A Simple Message for All Moms This Mother's Day

Traditions & Celebrations
Written By Emily A. Jensen

"What does the church need to give moms this Mother's Day?" <--- a question we received on Twitter that's worth considering ...

At first, my brain shuffled through the obvious things: the church needs to support moms, to thank them, to equip them for discipleship, and to provide outlets for fellowship and spiritual growth. These messages, at some level, always feel timely and helpful.

But as I thought about it more, what moms really need to hear from their church this Mother's Day isn't a burdensome statement about the hugeness of their calling, a heartfelt "thanks" that can sometimes fall on deaf ears due to guilt, or a list of ways they can do even better in motherhood...

What moms really need, if we are to give them the strength to run the race set before them, is a reminder of who they are and what they have in Christ. This saying comes to mind:

“Run, John, run, the law commands
But gives us neither feet nor hands,
Far better news the gospel brings:
It bids us fly and gives us wings”
— John Bunyan

The better news is that:

  • Moms are sinners who have fallen short of everything God has called them to do and be in every area of life.

  • Apart from God's grace in Christ, this leaves moms in a really desperate and depressing situation.

  • But God loved them so much that he made a way for their sin to be punished and paid for at the cross.

  • Now, they can walk in freedom from the demands of being a "good and perfect" mom, because they aren't defined by their ability to obey the law.

  • Joyfully, moms can have hope in an unchanging future with Christ regardless of their circumstances, and live for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit within them.

It's a simple message. It's not glamorous. It's not even new! But it is what moms need to hear if they are going to embrace their calling (in all areas of life), accept the appreciation of others as the gospel frees them from guilt, and thrive as moms who point others to Jesus.

With this truth, we can edit the saying with moms in mind...

“Strive, mama, strive the law demands
But gives her neither feet nor hands,
Far better news the gospel brings:
It bids her freedom and gives her means.”

Far better news the gospel always brings to a mom's heart, who needs desperately to cease from her striving and live for her Savior.

Emily A. Jensen

Emily A. Jensen is an author, podcaster, and the cofounder and content director at Risen Motherhood, where she and her sister-in-law, Laura Wifler, help moms connect their faith to their everyday lives. Emily’s greatest passion is knowing Christ and making him known—in her home, her community, and to the ends of the Internet. Her book, He is Strong: Devotions for When You Feel Weak, releases October 2023.

When she’s not writing, speaking, podcasting, or encouraging women on Instagram, you can find her prepping a meal, pulling weeds, playing in the backyard with her children, or huddled up with a good book.

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