When we think of God, we tend to think of God primarily, or perhaps only, as Father.
But the verses listed here illustrate God’s motherly side too.
My Experience as a Mother
I am blessed to have the experience of being a mother. Carrying a child and caring for a child profoundly impacted my life.
I got to witness my son Stephen experience all aspects of life for the first time – the wonder on his face when he felt his first breeze, connecting with our dog and cat and a million other firsts.
This was when my son Stephen was around 12 or 14 months old. He had a good time pulling on my hair. Luckily, it stayed attached!
It wasn’t until I became a mother that I understood the meaning of the kind of unconditional love that you would literally risk your life to save someone. I wouldn’t have thought twice if Stephen had been in danger to save him.
I remember the times when I was really sick. I used to get strep throat a lot as a child. My mother would rock me in her arms in our big rocking chair, comforting me with soothing words. I would comfort my son in the same way.
I also understood the fierce grizzly momma bear protective instincts. When Stephen was on the playground around the age of five, there was a kid that was bullying him and not letting the other kids take their turn on the slide. I stalked over to the kid and said, “Listen you little jerk. If you mess with the red head or don’t let the other kids have their turn, you’ll mess with me.”
His eyes got really big, and he didn’t mess with the other kids anymore. Okay, I’m not proud of that moment! I had to learn that I couldn’t always swoop in and fight Stephen’s battles.
God Fights for Us Like a Father and Comforts Us Like a Mother
But just as Scripture tells us, God comforts us like a mother comforts her child, it’s also comforting to know that God will fight for us. For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13
There’s another verse referencing a mother in Luke 13:34: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
I got to witness this mother hen gathering her chicks. As the hot day transformed into a cool evening, this mother ushered her scattered chicks to find shelter under her wings. This verse came alive and reminded me of these other two:
“Hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 17:8
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.”
We certainly need the Lord to be our Rock, Warrior, Strength, and Shield, but we need the Lord’s comforting side too.
I’ll close with the word, Mother from God Notes – Daily Doses of Divine Encouragement.
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Mother Word from God Notes – Daily Doses of Divine Encouragement
You may use the word Father when you think of Me.
But I want you to think of Me as Mother too.
Only a mother knows what it is like to carry a child in her womb.
There is a special bond of love that can never be broken.
Like a mother caring for her developing child, I care for you. I was with you in your mother’s womb.
Like a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings for shelter, I shelter you from life’s storms.
Like a fierce mother grizzly bear, I protect you from others who wish to harm you.
Like a caring mother, I am ready to comfort you in times of trouble.
I open My arms and, in a mother’s tender voice coo, “There, there. It will be all right.”
I love you with a Father’s love, but I love you with a Mother’s love too.
If you like this post, then you will enjoy my Monday Meditation email with a Bible verse to meditate on during the week along with a short note of inspiration and encouragement. I love hearing from my readers!
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