God’s love for you is great. After Jesus was born and the shepherd came to see the new king, Luke 2:19 records, “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (ESV)
Why did God include those words in the story? Perhaps the verse was specifically recorded and preserved for mothers. God is telling us that He knows a mother’s heart. God knows what we desire and what we sacrifice. God shares with us those moments of motherhood so precious they take our breath away as well as those disappointments that break our heart.
At whatever stage of mothering, we find ourselves, God desires to encourage us. Therefore, when you need encouragement, ask Him for it.
One Sunday morning before I became a mother, I tearfully asked the Lord to encourage me as I struggled with childlessness. Later that same morning at church, my husband and I gathered our elementary age group of children to join the preschoolers for a puppet show. During the puppet show, a tiny unfamiliar preschool girl quietly came to where I was sitting, placed her hand on my leg and looked up at me. She then climbed into my lap, laid her head against me, and placed her hand on my cheek. Throughout the show, the little girl smiled quietly and kept her eyes on me rather than the puppets. When the show ended, the girl silently slipped down from my lap and wandered back to the other preschoolers. Her sweet presence lifted my heart, and I knew immediately God had sent her to me for those moments. . Every Sunday thereafter I looked for the little gift, but I never saw her again.
God knew the love of that little girl would give me hope and remind me that He was aware of my heart and longings. Through the attention and presence of that little girl, God hugged me. He encouraged me. Do not hesitate to ask Him for encouragement. God knows we mothers need such a blessing.
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6, NASB)
