A Mother’s Love Is a Reflection of God’s Heart
Mothers are an integral part of our lives. After all, none of us would be here but for our mothers! Mothers of all kinds deserve to be elevated with honor today.
A mother’s love goes deeper than biology. It gives us a glimpse into God’s steadfast, eternal love for us.
Mothers love with intention, hold happy and sad tears, and shape their children with tender care while making courageous choices.
This picture is painted beautifully by Mother Mary. She said yes to God’s call, carried our Savior, and stood near the cross as He gave His life for us. Mary’s sacrificial, courageous, and enduring love shows us that motherhood is not only physical but also spiritual. With this in mind, we turn to the story of Moses. Here we see again how God works through the love of mothers.
Moses had two real mothers: his biological mother, Jochebed, and his adoptive mother, Pharaoh’s daughter. Both mothers made courageous choices to love Moses and shape him into a strong man of God, as told in Exodus 2:1-10.
Moses was born into a world of death. Pharaoh’s decree sentenced him to death upon his birth. Jochebed, Moses’ mother, and Moses’ father were determined to keep Moses alive. They disobeyed Pharaoh and risked their own lives for him to live. Hebrews 11:23 tells us that Jochebed and Moses’ father hid Moses for three months after he was born. Every cry, every daylight hour spent hidden away, Jochebed chose Moses over herself for three months.
Those who have had newborns know that the first three months are the hardest. Sleep is minimal, cries can feel continual, and time outdoors is most refreshing. Jochebed spent these twelve weeks hiding away with Moses, staying out of the public eye and choosing every day to put faith over fear.
Jochebed hid herself and Moses as long as she could. People knew she had been pregnant, and Moses was growing bigger every day. Jochebed made a basket of reeds, applied pitch to make it water resistant, and laid baby Moses softly inside. Walking to the river, she probably cried tears of heartache, but her faith strengthened her to put one foot in front of the other. She placed him in the river and set him adrift into the promises of God.
Her faith in God was so great that she was able to trust Him with the life of her son. Motherhood is filled with making courageous choices for your children and trusting that God remains faithfully in control. Mary did this as Jesus hung on the cross. Just as Jochebed released Moses into the river, Mary released Jesus into the will of the Father. She trusted even in deep sorrow. God is faithful in every surrender. He knows how much mothers care, and He remains in control even in loss or heartache. Our Lord comforts the brokenhearted. He grants peace and comfort when joy feels far away, and He promises an eternal reunion of mothers with their children, just as Mary resides with Jesus now.
Pharaoh’s daughter, the Egyptian princess, went down to the river to bathe when she saw the basket floating. She sent her servants to fetch the basket and found a baby boy, Moses, helpless and alone. She knew he was Hebrew because of his circumcision. Ignoring her father’s decree, she chose to show Moses compassion and give him life. Despite the risk, she chose to love and nurture Moses as her own child.
Both women chose to give Moses love. This is what made them both his mothers.
His birth mother risked her life to save his life. His adoptive, Egyptian mother risked the wrath of her father, the Pharaoh, to save his life. These are acts of deep, maternal love. Both of these women chose to love Moses more than they loved themselves.
Because they loved him so much, he was able to fulfill God’s destiny for him to lead the Jewish people out of slavery, cross the Red Sea, defeat the Egyptian armies without a sword or shield, and guide his people toward the promised land.
Mary chose to sacrificially love her Son, whom she knew belonged to God. Motherhood found Mary unexpectedly, and still she said yes to the child placed before her, disregarding the cultural costs. From His conception to His death on the cross, she walked in obedience and trust. Mary’s love brought forth the Savior of the world and made way for our redemption.
God uses a mother’s love to shape His children into mighty men and women of God and to prepare them for their God-given destiny.
Today, we celebrate and thank all mothers for the love, sacrifice, and devotion they have given. If you have felt the love of a mother, biological, emotional, or adoptive, you have been given a gift. Rejoice and praise the Lord!”
Written by: Catherine Cagnina