“…the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy and take him by the hand…’ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.” – Genesis 21:17-19

 

This is for all of you dear ones, walking this road with me that mothers have traveled for thousands of years. For each and every mother who seeks to nurture and protect your children.

 

I will never forget driving home from the hospital as a new mother, barely nineteen years old, with my beautiful five-day old son. How would I ever measure up to become the mother that baby Christopher would need?

 

Together, Greg and I brought this beautiful boy into this world and now it was on us to nurture and shape his life. Cradling the weight of this precious cargo in my arms, I was overwhelmed with waves of emotion and a sense of responsibility vast as the ocean. Greg, on the other hand, looked so relaxed, even buoyant. How could he be so blissfully calm?

 

The bond between mother and child comes with its own unique bundle of emotions. Our watchfulness and care for our children can easily stir up fear and consume us with anxiety to keep them safe from harm, especially in this crazy world we live in! But the story of Hagar and her son tells us that this mothering instinct is as old as time. And striving to be the “perfect” mother will leave us discouraged, guilt-ridden and weary.

 

Do you know what our kids (and grandkids!) need most from us? They need the assurance and stability that comes from fixing our gaze on Christ rather than fixating on our own successes or failures … or their successes and failures.

 

As much as we love our children, our Heavenly Father loves them more than we ever could. He is infinitely wiser and knows exactly what our children need.

 

I have found that with each passing year, God continues to shape my perspective with His Word through my focused time with Him. The Holy Spirit continues to fill me with hope and the joy of Jesus in a way that enables me to persevere through the ups and downs of life. He enables me to love my children and grandchildren in the way they need it most.

 

Dear moms, please know this. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. But He does want us to live in such a way that our kids will become personally familiar with something far greater than the influence of a striving mother.

 

As we seek to grow in Christ and model what love and obedience to Him looks like in the everyday rhythms of life, our precious children who are watching us ever so closely, will see that we have a strong God who will never leave us or forsake us.

 

So, dear mother, in whatever place or circumstance you find yourself today, fear not. God is with you! You can trust Him. May the Lord open our eyes, as He did for Hagar, and lead us to refreshment and life-giving water for our thirsty soul.

 

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” – John 7:37