Peggy Boldizsar Nunley

This weekend we will celebrate the joys of ‘Motherhood.’  Flowers will be bought, cards will be given, and gifts will be received. Today, though, I would like to talk to you about the ‘other’ side of being a mom. 

First,  let me say, I LOVE being a mom. I love the snuggles, the kisses, the big eyes staring at me in excitement!  There is nothing  like when you hold that first little one in your arms after laboring for 9 months and realizing – WOW – THIS WAS SOOOOO WORTH IT! 

Now, there are ‘moments’ that I don’t love.  We have ALL experienced these – right?!  Vomiting 🤮 in the night, endless whining, sibling fighting, or the infamous,  never ending, “MOM!!!”  Look at me, look at me, look at me…., endless repeating, at the EXACT MOMENT you’re trying to relax, read, or engage in a meaningful conversation with another adult!

But there is a side to “Mother-Hood” that I don’t hear talked about very much. Actually, it has very little to do with raising kids – well…… that is, biological kids. 

When the first male and female were created they were commissioned by God to “Be Fruitful, Multiply and Fill the earth, Subdue it, and Rule.”  (Genesis 1:28)

Let’s look at that word ‘Multiply.‘  Many think it’s a license to have as many kids as you can. I would disagree, at least in the biological sense. Now, don’t be offended if that’s your stance. We all have different takes on our interpretation of scripture. However, I would just like to offer another thought today. 

The purpose behind man and woman being commissioned to ‘Multiply’ was two fold. One, because ‘it’s not good for man to be alone.’ (Genesis 2:18)  We were created for community, “a hood’ so to speak… 

From the beginning God designed us to come together as one. To unify under the banner of His glory and love. To show in our ‘togetherness’ the beauty of His creation.

Second, man and woman were commissioned to ‘Multiply’,  to ‘fill the earth with His glory‘. ( Isaiah 43:7) As Image Bearers of God, we were CHARGED with multiplying His Glory and Image to the ends of the earth. In fact, we see a ‘re-commissioning’ of this in Matthew 28:19-20, when Jesus tells us to ‘Go and Make Disciples.’  Notice, He didn’t say ‘Go and Have Babies!’  Lol!!

As a mom, I’ve come to understand how important this ‘other side’ is on how I parent and love my children well. 

The definition of Mother is to ‘bring up with care and affection’. It’s a verb. Meaning, it requires ‘ACTION’. ‘Hood,’ means community And/or covering. 

So we are to provide a: GODCaring, GODComforting, GODCovering, and GODCommunity to those we bring up physically & spiritually. 

This sounds A LOT like what the Holy Spirit has done for each of us who are in Christ. He Births us, Comforts us, Holds us, Equips us, Covers us, and Connects us to Community. 

The ‘mantle’ a woman carries is a reflection of the attributes of God that the Holy Spirit displays to the world through His church. The #Mom-Hood is a physical picture to the world of God’s love, affection, refuge, and community. 

This weekend as you celebrate a Mom, a Mentor, a ‘WOMAN,’  remember the weight of the ‘mantle’ each one carries.  Remember that it’s not just those ‘Moms’ with biological children, but any “WOMAN” that ‘Mothers’ the lonely, the orphan, the broken, the hungry, and any person who needs to experience that GODComfort, GODCaring, GODCovering and…… that GODCommunity. 

Remember, if you’re a “WOMAN” reading this, that the ‘other’ side to ‘Motherhood,’ is “YOUR” calling to ‘Multiply’ the gospel through “YOUR” God-given attributes and influence to a watching world (your babies included)….. all the way to the ends of the earth! Happy ‘#Mom-Hood’ Day!