Looking at 3 Qualities of a Great Mother on Mothers Day

On this Mother’s Day, let us appreciate the mothers who are doing their best for their children. A large proportion of women are mothers who have given birth to their children but a mother can also be someone who shows all the beautiful qualities of mothering even when they have not physically birthed a child.

Let us consider some of the wonderful qualities found in great mothers:

1. Protectiveness

These mothers show their protective nature by shielding their children from dangers the child may not even be aware. A recent example was in the news of orphans in an orphanage in Ukraine who were lovingly protected by the orphanage carers in the midst of the bombing until they were safely rescued. These carers had not given birth to these children and no one would have faulted them if they had tried to save their own lives by fleeing but their protective actions saved the children’s lives.

Another example is found in the Bible (Exodus chapter 2) of the mother of Moses, Jochebed, who kept her baby Moses hidden, and devised a successful plan for his safety after a decree was issued throughout the land that all baby boys born of Mose’s age should be killed.

2. Sacrificial

Sacrificing her child’s needs above her needs is a quality that is a hallmark of a great mother. This is indeed unconditional love.

In the Bible, Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ was only a teenager when the Holy Spirit impregnated her with a child. In those days, it was reputational suicide to give birth out of wedlock and yet, Mary protected her child above her own reputation, class and position in society and some will say even above her own safety. What a wonderful trait.

3. Patience

You have heard the phrase, patient as a saint! Well, there are some mothers who have infinite patience.

I knew a woman once, who had two small children. The children were at an age when they had a million questions about everything and yet no matter how busy this lady was, she would pause and answer all their questions without showing irritation or raising her voice. What a great example of a mother.

We can all live from these women.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS!

UNITY- THE GOD NATURE

For with one word, oh what great a tower we build!

Genesis 1: 1- 7

v.1. Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4. And they said, “Come let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 5. But the lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6. And the Lord said, ‘Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

In as much as the opening scripture is self-explanatory, I want us to kindly take note of a key point.

A very long time ago, an activity of man invited the presence of God. That activity was unity (oneness). These men, had one language, one speech, one goal, one vision, one motive, and set their hearts to do one thing - building a tower whose top reached the heavens.

Obviously, they would have built the tower that touched the heavens, if God had not interrupted them. God knew and admitted that nothing could stop these people as long as they stayed united.

v.6. And the Lord said, ‘Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now NOTHING they propose to do will be WITHHELD from them.’

In other words, God was saying, if I don’t stop them, these people will remain unstoppable. If I don’t move them they will remain immovable. For the very first time, deity had to interrupt the purpose of mortality.

When men unite…

The power of unity cannot be underestimated. It is a force that is very strong and mighty. God knows what unity is. In fact, He is unity and the totality of it. There is every need therefore, for believers to be united.

God in himself is united. The father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all in one. Before man was formed, there was an act of unity.

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “let US make man in OUR image according to OUR likeness…

Man was made in the likeness of God. We, like God, are also three in one; body, soul and spirit. We are united beings.

God teaches us the strength and importance of unity through nature. The birds of the air move together. We call them a flock of birds. Ants are normally seen moving in a train and they collectively, build their anthills and store up food. Lions do not hunt alone. You will always see the pack moving together to trap their target. Animals know the value of this virtue- unity.

You see, we all know the essence of unity and why it is needed in nation building and in the body of Christ. Yet, this virtue is sometimes very hard to practice. The typical man wants to know who is right, who is wrong, who will make the rules and who will submit to it. We prefer to drag issues and always seek to prove a point in a matter, just to glorify our ego and sense of importance. Our diversities and self, come in the way of unity.

Godly unity

Unity is only good however, if it is aligned with God’s purposes. God will never bless unity of ungodly purpose.

Contrast Genesis 1:28 to the passage above in Genesis 1:1-7. One is an example of God endorsed unity and the other is example of ungodly unity.

Genesis 1:28

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” God wanted man to increase and fill the earth.

This is in sharp contrast to the motive of the builders of the tower of babel who declared “let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” Their purpose in uniting was in direct contradiction to God’s will for man to fill the earth.

Godly unity is a virtue and a nature of God and we need to exhibit it every day. As children of God, we need to achieve perfect unity with God, and with men.

Now let us consider the two.

1. Unity with God

This unity implies total oneness and submission to God’s will and ways. It is having a pure relationship with God through Christ Jesus. The bible teaches us the need to remain engrafted in Christ if we are to be fruitful disciples. We need to be united with God if we want to impact our generations. It is only through unity that we will be able to hear from the father and follow him in obedience.

John 15: 4-5

v.4. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruits of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5. I am the vine you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruits; for without Me you can do nothing.

Unity with God in Christ Jesus means developing a close relationship in which communication is a key. It involves praying, studying the word of God and having a constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

2. Unity with men

God desires that we live in Godly unity with each other -an atmosphere where there is peace and understanding. Godly unity with men is overlooking our individual differences and living harmoniously, relating with each other as with brothers and sisters.

Psalm 133:1

Behold how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

In our relationship with people, we need to exhibit the virtue of unity. We need to make a conscious effort to choose people over issues and do away with ego and self-centeredness.

To foster unity, we should eliminate all kinds of backbiting, gossip, malice, jealousy and bearing false witness. These acts are seeds of discord that hamper the growth of unity among a people. At home, in school, in our communities etc., we need to respect each other’s choices and learn to stay united even if we do not totally agree about everything. Remember this. A kingdom divided among itself will not stand. The moment we begin to speak the language of disunity, a portal opens. We invite and partner with the enemy to destroy what God, through us, is building.

Therefore, in our homes, schools, workplaces, communities and relationships (marriage, friendship, family etc.), let us seek to stay united by putting God first, people second and our emotions last on the list. In situations where we encounter very difficult people, we need to ask God for grace and wisdom in dealing with them.

No man is an island. We need each other to survive. Let us allow love to lead and unite us always- It’s part of the God nature.

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PERFECT LOVE MANIFESTED

There is a God and He is love.

The word love denotes a feeling of affection for another. A feeling that is birthed out of admiration, personal ties, benevolence, or common interests. Love means different things to different people at different times. At the same time, a good percentage of people no longer believe in the term love because their life experiences have been so bitter, thus diminishing the meaning of Love.

At some point in life, we do ask ourselves or hear people ask questions like , “Is there anything like true love?”, “Does true love exist in this generation?” and “Can someone love me unconditionally just as I am?”

Thankfully, the answer to these questions is yes, yes and yes. There is true love, it exists in this generation and there is someone who has, is and will always love you just as you are. This someone is God and the love he offers is perfect because it brings forgiveness, peace and wholeness.

God, from the beginning of time, has loved humanity very much, and has in various ways, revealed his love to us. An epitome of a people who experienced the love of God, were the Israelites. When they fell, God picked them up, when they sinned, God became upset and punished them but continued to love them. When they cried for mercy, God forgave them and the journey continued and is still continuing. God was always with them as they were so dear to his heart.

Today, God’s love is not just for a select few, but for as many as will draw near to Him. God has spoken to us clearly and manifested His perfect Love to humanity.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life”

1John 1:9

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins”

These scriptures speak of the Father’s heart for us. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden, made the natural man a sin stained creature before God. Without knowing it, the consequences of our sin nature, makes us destined for hell. But praise be to God who has reconciled us unto Himself and given us the privilege to be His dear children.

Out of his abundant mercies, fallible mortals are now opportune to gain the right to become sons and divine heirs of His kingdom when we believe in Jesus Christ His Son and what He has done for the human race. This act of love is perfect. It is not contingent on anything we have done or can ever do for God. It is a love that is orchestrated by the father Himself, even when we did not know, care and were totally alienated from Him.

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

Titus 3:3-7

“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.4.But when the kindness and the love of God our savior toward man appeared, 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He save us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6. Whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our savior, 7. that having been justified by his grace we should become Heirs according to the hope of eternal life”.

God has loved us from the beginning even when we were far off, disqualified, without a place in glory, blindly following the patterns of this world, denying the existence of a God by our actions, His love was there. As we accept Him and His love gift of Jesus Christ, His love embraces us.

Should we ever turn away from Him as He faithfully walks with us, and should we stray off His tracks, His love will still be there to gracefully lift us, forgive us and strengthen us in our spiritual walk with Him.

His love will never run out on us and the only thing that can separate us from His love is us, if we choose to turn our backs on Him.

Once we come into contact with God’s supreme love through Jesus, all our sins are forgiven and no matter what our past looks like, we are allowed to start anew because our faith in Jesus Christ justifies us before God.

Unlike the love of man, God’s love is unconditional, unfailing, just, unending and perfect. His love found me; His love is calling on you today!

Maybe this is the first time you are hearing this message. Maybe you feel you’ve strayed off this love. It’s okay to start again. It is never too late.

Please say this prayer with faith.

Dear God, I thank you for this blog. I thank you that you love me and you are calling on me. Today, I confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Lord over my life. I turn my back on sin and ask you to forgive me of all my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth for me, that he died for me and rose from the grave for me. I accept this gift of salvation and declare that my life belongs to Jesus Christ henceforth. Help me in my new journey with you, in Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Thank you for reading!