I may have just coined a new expression:  the gift of nurturing.  I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone use this exact phrase, but as I was meditating this morning, this phrase came into my mind.  I was pondering the depth of the words in Romans 8:38-39 and my mind was drawn to how we come to understand God’s Word beyond just what the dictionary definition of the words mean. It is through the teaching and discernment given by Holy Spirit that our hearts and minds are opened to receive understanding of divine truths.

Holy Spirit embodies the ultimate gift of nurturing.  His attributes are wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, compassionate comforter, fortitude, piety, and reverence for God, and is our spiritual umbilical cord connecting us to God, being the very presence of God with us.

Holy Spirit is the perfect role model for mothers.

Holy Spirit Teaches us.  “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, in your hearts, so that you don’t need anyone to teach you what is right. For he teaches you all things, and he is the Truth, and no liar; and so, just as he has said, you must live in Christ, never to depart from him.”  I John 2:27

A good mother teaches her children, recognizing that it is just as important to nourish their minds and souls as it is to feed them physically.  She teaches them wisdom by her example. She teaches them right from wrong, what is true and what is not, and how to recognize the difference.  She teaches her children about The Truth, who is Jesus, their Savior.

Holy spirit comforts us:  “But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me*—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you.”  John 14:26

All children run to their mother for comfort when they have a “boo boo”, even those whose mother does not fulfill their need.  When they art hurt, whether physically or emotionally, they seek out the comfort of their mother’s arms. Just their touch sooths the body and soul.

Holy Spirit dwells with us:  “And he has put his own Holy Spirit into our hearts as a proof to us that we are living with him and he with us.”  I John 4:13

The soul connection between a mother and her child is unexplainable outside the understanding of spiritual things. The child comes from the mother’s body, and even when we are grown and distanced, even when our mother has passed from this world, we feel her spirit deep within us all of our days. So much of our emotional security and sense of safety comes from knowing our good mother will always be there for us. She never really leaves us. (Sadly, the opposite is true also; those who have not been nurtured by a loving, good mother lack this cocoon of safety and security until they come to know Jesus as their Savior.)

Holy Spirit intercedes in prayer for us:  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

Good mothers intercede on behalf of their children. They petition God for all that their children need. They pray that they will establish their own relationship with Him in order to be part of the eternal family. Good mothers intercede for their children with physical persons when necessary to bring justice and mercy to their children.

Holy Spirit builds faith in us:  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”  Ephesians 2:8

The greatest way to teach a child the reality and benefits of faith is by example.  Good mothers live by faith; their strength to carry on in difficult times, in confusing moments of parenting, and when they and/or their children are treated unjustly, comes through faith in God.

Holy Spirit calls out our giftings and purpose to us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

A wise mother looks for and discerns the talents and passions of their children.  She gently guides them in ways that will nurture and grow skills in developing ways for them to answer God’s calling on their lives. Most importantly, she helps them see themselves through God’s eyes so that they accept their identity according to who God says they are.

Holy Spirit enables us to receive and to give love:  “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  Romans 5:5

As time on this earth spins ever faster and faster, our culture gets further and further removed from love. Our nation is so filled with hate now.  Mothers need to be filled with Holy Spirit and to pray for their children without ceasing in order for their children to navigate this world with any hope of love.  God is love, and all love comes from Him.

Paul sums up this amazing love of God that is almost too big to comprehend- the love that Holy Spirit has poured into our hearts- in this way “ …In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:37-39

This was my mother’s favorite scripture. She depended on the truth of these words her whole life. My mother was a blessing and a gift to all her children, and the generations that came after. Even after her passing, her legacy reaches and blesses the newest generation of her descendants.  So, what made her life so impactful?  What was it about her that made her the “perfect mother” insofar as a human can be perfect in any role?

I would say it was because she had the gift of nurturing.  It was because she was filled with the Holy Spirit and allowed him to dwell in her and download all the nurturing gifts of his character. To her, the most important role of her life was to mother- to nurture- her children physically, emotionally and spiritually, as well as anyone else’s children who needed physical and spiritual nourishment.

Motherhood is the most sacred assignment we women have been given. It most certainly is not easy, but it is by far the most rewarding.  As Jesus followers, we have the aid and blessing of the fruits of the Spirit.  While these gifts are available to all believers, including men and to women who may never be called to be mothers, these gifts are golden for mothers.  Building and maintaining relationships with our children are greatly enhanced if we receive the gifts spoken of in Galatians 5:22,23.  The NIV version that many of us have memorized says it this way:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control… “

I love how The Passion Translation puts it, reminding us of it’s connection to God’s great gift of love.

^“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

joy that overflows,

peace that subdues,

patience that endures,

kindness in action,

a life full of virtue,

faith that prevails,

gentleness of heart, and

strength of spirit.

Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.” – Galatians 5:22,23

Today is Mother’s Day.  Whether this brings a smile to your face or fills you with grief depends on your personal life experiences.  If you did not have a nurturing mother and are still feeling wounded from the days of your childhood, the good news is that the nurturing your soul needs can be found in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Worship at the feet of Jesus, inviting Holy Spirit to come and minister to you, and he will provide all the nurturing for which you hunger.

If you are a mother, and desire to be the best mother possible to your children, worship at the feet of Jesus and invite Holy Spirit to download his nurturing attributes to you, and empower you to nurture your children in every way they need, and in all ways pleasing to God. Pray and ask to be given the fruits of the Spirit.

And to those of you planning on becoming a mother, or who may be with child for the first time now, TODAY is the day for you to begin a daily routine of praying for your child that God’s will would be done in their life. Today is the day that you begin praying daily for you to be given wisdom, discernment, patience and strength to be the mother that God created you to be.

If you are not a mother, God still desires to give you insight, passion, and compassion, to nurture the children he places in your path. Our culture is full of children who need to be shown the love of God and nurtured in ways their own mothers cannot or will not do.

If you are a mother whose children have grown, allow Holy Spirit to lead you to mothers who are struggling and need mentoring, good mothering role modeled for them, and in need of emotional and spiritual support.

If you have benefitted from having a mother who had the gift of nurturing, be sure she knows what a precious and valuable gift she gave you and thank her.  Thank God every day as long as you live for giving you such a precious blessing as a wonderful mother.

Happy Mother’s Day!  I bless you in the name of Jesus.