By Marianne Mauti
The Mantle of Motherhood
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| My beautiful Mommy, Mary! |
While most women would rather not send their children to a day care center, the pressure to provide the material things that other families have can sometimes seem overwhelming. Some women believe sending their children to 'early learn centers will give their children a social and educational advantage.
It goes without saying that all of the options available to parents today have made it easier for women to relinquish their motherhood role to people who may be good at their job, but can't possibly share the love and concern for each individual child like a mother would. The pressure to leave the raising of children at and early age to those who are more qualified has led to Government institutions pressing for legislation that could eventually require parents to enroll their children in public education start government at the pre-school age as early a 2. It has been proven that children absorb more information and begin their personality and character development in the first 5 years of their life. These are called the formative years! It is so important for mothers to recognize how important they are in raising well adjusted children who will become well adjusted adults!
Those of us who have had the privilege of becoming a mother understand what a great responsibility it is. Children aren't something we squeeze into our lifestyle, they are our lifestyle. Women who have decided to make the financial sacrifice and stay home to raise their children have fallen under a new type of scrutiny and criticism. They have actually been accused of setting aside their dreams and their future. I find it interesting to see the obvious media bias against women who decide to place their children at the center of their life and see them as the fulfillment of their dream!
Women were created and specially designed by God to give birth to children and be mothers. We were chosen by God to assure that the human race will continue on until God closes that chapter of eternity. During that 9 months of growth and development, there is a bond that develops between a mother and a child that cannot be naturally explained, because it is a spiritual bond. Even though the human body does't fully form till the end of a pregnancy, the spiritual bond takes place the moment the woman knows she is carrying a child. Embracing motherhood and everything that goes with it is seen today as denying your rights. This cultural fear drives the abortion industry. Included in that fear is:
1. Your freedom is over
2. Your dreams will end
3. Your children will never appreciate your sacrifice
Young and mostly unwed mothers are persuaded not to carry to term, even though there are so many couples who have not been able to have children. A child is only an obstacle that needs to be removed! If you think that the world is going to support your decision to have your child and embrace the role of a mother, you are sorely mistaken. You are gong to have to find your source of strength and conviction in your faith and dependence on God. When you do, you will find your true worth, value, fulfillment and joy!
Your value and worth as a mother will never come from the world, it must come from within! When the mantle of motherhood is placed upon you, embrace it with your whole heart!
It goes without saying that all of the options available to parents today have made it easier for women to relinquish their motherhood role to people who may be good at their job, but can't possibly share the love and concern for each individual child like a mother would. The pressure to leave the raising of children at and early age to those who are more qualified has led to Government institutions pressing for legislation that could eventually require parents to enroll their children in public education start government at the pre-school age as early a 2. It has been proven that children absorb more information and begin their personality and character development in the first 5 years of their life. These are called the formative years! It is so important for mothers to recognize how important they are in raising well adjusted children who will become well adjusted adults!
Those of us who have had the privilege of becoming a mother understand what a great responsibility it is. Children aren't something we squeeze into our lifestyle, they are our lifestyle. Women who have decided to make the financial sacrifice and stay home to raise their children have fallen under a new type of scrutiny and criticism. They have actually been accused of setting aside their dreams and their future. I find it interesting to see the obvious media bias against women who decide to place their children at the center of their life and see them as the fulfillment of their dream!
Women were created and specially designed by God to give birth to children and be mothers. We were chosen by God to assure that the human race will continue on until God closes that chapter of eternity. During that 9 months of growth and development, there is a bond that develops between a mother and a child that cannot be naturally explained, because it is a spiritual bond. Even though the human body does't fully form till the end of a pregnancy, the spiritual bond takes place the moment the woman knows she is carrying a child. Embracing motherhood and everything that goes with it is seen today as denying your rights. This cultural fear drives the abortion industry. Included in that fear is:
1. Your freedom is over
2. Your dreams will end
3. Your children will never appreciate your sacrifice
Young and mostly unwed mothers are persuaded not to carry to term, even though there are so many couples who have not been able to have children. A child is only an obstacle that needs to be removed! If you think that the world is going to support your decision to have your child and embrace the role of a mother, you are sorely mistaken. You are gong to have to find your source of strength and conviction in your faith and dependence on God. When you do, you will find your true worth, value, fulfillment and joy!
Your value and worth as a mother will never come from the world, it must come from within! When the mantle of motherhood is placed upon you, embrace it with your whole heart!
The Mantle of Motherhood
A 'mantle' is an important responsibility passed on from one person to another. God passes the important responsibility of motherhood to you when your child is born. You assume the mantle love, nurturing, protection, teaching and training of God's greatest creation! Giving birth to a child is where it all begins, but simply giving birth does not make you a mother, it makes you a parent. Only a lifelong commitment to motherhood makes you a mother. Embracing your mantle is a choice!
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| My husband Joe with all three of my amazing kids! |
I have blessed to know many women who have embraced their role as mother and have benefited greatly over the years with their love and support. It is important to surround yourself with like minded women. There is so much that they cn teach you! Having a great support system can help you through the times you fell unappreciated and alone in your circumstance.
I have also been blessed to know many spiritual mothers! These are women who embraced the mantle of motherhood for individuals who may never have had the love and affection of a real mother. They are also used by God to assume the spiritual motherhood role for young christians who the Bible refers to 'babies in the faith'. They teaching and train young Christian women what the bible has to say bout their role as a wife and a mother. This is a vitally important part of a healthy christian and a healthy church!
"And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:4-5
Motherhood From God's Perspective
God definitely has a perspective on motherhood and child training. God sees the process of growing physically and spiritually differently than we do because he knows every life in its totality, the beginning from the end. He understands the uniqueness of each and every person because He created each one of us with a divine purpose. No child is an accident, even one of them is known by God!
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nation." Jeremiah 1:5
"But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace," Galatians 1:15
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when s yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16
The Bible makes it very clear that God was behind our creation, He is intimately involved in our future plans. He knows what will bring us fulfillment because He created us for a purpose! When he passed the mantle of motherhood to us, he expected us to affirm His position in our children lives and teach them his ways! The responsibility for the spiritual health and well being of your children will bring success in their entire life.
Because God is our Father, He doesn't necessarily share our sentimental view of motherhood. While he delights in children, He sees them as sharp arrows, weapons in the hand of a mighty man! God tells us to desire children who will contend with the enemy in the gate. It is natural for us to delight in the little things with our children, it is part of our natural love for our children, but God is asking us to to love them beyond our need to receive their love, in order to teach them Godly principles and discipline! Yes, we must teach them the love God has for them, but we also need to encourage them the importance of walking in Gods divine plan for their life.
Because the enemy does not particularly want them to come into the fullness of their earthly calling , motherhood will sometimes require a supernatural love, grace and emotional strength! "Because of your adversaries, you have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants to silence the enemy and the avenger." Psalm 8:2 God wants us to raise up natural and spiritual children who will silence that enemy! Wrap your mind around that next time you feel your role as a mother isn't that important!
It doesn't matter to God whether you have given birth naturally or through adoption, you are a mother! At times it may seem overwhelming! Each one of them need individual time and attention. Structure and discipline are necessary in forming godly character, but every child is different and unique! What works with one child may not work with the others. Regardless of the method the bible is very clear that we are responsible and answerable to God for what we have done!
"train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6.
Who They Are in Christ
It is our job to instill in our children 'Who They Are in Christ' and give them the faith, courage and conviction they will need to help them in the world. It is important for our children to become Christian adults who:
WHO... are victors and not victims of their circumstances.
WHO... believe that all things are working together for our good.
WHO... understand the power of their words bring life or death to every situation.
WHO... understand the mercy and forgiveness of sin and recognize that sin has it's consequences.
WHO... values every life and recognizes that all life is precious Every person important to God.
WHO... are victors and not victims of their circumstances.
WHO... believe that all things are working together for our good.
WHO... understand the power of their words bring life or death to every situation.
WHO... understand the mercy and forgiveness of sin and recognize that sin has it's consequences.
WHO... values every life and recognizes that all life is precious Every person important to God.
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| My greatest treasures! |
Children will have many other relationships as they grow into adulthood, but there will never be any one else in the whole world like you! Yet there will be many times where you feel that what you do on a daily basis will never make a difference. “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help Mom with the dishes.” Some days the 'dishes' of life are the only thing we see and we lose sight of the really important things you do on a daily basis. Even when there doesn't seem to be any sense of awe or wonder about your life and you may not feel the slightest bit glamorous, to the little one you hold in your arms, you are everything!
Your child is completely dependent on your willingness everyday to put their needs above yours! At the very heart of the gospel is the word SACRIFICE , and there is no other calling in the world so intrinsically sacrificial as motherhood! James Elliot famously said,"He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose." Motherhood provides you a daily opportunity to lay down all of the things that you thought were important, that you cannot continue to keep, on behalf of the life given to your charge that you can be a part of forever!
The Nature for Nurturing
You Have the Nature for Nurturing.The Apostle Paul referred to motherhood when describing his ministry to the Thessalonians. He said," ..we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thess. 2:7-8.
'Caring for' means, a literal act of comfort or nurturing. When you embrace the role of motherhood, you long to press your child to yourself. To protect, comfort and ease their pain. Fathers have an important role in the life of their children, but nurturing is a special gift of motherhood. That is why it is so important for the mothers and fathers are integral in training children! The family unit was designed by God to be the perfect balance for the growth of well adjusted children.
His Grace is Sufficient
No one ever said it would be easy! From the moment your child arrives, the world as you have known it will be turned upside down ! Being a good MomIt requires a great commitment on your behalf. The challenge begins the moment they are born but God promises He will supply you with the grace you need! The Bible is full of narratives of mothers who had to deal with many of the same difficulties we face everyday. They continue to give us the faith and confidence we need to press on.
No one ever said it would be easy! From the moment your child arrives, the world as you have known it will be turned upside down ! Being a good MomIt requires a great commitment on your behalf. The challenge begins the moment they are born but God promises He will supply you with the grace you need! The Bible is full of narratives of mothers who had to deal with many of the same difficulties we face everyday. They continue to give us the faith and confidence we need to press on.
The Widow of Zarephath struggled with putting food on the table.(2 Samuel 24:24) Whether you are a single mom or a family facing economic hardship, we can draw strength in knowing God will provide for us. When we give God what He requires we can always trust in His ability to provide whatever we need from Him.
The Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:28) reminds us that we must be persistent as she was when she pleaded with Jesus on behalf of her child. Jesus granted her request because He declared, "Dear woman, your faith is great." Embracing the hardship doesn't mean we expect it to overcome us, overtake us or win. It is accepting that hardships will come, when they do, we will persevere through them. We will never give up! No matter how difficult our child is being, how awful the situation may seem. Regardless of how deeply they may have hurt you, as we remain persistent in our prayers for them, God will heal and restore your relationship.
Mary the mother of our Lord and Savior of course showed us the courage and strength of a mother who embraced the most difficult hardship life can bring to a mother. Mary had to watch her son die, a pain that had to have been so intense, that she surely must have felt it as though it were happening to her. Grief is a part of the healing process and she grieved the loss of her Son, but she also rejoiced in the resurrection of her savior. She went on living. For those of you who have had to embrace the loss of a child, their is a season of grief that you will go through, but with the strength of the Holy Spirit you will come to the other side of your despair and your loss and once again go on living just as Mary did. You can once again experience joy, comfort and peace because you know and believe in your heart that because He lives, they also live and someday you will see them again!
The Bible shows us that while we live here on earth, we all face difficulties and endure hardship. Parenting can and will at times be the source of both. There is no denying the very real, emotional aspect our human experience, but it is worth it all! The important thing to remember is that you are not alone! God's grace (his divine enablement) , His counselor and comforter (the Holy Spirit) and His Word (all the wisdom and knowledge the creator felt we would need and could understand) is available to you whenever we need it!
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| Nothing can compare! |
There is never a day that goes by that I regret spending the years my children were growing up focused on their needs and teaching them the truth of Gods Word! I thank God for trusting me enough to give me 3 little lives, I thank Him for the strength to say and do the things that were necessary but not always popular to say and do! I thank God for the privilege of having children in different ways, giving birth to two of them and taking me halfway around the world to find tour third one. Finally, I applaud those of you who have made motherhood (physically and spiritually)y our priority and the mothers who have set aside their personal plan's for God's role of wife and mother!
If you are struggling, trying to fill the role of motherhood on a part time basis, I challenge you to take a step of faith and let God show you the joy and fulfillment of motherhood. God will provide for all your needs as you pursue His plan for you and your children. He will give you the grace you need as they are growing and pushing boundaries. He will comfort and guide you in every manner that pertains to your children. Rest in the knowledge that God knew your child while still in your womb and he has a plan for their life!
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FORGING YOUR FAITH
To 'Forge' something, is to mold and shape something for suitable use. We believe that our lives are constantly being shaped and molded by the hand of God for His divine purpose! This publication strives to encourage believers who are beginning this process and those who are well into it! We also believe a truly successful life is a Christ-Centered Life! We hope you will join us and become a regular reader!
Thank You and God Bless,
Marianne Mauti
Founder and CAO
'Forging Your Faith' is the online Christian publication of 'Christ the King Church' in Bellevue, Pa.
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com ***********************************************************
ARTICLE RESOURCES
ARTICLE RESOURCES
* The Bible
*Dr. George R. Beninate: Is Bishop of "Christ the King Church" in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Doctor of Theology, Biblical Apologist, conference speaker, lecturer and my spiritual father.He is also the Author of several books including,"The Age of Glory", Thank you for your relentless pursuit of truth!
