A Word to Get Moms Through

By Mom Mentors

A beautiful quality about the Bible is that it speaks to us where we are, touching us with personal meaning. We asked our Mom Mentors how God’s Word speaks into their lives day-to-day. You might find glimpses of your spiritual life here, too.

Q: What is the Bible passage that speaks the most into your life these days as a mom and why?

Julie Kieras: The Bible contains several powerful passages about women and motherhood, from Hannah’s yearnings to Mary’s ponderings, and while these both have spoken deeply to me at various points, the one passage that continually encourages and inspires me is the Proverbs 31 woman. Most people cite this as a homemaking passage, but tucked into it are the words: “her children arise up and call her blessed…” This little phrase tells me that in all her goings and doings, this virtuous woman was also… a mother! Today’s mothers often struggle with being “stay at home” versus “working mom.” What I find so encouraging in this passage is the idea that this woman had a full and well-rounded life that included meaningful work, healthy marriage, happy kids, and good success. The Proverbs 31 woman teaches me that life as a mom isn’t an “either/or” proposition. While it’s daunting to think about achieving Proverbs 31 Woman level, it’s encouraging to know that there’s nothing we have to “give up.” We have God’s blessing to have both vision and virtue, to find the balance between industry and infants, to enjoy the blessings of home/life management and motherhood.

Tiffany Malloy: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31.

I’ve been a stay at home or work from home mom for nearly 8 years (with a 1 year exception), and sometimes I feel, well, tired of being at home all the time! On occasion I am tempted to believe that my work caring for kiddos at home is not as Kingdom-building as some other things I could be doing if I was working outside the home. It’s during these seasons that I hold on to this verse, which reminds me that God asks me to glorify Him in WHATEVER I’m doing, even in those tasks that feel quite mundane. This verse also brings my attention back to the overarching call on my life to be a whole-life worshipper, and reminds me that I can do that ANYWHERE, especially in my own home. So, when that feeling of restlessness begins to saturate my mind, this verse and ones like it helps me to regain perspective and patience.

Susan Heim: My twin boys are entering middle school this year, and I know this is a time of life when fitting in will be especially important to them. They will be judged by their peers on superficial qualities, such as their appearance or their possessions. When this happens, I want my boys to know the truth in the words of 1 Samuel 16:7: “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I want them to feel loved for who they are, not what they wear or how they style their hair. I want them to love themselves and never be afraid to let their personality shine. As their mother, I feel responsible for making sure that my boys have the spiritual tools they need to stand up to bullying. By sharing the message in Samuel, I hope to guide my sons into becoming their best selves, as God created them to be.

Kona Brown: Becoming a mom is like becoming a wife. You obtain the title instantly, but you spend the rest of your life from that point onwards learning to “become” wat you already “are”. Nothing has been more humbling to me than the parenting journey, because I don’t think there is any other situation or role in m life where I have experienced so many consecutive moments of inability, inadequacy, ignorance. Despite how many books I’ve read or blogs I’ve written, there are so many moments in a day where I say: “What do I do now?” A momma’s cry, a familiar exclamation, a constant question. The feeling of lacking what you need to do this job can be overwhelming. That is why 2 Peter 1:2-4 has been such a comfort for me as a mom. That in my knowledge of Him grace and peace multiplies (2 things I need multiple times a day in vast amounts) and that by His divine power (and not my own), I have everything I need for life and godliness, access to all that is required in parenting my boys. In Him, through Him, because of Him, I have no lack, only potential and that is what I press into by faith each day.

Chere Williams: Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” speaks so deeply to my momma’s heart in this season of my life. Never have I felt such inexpressible joy until the day I became a mom. Motherhood is an extraordinary gift and has completely turned my life upside down in the most incredible ways. With that being said, it is hard work and an enormous undertaking! Sometimes the daily responsibilities of raising Anya seem never ending and I often ask myself, “Am I getting this right?” There are days I am just flat out mentally and physically exhausted. That’s when I read Galatians 6:9 on not becoming weary in doing good. Motherhood is the good work, and it isn’t done in vain. God chose me to help mold this amazing little human being! When I’m at my breaking point God knows exactly when I need a glimpse of the harvest I’m reaping as I raise Anya. When he affords me this grace I’m reenergized and refocused on my work as a mom and reminded how sacred this job called motherhood is in the Kingdom.

Jill Williams: Right now, the passage that is speaking to me most as a mom is Proverbs 9:1: “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.” Proverbs 8:12 – 14 speaks to those pillars and this is the starting place to where I am studying. As a mom, I am aware of my own need to be wise in order that, alongside and with respect for my husband, I may do my part to build our house upon the pillars of wisdom and in doing so build them into my children. Discerning truth in a culture that elevates personal desires over any other authority or absolute requires wisdom. And as Francis Schaefer has said, “If there are no absolutes by which to judge society, then society is absolute.” We may remember a society with a stronger allegiance to some absolutes, but our kids are growing up in one where absolutes are close to absent. Therefore, as a mom, I need to be sure I am growing in wisdom and truth personally for not only my own sake, but for the sake of my children to know a Truth distinct from the world they experience around them.

Dusty Shell: This is a very difficult season in my mothering journey. I’ve got two children on the cusp of the beginnings of puberty, one trying to assert her independence from things that seem “babyish,” and a toddler. We’ve been experiencing family hardships such as deaths, sickness, and other stresses and it’s worn on us all. They say that the mom sets the tone of the household and this can be a heavy burden to bear when you are worn to a thread yourself. I’ve found myself wondering how on earth I can set a good example to my children on how to keep it all together in the midst of trials. I’m often reminded of Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I think on this verse often and even sing it to remind myself that this is merely a season. Teaching my children to lean on Him is the best thing I can do as we walk this part of our life’s journey.

Audra Haney: As a new mom (my daughter recently celebrated her first birthday), so many passages have encouraged me in this season. But, if I had to choose a favorite for motherhood, it would be this passage from Isaiah 40:11, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” The entire chapter of Isaiah 40 richly describes the power, authority, sovereignty, and strength of the Lord—but in my opinion—these traits become even more awe-inspiring in light of his gentleness and intimate love. This great God we serve—this ruler of the nations, the commander of the seas, the one who marked the span of the Heavens—loves me and my child enough to carry us close to His heart. He paves our path with help and grace and loving compassion. He’s strong enough to give me victory in every battle and close enough to hold me when I’m weary. As parents—HE IS ON OUR SIDE! As my daughter’s creator—He leads me. He is the infinite, yet intimate Father; not just a beautiful image, but a life-changing promise.

Do you have a question for them? Please post it below. And share your answer with us. See children’s books for growing up in God and more parent resources at grahamblanchard.com.