The impact of mothers. Impact is the effect someone has on another.
God has set up the role of motherhood to reflect His heart—to disciple, love and impact the soul of a child. The experiences children have with their mothers impact them throughout their entire life—affecting their character, stress levels, anxiety, life choices, coping skills, confidence, relationships, and perspectives on the world.
Moms aren't perfect, and they were never meant to be. If moms were perfect, their kids would turn to them for everything instead of to God. If you are a mom, don’t try to be the mom others think you should be, be the mom that God wants you to be. Simply be a follower of Jesus.
God values all who have disabilities and died so that they can live. If you are a parent of a child who has disabilities and special needs, I want to encourage you. Some days it takes everything in you to keep going. God sees you, God sees your child; He will strengthen you and uphold you. He has your child’s life in His hands.
Jesus, speaking to a crowd, asked, “Who are my mother and brothers?” He did not point to His biological mother and brothers. He pointed to those who were following and learning from Him, and said, “Here are my mother and brothers. For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus was revealing the concept of a spiritual family.
The impact of you being born. Do you know why you were born? When you know why, you will know what your soul is worth. Your life has potential to impact the world around you, and you have incredible worth in the eyes of your Creator.
Psalm 139 teaches that your life was not some random chance, and you definitely are not a mistake. Your value comes not from what you achieve but from the One who created all things. Who you are impacts this world. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Who are you currently impacting?
Deborah (Judges chapters 4&5) was a prophet, a wife, and the Judge of Israel at a time when the nation of Israel had turned away from the Lord and was being terribly oppressed. Deborah eventually led the nation to victory by overthrowing their oppressors in a crazy, impossible battle. She did this through hearing from God and then obeying what He told her to do. Before the battle occurred, the people in Israel would not fight. They held back, Deborah said, “until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.”
It is not clear if Deborah actually had biological children. What is clear is that Deborah’s leadership—her tender, fierce love as a mother over a nation—brought God-given wisdom and boldness. As a result, the people also rose up: they rose up to lead, they rose up to try again, they rose up to fight against all odds, they started to do the things that God called them to do. What was the impact? They went from being people who were oppressed, to people who were at peace.
To those of you who know the Lord: Rise up as sons and daughters of the King of kings. Hear the Lord and do what He says. Be the person God made you to be. This impacts your life. This impacts others. This impacts the world.