely from the perspective of a mother watching her son suffer and die, it becomes heartbreakingly human and deeply emotional. Mary wasn’t just witnessing a prophesied event… she is his mother watching her child, whom she had nurtured, protected, and loved… Now being tortured and executed in front of her. The pain must have been unbearable. Every ache, every sorrow… She saw it all. And she couldn’t stop it. That helplessness, the ache of love that she can’t intervene to stop it, protect him, or bring him back.
When a child hurts the mother hurts… God sees you and all the issues and heartaches for we live in a fallen world. But good thing we have a God who loves us so much that those in Jesus have a hope. Listen to these comforting words in a day when we will live with God and we will be his forever and
Revelation 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
And the son of God tells us in
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Words have so much power and can impact someone, and we have a great reminder in
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
This leads us to our next point
- A Mother’s Words
A mother’s words have so much power and wisdom that they can give to their children. These words should always be helpful and useful, use them wisely like a builder choosing the materials. You want to build the child up and allow your words to be a blessing to the ones receiving these words. In order to do this your words should be in truth. Now truth, is it easy to always speak the truth? No but it is what the child needs to grow and prosper but season it with grace and love.
Court and I went on a hike in the smokey mountains with the Kids. And they loved it not that they were in a certain place but that they were enjoying time together as a family. As we were walking, the kids were just so excited. They were just exploring and wanting to go this way and that way. And Eli, he would literally run ahead, and then he’d come back, because Courtney’s calling him, and then he’d run ahead again, and next thing you know, he’s dipping off on this trail going every which way, and he says “oh, here’s a trail,” and he just goes and veers off into that trail… And my wife, in her words of wisdom, said to him, Elijah, just because there’s a trail does not mean that you have to take it. Those words are so powerful in the growth and prosperity of the child. In life, we’re constantly presented with choices… different paths, opportunities, and distractions. Spiritually, not every open door is from God, and not every trail leads to His purpose. Some trails look exciting but take us away from His will.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
God’s path may be narrow (Matthew 7:13–14), but it’s the one that leads to life. Just because a trail is there, it doesn’t mean it’s yours to walk. Wisdom is knowing when to stay on the path God laid out for you, even when other trails look tempting… Powerful and impactful words of a mother.
My wife and I are in the phase where our children will be in the van driving and one of them will ask a question and you answer it and again another question comes the same question… And we answer it again. The reasons why they are doing this is A. they are either not listening or B. just not getting the answer they want to hear. Either way our answer is going to stay the same true answer we always will give and all along with my wife and I on the same page with the same answer.
Theres so much great solid advice that a mother says that impacts the child through generations. One I heard was that whenever the child received a new Bible their mother wrote in it… “Dusty Bibles make for dirty souls.” This has rendered with him all these years of a mother’s words displaying just the power that is in this bible to keep us along the right path. Many statements my sisters and I remember as a child that still render in my mind and heart are.
“Patience is a virtue”—especially in today’s world where Google has us spoiled enough to expect answers faster than we can finish asking the question. My mom used to tell us go get the encyclopedia… And I didn’t care that much.
“You work with what God gave you.” Means making the most of your own unique gifts, circumstances, and limitations… trusting that what you have is enough for your purpose or calling. Instead of wishing you had someone else’s abilities, background, or life
“You didn’t come with a book of instructions”—and I never truly understood what that meant until I had kids of my own. Now I’m out here Googling, praying, bribing with snacks, and wondering if bedtime is more for them or my own sanity.
“I didn’t raise a quitter” This one was hard. I remember in boy scouts my old scout master said once you turn 16 getting your eagle rank will become a lot harder because of the 3 G’s… Yea whatever but then I turned sixteen and I was consumed with gas a girl and gears. I wanted to keep racing, not boy scouts. But my mom told me I didn’t raise a quitter, and you can’t quit… So I stuck it out and today you are looking at a Proud Eagle Scout that I am glad she pushed me to finish what I started.
“You can always talk to me” or “I am always here for you” These words of remembrance are so inviting and comforting that if and when I need help or advice I know I can always go to her.
Your words as a mother have strong influence. Look at
John 2:3-4 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
Here is a concerned mother who must be close to the bride and groom, so she expresses her concern to Jesus. He in response tells her it isn’t time for me to show who I really am. Then Mary says In
John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Mary’s request reveals the depth of her relationship with Jesus—one built on years of trust, intimacy, and unwavering faith. She doesn’t beg or explain; she simply states the need, knowing He won’t fail her. The power of this moment isn’t just in what she says here, but in everything that’s been said and lived between them throughout His life. Their bond is so strong, so rooted in love and understanding, that she’s confident He will respond—and He does, not just because of the need, but because of the relationship… Is your relationship with your child being built in such a way that they’ll trust your voice, your wisdom, and your presence even when you’re not explaining everything… just like Mary did with Jesus? If not… it’s never too late to start. With this Love brings us to our resting conclusion which is
- A Mothers Love
The world isn’t always loving to moms and even can be confusing. As my sister, a somewhat new mother is learning the ropes, was working and had her daughter with her. A lady came in and saw her daughter there and watched her a little and was asking questions when her daughter began to cry. She didn’t pick her up and the lady goes “oh how can you stand to listen to her cry she just wants her mama.” So, she then went and picked her up only to have the lady then turn and say, “oh you’re going to be spoiled.” She was astonished she thought what does she want me to do then? Motherhood is not easy… but the beauty is, you’re not alone. As a church, we’re part of the body of Christ, and many parents are walking the same road. That’s why we’re here to support each other in Christ. We also have upcoming moms’ meet-ups—a space to connect, share, and walk through the highs and lows of parenting together. Get Connected.
Motherhood doesn’t end when your child grows up, moves out, or even pushes you away. It’s a calling that continues through every season—through joy and heartbreak, silence and laughter. A mother’s love is relentless, faithful, and rooted in grace—similar to God’s love for us. So, are you guiding your child with love and truth? Are you being faithful in prayer, even when they seem far or just have been praying for so long? Don’t give up! Are your words building them up—pointing them to hope, purpose, and identity in Christ? Are you nurturing a relationship that doesn’t just correct, but connects? Because motherhood isn’t a moment in time… it’s a ministry. And it never stops. Keep loving. Keep leading. Keep showing up.
Because they might not always say it, but your faithfulness is shaping their future. And just like at the dinner table, when you make a very nice meal, and they don’t seem to appreciate it and say thank you, but you just continue to be there for them, because it really does show and matter… You matter so much. And I want to take this time just to say thank you to all that you mothers do. And I praise God for you. As a thank you, please enjoy a beautiful tulip on your way out. Happy Mother’s Day!