Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon

    Recently, a female friend of mine asked me to outline a talk to be given at a woman's conference. She was speaking but does so rarely, I was not, but do give presentations. She's the type that prefers something specific to read from so I agreed to help. Her topic was a short reflection on a biblical model of motherhood.
    Now, her time was limited to 10 minutes, AND it was an Anglican (more evangelical) event. So gone were the pages and pages of offerings from the catechism on Mary as an option. I did throw something in there of course. Gone also was an opportunity to wax theological on multiple elements of the verses and what they imply. This had to be to the point and able to be digested in a few minutes.
 You actually want to be a mother?!!
    My very first "official" sermon, as a protestant of course, was on mother's day. I had almost forgotten the themes I pored over years ago. As I did a basic topical study and wrote some points out for my friend, I was reminded of what a hugely honorable and important calling motherhood is said to be in scripture.
     Nowadays, here in the West and in other aging and largely secular Judeo- Christian cultures (some) such as Europe, motherhood is rarely on the desired occupation lists for younger women. There's not a whole lot wrong with the other options of course, such as a career or other self interests. But the IDEA of motherhood had been put down, seen as oppressive or too hard according to modern thinking. Something that strips one of their personal freedom instead of giving new freedoms to engage. Something that gets in the way of finding love, instead of enhancing true love and offering new dimensions of it. Such as sacrifice for example. Not to mention the miracle of participating in God's creative process in regards to souls and then passing on faith.
 What's so special about it?
    Rather than pen an Op Ed (as a man) and mention all the reasons why motherhood is fabulous. I'll just let the scripture verses refocus the basic concepts. As if continuing the human race, bringing likely Christians into the world, saving western civilization and enjoying the fruit of your loins isn't enough.
 So while you get your tea, coffee or beer you can play Urge Overkills version of Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon (from the movie Pulp Fiction, which in no way is edifying regarding motherhood) Below:

 

So here's some of the outline:   Cheers ladies! (and gents)  >

 

Scripture Douay Rheims Bible Translation (just to irk modernists)

Proverbs 1:8-9 DRB

[8] My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: [9] That grace may be added to thy head, and a chain of gold to thy neck

Isaiah 66:13 DRB

[13] As one whom the mother caresseth, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Proverbs 6:20-23 DRB

[20] My son, keep the commandments of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. [21] Bind them in thy heart continually, and put them about thy neck. [22] When thou walkest, let them go with thee: when thou sleepest, let them keep thee; and when thou awakest, talk with them. [23] Because the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life

2 Tim 1: 5 DRB  

[5] Calling to mind that faith which is in thee unfeigned, which also dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am certain that in thee also.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 DRB

[6] And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart: [7] And thou shalt tell them to thy children, and thou shalt meditate upon them sitting in thy house, and walking on thy journey, sleeping and rising.

Gen 3:20 DRB

[20] And Adam called the name of his wife Eve: because she was the mother of all the living.

Luke 1:41-44 DRB

[41] And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: [42] And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. [43] And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Luke 2:51 DRB

[51] And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.

Proverbs 31:10-31 DRB

[10] Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. [11] The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. [12] She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. [13] She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands. [14] She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar. [15] And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens. [16] She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard. [17] She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm. [18] She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night. [19] She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. [20] She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. [21] She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments. [22] She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering. [23] Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land. [24] She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite. [25] Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day. [24] The Chanaanite: The merchant, for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a merchant. [26] She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue. [27] She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. [28] Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. [29] Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. [30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. [31] Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.

Scriptural themes

-Mothers hold a special place and calling with God, often used as literal and metaphorical examples of God’s love, tenderness, honor and blessings.

The highest example is God’s decision to involve Mary in the human process of birthing and helping to nurture Christ the God-man. As the angel says to her in scripture “blessed are you among women”. God amazingly decides to involve a “mother” in the bringing of Himself to humanity for redemption. Jesus could have decided to descend on a pillar of fire with the heavens ripping apart! But instead took the humble role as Christ child in the flesh to bring his power, truth and salvation to the world.

-Mothers, as stated in the book of Timothy and referred to multiple times by Paul and Peter (a woman can even convert her husband!), are evangelists, help form disciples and play important roles in serving the church. “Passing the faith on”.

-Mothers are teachers. A special gift of the spirit.

-Prov. 31 pretty much states that a mother is a powerhouse of the home and city, starting at home and emulating outwards in waves of influence!

-Mothers are held to standards in the bible. In many descriptions of Godly mothers in scripture there are exclamations to have a fear of the Lord, reverence (doesn’t mean they can’t have fun!!) and Christian virtues. These lead to their highly influential role and place of blessing and honor.

Reflection: Motherhood was the second calling given to humanity (women) right after Adam’s (Gen. 3:20.) This was a spiritual motherhood as well as a biological one. The bible shows us it’s a calling of blessings and honor and one that should be taken with great responsibility for its importance to God. Spiritual and biological motherhood is a powerful and effective paradigm for witness, evangelism and teaching. One of the highest callings in scripture.

   Motherhood is a mission and a gift. One that first stems from our relationship of being a daughter of God.