family smiling
Lisa Jansen
SG Communications Director
May 10, 2023

Hey, all you mamas out there! Yes, I’m talking to you—the new mom who needs to catch a couple of z’s, the mom who is in the thick of raising her children, the mother who has stepped into a child’s life that needs you, the mom whose children have left the nest, and to the moms who are longing to be. There are many types of moms, but there’s only one you! As I was reflecting on my life as a mom, I got to thinking what exactly is a mother’s love? Is it something that we are born with inherently, have we learned it from our own mothers, or is it a gift from God? Some of you reading this may have a wonderful mom, others of you may have had a difficult relationship with your mother. Today, you will see what a mother’s love truly means.

a mother’s love is:

Powerful 

If you ask my kids if I would do anything for them, they wouldn’t miss a beat. Their answer would be yes!  Over the years, I’velisa and evan shown them that I will stand up for them and protect them no matter what. Showing your children that you have their backs means everything. Many years ago, when my son Evan was in second grade, he started having night terrors. We found out the reason behind these nightmares was his teacher at school. The morning he revealed this information to me, I drove him to school and took action. I requested an immediate meeting with the principal and his teacher and made sure that my son felt loved and secure at school and not scared any longer. I got my strength and power from Jesus that day and He equips you and me every day to take care of our kids.

Proverbs 31:25: She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Unbreakable

The bond between a mother and her child is unbreakable. It’s a connection that transcends distance, time and can weather any storm. When I think about my mom, I smile. Not only is she the best person I’ve ever known, she’s also my confidant, my cheerleader, and my best friend. If you have a mom like mine, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. If you’ve had a difficult or unhealthy relationship with your mom, there’s still an unbreakable love that will never cease—the unbreakable love of Jesus. He loves you more than you know and nothing you ever say or do will change the love He has for you and me.

Romans 8:38-39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Spiritual

From the time I was born, my mom raised me up to know Jesus. I can remember her sweet voice singing me the song, “Jesus loves me” as she did to my children when they were babies. The faith she has instilled in me has shaped me into who I am today. I’ve also raised my children to know and love God. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not an easy road raising kids to follow rules and hold fast to their faith, but as the “mom boss”, it’s the most important job you have. If you haven’t had Jesus at the center of your mom career, it’s never too late! You can start by checking out the SG Kids program at Shepherd’s Gate Church where they train and equip you and your kids to know and love Jesus too.

Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Selfless

Being a mom is all about giving. You give your time, energy, heart, soul, and love to these tiny humans that come into your life. One minute you are having a fun night out with friends and the next thing you know, your life is turned upside down into a sleepless state of being. It’s the best and the worst and everything in between. Being a mom means you are on the job 24 hours 7 days a week. It comes with a large signing bonus of hugs, kisses, dirty laundry, endless food making, and lots of toys filtered throughout your house. And even when your children strike out on their own, you’re still their mom and there for them whatever the circumstances. It’s like that with God’s love for you and me. He gives us His love all the time without any strings attached. His love is selfless and unending.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Unconditional

A mother’s love is the epitome of unconditional love. From the moment I held my first child, Elena, I was taken aback by theelena and lisa endless love I had for her. Through the years and the ups and downs of life, my love for her has never wavered. Now don’t get me wrong, there were times when I wanted to go hide in my bedroom or escape to a friend’s house to get away from the drama, but never ever did my love for her change. That’s what God’s love for us is like. It’s unconditional and never-ending. No matter what mistakes we make or how many times we screw up, His love never changes. By the way, if you don’t have a family that has supported you in the past, remember this good news: you will always have a family here at Shepherd’s Gate—the family of God.

1 John 4:16: So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

So, what is a mother’s love?

It’s powerful, unbreakable, spiritual, selfless and unconditional. It’s us—it’s you and it’s me. It’s the ones who tuck us in at night, the ones who hold us tight, that wipe our tears, fight away our fears, and love us until the end of time. It’s the person in the corner fighting for you. It’s the gift of love that God sent down from heaven. And if you don’t have that mama in the corner fighting for you today, know that there’s a God in heaven in your corner fighting for you each and every day.