From Cindy's Heart

Would the PERFECT Mother Please Step Forward???

Would the PERFECT Mother Please Step Forward???
By Cindy Rushton

Do you ever feel overwhelmed as you look at this awesome call of womanhood? Do you ever question your qualifications and abilities? Do you ever wonder how others get things to just work out fine while you are still struggling over the most mundane areas of life?

I have found myself right here more times than not! Face-down on the bathroom floor, complete with nasty scum!! Pouring out my limitations…my fears…my frustrations…my lack in character…my battle with the flesh…on and on! Confessing once again my greatest problem…stepping out to do things by myself, only to leave God somewhere back in the dust!

This feeling of despair is only compounded as I look to Scripture with its examples of hidden women of old. They seem so perfect…devoted to the call…steadfast through it all. I can not imagine any of them burdened, struggling, much less frequenting my quiet place!

Did They KNOW?

Do you think that they knew the power of motherhood? Do you think they ever felt that their calling was too great of a burden or did they just step up to the call with confidence and absolute perfection? Do you think they had any idea how great their children would one day be when they were in the midst of those temper tantrums and character building lessons or did they ever find themselves wanting to choke their little darlings?

Think about it…do you think that Eve had any idea of the fruit of her womb? She was the Mother of all living? Do you think she had a big enough vision to envision the heritage that was before her? Would it have made a difference in her choices when she faced temptation?

What about Jochebed? We know that she treasured her little Moses…but do you think that she had any idea that she was nursing the “deliverer” of her people? The one her people had asked of the Lord? Do you think she knew how powerful her calling as a mother would be as it affected the life of this young man?

How about Sarah? In those lonely, desperate years of infertility and waiting for the appointed time of promise, do you think that she had any idea that her little boy would be the first child of an entire nation? The mighty nation of Israel? The beginning of the lineage of Christ? A man known for centuries as a man of great faith? Do you think that she really believed that God could go beyond the impossible to the incredible?

What about Ruth…do you think that in the midst of her grief as she mourned the loss of her dear husband and kept a commitment to his family to stay and care for his mother come-what-may that she could fathom the plan of God? Do you think that she could have ever imagined that she would be chosen to continue to lineage of Christ?

How about Hannah? Do you think those childless days full of torment would have been easier if she had known how God would answer her heart-cry to Him? Would she have rested easier if she had known that she was just waiting on the perfect time and perfect situation for the little baby that God would one-day use as the prophet of Israel? Yes, her little baby would be the same prophet whose prayers were heard by God in a day that “the word of the Lord was precious” because “there was no open vision.”. Actually that was an understatement. Scripture says that, “NONE of his words fell to the ground,” “the Lord was WITH him,” and “the Lord REVEALED HIMSELF to Samuel.” Do you think Hannah knew that she was being brought to the point of complete surrender so that her son could become a man who had power in prayer and power in his relationship with God? In those tender things that she did (staying home with him enjoying every minute with him until it was time to give him back to the Lord… consistently visiting him while he was at the temple… bringing him a little coat each and every year), do you think she had any idea that she was nurturing the mentor of a mighty king?? Do you think that she had a vision for the power of a mother’s influence that not only affects the lives of one person, but continues to affect many, many more that are never seen or known?

How about Bathsheba? As the scandal of being the King’s mistress and co-conspirator in the murder of her husband reached its maximum, do you think in the embarrassment and humiliation that Bathsheba could even imagine that even she could be used by God? We are talking about the mistress of David, the “man after God’s own heart.” The seductive mistress who fell into great sin as her husband was away pouring himself into his calling to the point of laying down his own life for that call. Can you just imagine the heartache as this young girl found herself with child, the child of an affair? Can you imagine the pain as the child’s life was taken leaving this woman with a pain that words cannot express? Do you think she had any idea that God could and would still use her to become a godly wife and mother? Do you think she could imagine the splendor that awaited her son as he ruled in wisdom for the glory of God?

Don’t forget about Mary! Do you think she had any idea of what God was doing in her life? That she would be the mother of the Messiah? Our Saviour? Our Lord? The Great I AM? Do you think she saw the great privilege, the great power, the holy moments that were all part of her calling when she began to endure the stares…the whispers…the quiet giggles? How about Mary? Do you think she had any idea of what God would be doing through the life of her child to bring hope, peace, and true salvation to the entire world?

Do you think that these women had any idea that their children would shape the world…be used mightily by God…and still teach and minister to the lives of others centuries after they lived? Did they have a vision for all God could do through them? Did they know the power of motherhood?

My thoughts…I believe that they were moms just like you and me. I am sure that they battled with day-to-day demands that often blurred their vision. I am sure that they had moments that were lost, never to return again. I am also sure that they had no idea of the way God would work in the lives of their children. In fact, I would imagine that they all have quite a list of regrets and things that they would do differently. I am sure that they struggled with the tremendous call of motherhood just as much as we do today.

Think about it…we are given such a tremendous calling. We are loaned a soul! A soul to teach…a soul to train…a soul to lead…a soul to guide…a soul to love… a soul to nurture… a soul to care for…a soul to enjoy…a soul to mother!

I am sure that every mother must admit that, at some time and in some (or most!) circumstances, the task gets overwhelming! The vast importance of motherhood looks too tough! Nurturing and encouraging the children to become all that God has planned for them, with their gifts, talents, bents, and capabilities, is too tremendous of a calling! There is so much power in our influence. And…are we worthy of this call? Are we qualified?

Women with a Questionable Past...

The good news is that God already knows who we are! He already knows that we, like our dear Bible friends, are the perfect Mothers for our children. He knows our past. He knows our present. He knows our future. Our ideas of the perfect mother may not be His!

A while back a friend called excited and told me that she just knew that I would love the passage found in Matthew 1. Mary had realized that not only was Ruth’s mother-in-law in her first marriage Naomi, but in her second marriage her mother-in-law was Rahab, the town prostitute! She was so excited about how God blessed Ruth with a mother-in-law who would be the most open to love her just like she was. Think of it, both were Gentiles and both were from a questionable past! Mary began something in my heart that I could not explain! So, take a look at this Scripture with me, this is good!

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of TAMAR; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Boaz of RAHAB; and Boaz begat Obed of RUTH; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of HER THAT HAD BEEN THE WIFE OF URIAH; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel egat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of MARY, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

As I looked at this passage, I noticed something. God never makes a mistake in Scripture. He always has what is needed in Scripture and leaves out details that are needed as well. As the ultimate Writer and Editor, He does so for emphasis and for teaching.

As I looked at this passage, I realized that there were only a few women listed in the passage…five to be exact. This passage detailed the lineage of Christ. Now, in the world’s eyes, wouldn’t we imagine that those women would be the most exemplary? Wouldn’t we think that it would be most important to share about the good girls? The girls from the perfect heritage…the girls with the best education…the girls with prominence? Wouldn’t we keep the black-sheep in the background without any unnecessary acknowledgment of them and their existence?

Unlike us, God makes a statement here! He can use any of us! He simply does not look at the same things in His vessels that we would look for or that we already look for! He can pick and refine any vessel for His glory (Comfort of all comfort here!) Take a look. In this passage, we find listed…

• Tamar…A young girl married to a very wicked man. So wicked that “the Lord put him to death.” Imagine, young and widowed…without any children (a disgrace). Judah gave her to his next son (a custom in their day) so she could have a child. God put him to death by God because he would not fulfill his obligation (giving her a child) to this young girl. After this death, Judah sent her back to her father’s house to wait until Judah’s son Shelah grew up to marry her. It was very apparent that Judah did not have the intention to give her to this son simply because of his fear that “he may die too, just like his brothers.” After a long time, Judah’s wife passed away and Judah mourned from the grief. His son was then grown, yet Tamar had not been given to him in marriage. I can only imagine how frustrated and hurt she was by this time. However, she decided to take things in her hands. She disguised herself as a prostitute, slept with Judah (HER FATHER-IN-LAW!!). Yes, you read right. God listed a woman in the lineage of Christ who prostituted herself out to her father-in-law in order to bear a child! Even a deceptive, incestuous relationship was not beyond God’s grace. He used this woman with a questionable past as a mighty woman in His plan!
• Rahab…You probably remember Rahab. She was the town prostitute from the city of Jericho. Imagine this woman’s life. She was well known as the town harlot. Scripture describes her “a harlot” in Joshua 2 and again in Joshua 6, so it is clear that she had a horrible reputation and that God knew about it! Yet, this woman with a well-known and very questionable past was later commended in this passage in Matthew (in the lineage of Christ) and later Hebrews (in the faith “hall of fame”) as a woman of faith. Even this woman without a proper upbringing, proper heritage, or proper lifestyle was not beyond God’s grace. God could use this woman with a questionable past as a mighty woman in His plan!
• Ruth…Ruth has always been one of my favorite Bible characters. I loved her purity. I loved her commitment to her very mother-in-law difficult (Depressed, mourning, self-pity, bitterness! What a package!). Yet, as I look at this woman, I realize that as easy as it is to identify with Ruth and to simply adore and love her as a hero to godly women, she was still looked upon with great judgment in her day. Many of us have faced this as well. She was a Moabite. What is that? Little history…remember Lot? His incestuous relationship with his daughters? Yes…Moab was a son of Lot through incest. His people quickly multiplied and became great enemies of the Israelites and their God until their destruction. They were known for their idolatry. This was Ruth’s family. Not only from a bad family, this young wife was widowed and childless, both a great disgrace. In spite of the costs, Ruth clung to her brokenhearted Mother-in-law, as she left her family, homeland, and faith to follow the God of Naomi! Ruth is the perfect picture that even a person from a bad family can find grace, grace, wonderful grace! She also shows that God does not throw away the questionable women even if they do not worship Him. Yes, once again we see that God can use a woman with a questionable past as a mighty woman in His plan!
• The Wife of Uriah…Could it be any more disgraceful? This woman had a wonderful husband. A man of commitment. A hero! This is one woman who was mentioned in this passage, but interestingly it is without her name! Yes, this is Bathsheba. Uriah’s wife. King David’s mistress. Imagine for a moment the disgrace. She had it all, yet fell into great sin. If adultery were not enough, she soon found herself with child. Imagine the predicament! This affair was not easily be covered up. In fact, the cover up was top secret with all of the power a King could have. David brought Uriah home to sleep with his own wife…hoping that it would cover up the illegitimate pregnancy. Yet, once again we find that Uriah was so committed to his country that instead of sleeping with his wife, he “slept at the door of the king’s house with all of the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.” Messing up the plan cost his life! David sent him back to the battle lines, only this time “in the front of the hottest battle” where he would surely die. Yes, David and Bathsheba were part of a plot to murder this innocent man they had sinned against! Adultery…now murder! Not your idea of a perfect mother! Yet, where the greatest sin abounds, grace more abundantly abounds! This questionable woman would later become David’s legitimate wife and bear a son to continue the lineage of Christ. Yes, God can use a woman with a questionable past as a mighty woman in His plan!
• Mary…I know, I know! You are saying, “But…Cindy…SHE WAS A VIRGIN!” Yes. But think about it! A little girl from a small town. A nobody. An insignificant person. Not your likely candidate for the mother of Jesus, the Saviour, the Great I AM! Besides her lack of connections, imagine a young girl betrothed (engaged…much more serious than engagements of our day…betrothal equaled good as married!) to a man but all of the sudden with the child of the Most High??? Can you imagine the whispers? The gossip (Oh, you know that the religious are often the most ferocious…gossiping in the name of protecting the Lord, yet destroying people with their words.). The stares. The snickering. The judgment. Oh, and if that is not enough…imagine this young girl being ready to marry, only to have the man she is called to marry be heartbroken and not believe her. We know and accept the story. Yet, all throughout time, Mary has been a woman who had to pay a price for obedience. The price was her reputation as it became questionable whether she was truthful or not! Oh, yes…even sweet ary found that little girls from insignificant lives can be used mightily. She found that in spite of the talk…the stares…the judgment, that God can use even the most questionable women for His plan!

God’s Choice...The Least of These!

What about you? Where have you been? What is your secret? What have you done? Who has stared at you in disgust and judgment? Do you find that you would really rather not have your story written because you are not quite sure you want others to know that you came from a family such as yours? Would you rather hide away in obscurity not sharing your deepest, darkest secrets? Would you rather forget those moments when you made those mistakes that still send shivers all over your body as you feel the pang of humiliation and disappointment in the depths of your heart? Do you think that God surely can’t use you…that He has made a mistake choosing you as a mother of your precious children…and that you are not sure you are up for the call even now?

There is one great thing about our great God…He can use any of us! There is no one so insignificant that God can’t make great. Actually, God specializes in taking the smallest, most insignificant little people to the greatest, most spectacular heights! There is no sin so great that God’s grace is not greater. Actually, God specializes in taking the greatest of sinners and turning them into the greatest of all saints! Yes, if you are a woman with a questionable past, know that God can use women of questionable pasts for His plan…and He has chosen you!

Yes, God can use any of us! If you are running away from your calling because of your load of excuses, know that God already knows and He still wants you! Nothing you have done…nowhere you have been…nothing can hinder you from being used by God. He can make you into the perfect vessel for His purpose!

I do want to note that HE will make you into the perfect vessel for His purpose. You may have begun this chapter thinking, “I am DEFINITELY not the perfect mother!” Yet, God sees you much more differently than you see yourself. He sees you IN Christ… complete… covered by the blood of Christ… perfect! He does not expect for you to do anything by yourself!

I am not sure about you, but for me it is a great comfort to know that we can go to God, just as we are! He is willing to take us in just as we are. He loves to be our Teacher to give us the foundation we need to become a Biblical woman. He loves to unfold His wonderful plan for us through a step-by-step walk of faith. He loves to take insignificant people, the least of these, and make them great by using their gifts and talents in a mighty way. He loves to take those from “bad” families or “questionable” pasts to set them upon the high-places in ministry for Him! It is all grace, grace, wonderful grace!

So, what would a God like this want for us to do as mothers? First of all, His greatest desire is for us to depend upon Him! A mother who learns absolute dependence upon God will be able to truly minister to the heart of her children. His power and anointing will flow through her directly to her children. She will be the mother that God has planned!

Secondly, God wants our commitment! He does not want for us to be tossed to-and-fro with the winds of change or adversity. He does not want for us to be discouraged from the great work in our home. He wants our commitment to minister in the little things for those in our home. The greatest gifts are awaiting us within the walls of our own home.

Thirdly, God wants for us to teach our children who we are! So often, we look around at others we think are great and want to emulate them. We look at all of the things that the world says that children are to learn, and neglect to teach the greatest lessons of all…who we are! Look back at each of the women I have shared about in this chapter. Each one was chosen to mother her own child. There were no mistakes. The lessons that each mother learned through the good times and bad times were the perfect preparation for their child to step up their call! When you look at where you have come from…what you have done…and what you do know, think of all that you are as exactly what God wants for you to teach your child. Made mistakes…those help you to have more grace as your children make mistakes! Gone through crisis situations…those help you to teach your children aspects of God that they will need to know for their own life. Got a talent…use it to minister to your children and prepare them for theircalling! God made no mistakes in placing your children in your home!

Finally, seize every moment with your children! Know the importance of what you are doing! Our children are not here very long. We are loaned them for such a short period of time. That time is full as we have so much to teach and so much to share with them!

Moments are filled with training, guiding, leading, loving, nurturing, and caring for them. Yet, in every moment we must learn to enjoy them. They are not here very long. Our enemy would love for us to drift along the way without seizing these moments for all of the joy that motherhood affords to us. He loves to accuse us…to bring back memories of things that we would rather re-do in our lives…to question our qualifications…and to keep us from realizing the influence that we have in the little ones in our home.

If you are tired… overwhelmed… ashamed of your past…worried about your capabilities as a mother…whatever, know that God wants you to step up to the call. You are truly that perfect mother He has been looking for!

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