Who is a mother?

The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.                             Genesis 3:20                                         

I began mother’s day reading Holley Gerth’s blog post Encouragement for Every Woman, Every Mama. To my delight I was comforted by her broader definition of who should be considered a mother.

Every Woman. 

It was my fortune to spend part of Mother’s Day with two wonderful young women (mamas) who had not given birth to a child but had mothered hundreds. They were extremely interested in the well being of children and had given untold number of words of encouragement and hours of sacrifice for the benefit of young souls.

For some, the reality for Mother’s Day, includes heartache and shame. The exclusion of women who; are single, married and infertile, unable to deliver a viable child (or whatever circumstances have prevented a woman from having a child, biological or adopted), extends the wound of the loss of childlessness.

Their pain is unknown and unseen by the rest of us who have children. Church families focus and elevate families with children. On Mother’s Day, mother’s who have children, are asked to stand to receive a flower in their honor, while the childless “mothers”  sit with aching empty hands, covering their hearts of shame. Shame that tells them they are defective, not valued as the “real mothers”.

Families with children should be recognized as a valued treasure. So should the mamas without  children of their own. They are actively loving children that are not technically their own. Their caring love is volunteered, purposed from a sincere heart. How priceless is this kind of love!

The definition of the action of a mother includes the verbs, nurturing and protecting. Does biology define a mother or the authentic action of nurturing love? 

I remember a single, middle age, biology teacher that I had in the 11th grade. She nurtured and protected me from the various stresses that besieged a 17 year old girl. I LOVED biology and I was her after school lab assistant. She even let me drive her car! When I had a minor fender bender, she was tender and accepting of me in spite of my mistake. Her impact in my life was endearing, giving me a motherly comfort at a time when I was vulnerable. I considered her as one of the many women in my life that “mothered” me into adulthood. 

Thank you for all the “mothers” I had who gave me encouragement and empowered me to live strong in my faith. All who give your love away, with nothing expected in return – You are Beautiful!

As women, we are offspring of Eve, the mother of all the living and the daughters of the living God. When we understand this truth we are able to give His love to all souls, young and old.