How does God define a mother? Why this way? Meditate on the definition.

Happy Mother's Day!  Mothers are given a very special purpose from God!  In this blog, you will discover a mother's purpose by how God spells the word "mother".  There is a deep meaning behind it.  It goes far beyond merely birthing a child or raising children to adulthood.  A true "mother" in God's eyes carries a lifetime of influence.  A mother as God intends, is a strong force of nature to bind us in love like no other!

This Mother's Day I feel God challenging me to reflect on my mother through His eyes.  So I've been reviewing and considering some of her ways, some of her emotions, and some of her words.  It's been enlightening to reflect on her through God's meaning of a mother. 

After doing an exercise of remembering and reflecting, I can feel God softening my heart.  There is a deeper understanding into her ways.  I can see why any family upset strikes her core and keeps her unsettled.  God's definition of a mother is making me stop and appreciate her overly expressive kisses and hugs, to see why she still wants to sit on the couch and hold my hand, that even though I am over 50, she still wants me to stop so she can just look at my face.  I roll my eyes in a lot of those moments and feel my adult self resisting.  There are times when I can feel "too zoned in on" by her deeply intuitive nature that never stops trying to tune to my heart, and make sure I am ok.  She worries a lot about my safety; and would be just fine if I only drove on days that were sunny and dry.  I have laughed out loud on the countless days she has said, "It's raining out maybe you shouldn't drive today." 

One thing is certain, about my mother and countless other mothers, "she" is a force of love sent from God holding us together in a way He designed.  I see this when my mother questions, "When is the last time you talked to your brother?  You should call him."  I see it when she says, "Give me another hug before you leave." This makes me think of many times I've heard people say, "Now that my mom is gone, the family does not stay in touch the way we used to.  She held us together."  That statement of "she held us together" gets to the very heart of God's definition and purpose of a mother. Reflect further by reading through and processing the exercise below.. 

Note- Even if you have not had a good experience with your mother, others could have represented God's motherly love to you.  And if you still have not had that experience, no matter how old you may be, ask God to experience a mother's love.  There is a section below to help you. 

Psalm 27:10- NLT Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.

Meditation Exercise:  How God defines "mother"

Prayer Goal- 

• "God, open my eyes to see my mother through your design.  Birth in me a new appreciation and thankfulness so that I may honor her in my thoughts, actions, and words." 
• or "God, I've never known this type of love.  God, reveal a mother's love to me."
• or "God, let your meaning of a "mother" transform the way I am as a mother.  Help me be a mother reflecting the beauty of your design."

Definition-  God defines a mother according to purpose.  Her purpose is one who "'binds" the family together, holding them together individually and collectively through her love and actions.  

How can we know this is how God defines a "mother"?-  Before there were letters to spell words, there were pictographs.  Pictographs were symbols, which when their symbolic meanings were combined, revealed definitions.  Eventually each pictograph became the letters used today with the symbolic meanings staying with each letter.  We see this in how 2 symbols were combined to define the word "mother".  It is a definition of purpose. One symbol was an ox head, the other symbol was of water.  An ox head represents strength.  And water represents water.  So combined these pictographs mean "strong water."  In Ancient Hebrew you would read from right to left, and this is how it would be spelled in pictographic symbols- ​

So anytime you saw those pictographs combined, you would know they were referencing a "mother."*. Now how does strong water translate into a "mother'?

​In ancient times, the skins of animals were boiled in water which produced a sticky substance, much like glue. So strong water was a binding agent. And it was known in ancient times that a mother was a binding agent of the family. She held the family together with her love, her words, and her work. Her love, her words, and her work brought comfort, discipline, wisdom that "held" the family together.

WAYS TO REFLECT (Pick what is RELEVANT to you from 3 different scenarios):

1. Ask God to help bring to mind ways that your mother held you together with her love, words, and work. Reflect on times she shed tears in private because of her mother's heart for you.
   1. ​​Write down what comes to mind. Consider including some of these reflections in the card you give to her on Mother's day.
   2. Consider including this scripture in your card to her- "I thank my God every time I remember you."
2. If you have a bad relationship with your mother and have upset within about what you are remembering, take those feelings and thoughts to Jesus.
   1. Let God know what you are thinking and feeling that is upsetting. He knows the pain around abandonment, emotional negligence, harsh treatment, and broken promises.
   2. Be open to not suppressing tears. God heals through tears and longs to comfort.
      1. Psalm 126:5- Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
      2. Psalm 34:18- The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
   3. Do you feel any bitterness of soul towards your mother? If so, bitterness is a root to be removed so that is does not defile other relationships.
      1. Ask Jesus to work in you to remove the bitterness- Hebrews 12:15 Be careful that no one falls short of the grace of God, so that no root of bitterness will spring up to cause trouble and defile many.
   4. Ask Jesus to help you release any insistence you have that she "pay" for her mistakes. to lead you on a path to forgive, to let go, and to trust in how He works out justice. (If the pain and trauma is very deep, this will be a process. But God will help you. He is the only One who can forgive, so it will be His life in you to help you release and let go. Your surrender to His ways is the first step.)
      1. Romans 12:19- Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
      2. Mark 11:25- And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
3. If a mother yourself, reflect on ways you show your love, ways you speak to your children, ways you work to hold each one and the family together.
   1. ​Are you weary? Do you need His encouragement and strength? Do you need to hear whispers of affirmation from Him? Ask Him for it.
      1. Genesis 16:13a- She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me..."
      2. 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.
   2. Do you feel badly about any words or actions that may have been too harsh or impatient? Ask God if you are too hard on yourself. Ask Him to show you mercy for any harsh ways. Ask Him to give you wisdom on how to handle new situations through His Spirit, strength, and love.
      • Matthew 11:29- Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
      • Romans 8:26- 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.

Praise God for His love and divine intervention! Be blessed in the transformative work of God to help you honor your mother, forgive where necessary, and be a mother purposed according to Holy definition! May the strong waters of His love bind you eternally through Christ!

​* Benner, Jeff. “Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, www.virtualbookworm.com, 2005.
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