To Women Everywhere

It is nearly Mother's Day. A Hallmark holiday intended to celebrate mothers everywhere and raise the consumer spending index through flower and chocolate sales. I think it is wonderful that we appreciate moms. I think it should be more often than once a year with less formality but with as much sincerity.  I know I am thankful for my mom and will be enjoying the day with her. It is for a different group of women I am writing today... those for whom this day is marked with sadness, grief or even faltering faith. And to these women I dedicate this post.

Millions of women in the world are either childless, barren, past childbearing age, or have experienced the trauma of abortion at some point in their lives. They, like myself, may have a baby in heaven they look forward to meeting one day, holding, and looking into their eyes. Like me, they experienced motherhood for a brief moment and then, for either poor decisions or for fear of what to do and making a hasty and selfish decision, they chose to terminate a life. Or perhaps they longed for their baby and The Lord chose to take the wee one home to heaven. 

Perhaps they never experienced pregnancy. It could be that for years they longed for a husband and family of their own, but The Lord had different plans. Maybe The Lord has marriage and family in their future but it hasn't come to pass yet. 

Women, I want to encourage you. I know it takes great faith to press on and trust that God has your best in mind, when you can only see one step ahead. I can confidently assure you that He does have your best in mind, and His best will come to pass when you let Him lead you. 

Keep trusting Him, for He is worthy.

If you are hurting from the loss of a child, let God put His arms around you. He knows your pain and He loves you, and He is caring for your little one. You will see your little one again. The Lord never forsakes you and He will not leave you. If you sinned, you can be forgiven! There is no sin beyond forgiveness; just sincerely repent and ask Jesus to forgive you and to heal your emotional wounds. Then receive healing and forgiveness from Jesus! Let His love wash over you. The next thing to do is to rebuke the enemy of your soul who accuses and lies to you. Make him flee from you by standing firmly on God's Word. Replace the lies with God's truth of who you are. (A good read is "Victory Over Darkness" by Neil Anderson. Also highly recommended is "Prayers That Heal the Heart" by Mark and Patti Virkler.) Meditate daily on the Word of God. See Hebrews 4:12. And, by all means, stop sinning. Remove yourself from the lifestyle of sin and walk in the victory of God's light! God will give you the grace to overcome temptation. See Galatians 5.

"If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness; 

Therefore you are feared."  Psalm 130

If you are a dedicated single woman serving The Lord and trusting Him for a husband, I want to encourage you to keep trusting Him and lean not on your own understanding. Lean on Him. And remember... NOTHING is impossible with God! As you delight yourself in The Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. He may change your desires, but you will not be disappointed. You who have a mother's heart shall bear fruit. It may be spiritual children. It might mean adopting orphans or creating safe houses for trafficked young girls in Cambodia. It might look very different from what you thought. Please hear with your heart-- The Lord will see to it. This is our Jehovah Jireh. Just trust him and follow him and lay aside your desires so he can resurrect them even better than you can imagine!

"Sing, O barren woman,

You who never bore a child!

Burst into song, shout for joy!

You who were never in labor;

Because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband, says The Lord." Isaiah 54

Be encouraged, women, for you are greatly loved. You are greatly forgiven. You are greatly cherished. For you are royalty. You are daughters of the King.

"Enlarge the place of your tent and stretch your tent curtains wide;

Do not hold back!

Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

Your descendants will dispossess nations and will settle in their desolate cities.

Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

For your Maker is your husband--

The Lord Almighty is His Name--

The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer!

He is called THE GOD OF ALL THE EARTH!"  Isaiah 54

You are loved by the best!

Art credit to Alice Vegrova's page on Facebook where she shares art from around the world.