CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 No two Moms are alike. Don’t believe me? To


be convinced, look up these women in the Bible: Naomi (Ruth 1; 2; 3:1); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:9-18,24-28); the Widow of Zare- phath who fed Elijah during the famine (1 Kings 17:8-24); Elizabeth (Luke 1:6, 41-45); and of course Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and others. No two are alike — none parented the same, each had their own challenges, and each have their own story from which we can learn.


What makes them admirable? Their passion


for God is what makes them admirable. Women, we are kindred to them because of the same love and passion we have for God. They exemplify that a foundation built on God is the source for strength, wisdom and fortitude in every aspect of life — and may I say especially motherhood. The best parenting book ever is the Word of God!


My Mom was not a perfect Mom and neither


was I. Comparison had me measure my “success” as a Mom to others and the lie that they were just better at it. I once wrestled through the grief of my not-so-great parenting. I did learn and accept that I did the best that I knew to do and not ev- erything was as awful as the lies of my comparisons led me to believe. By living steadily in a deep love and abiding trust, I knew God would make sense of my mistakes and my not-so-perfect parenting. By placing my only child, my lovely daughter in the hands of God, God worked out in her whom He created her to be. She has grown to be a woman of God, loving her husband and children as her best work. She also lives in a place of hope, through a deep, abiding love and trust in Jesus (Ps. 71:6). She lives in the knowledge of His Word.


Sweet Mom, you have been fearfully and won-


derfully made! Challenges will arise. We will not be as godly as we’d like to be at times. We will sin. We will make errors of judgement. Be careful not to push aside God’s grace and love. Stay in the Word by read- ing the Word. Find a mentor. Pray. Love. Place your trust in Jesus to do the best you know. Do your best work. Do not let failings get the best of you. Failing does not mean disqualification. It does not mean you are doing less than your best. Your failures do not de- fine you. Sometimes our best work comes from them.


“They exemplify that a foundation built on God is the


source for strength, wisdom and


fortitude in every aspect of life. ”


Honor the mothers in your own life. To my Mom,


you’ve been gone now over 30 years. I honor who you were, in the best of all you gave me. I desperately miss you. I love you still. And to my daughter, you are a delight. You indeed are doing your best work. I love you and I am proud of you!


And finally, let us give thanks to God for so intri-


cately weaving us into the mothers we have become. Remember, He knows you and has known you since your mother’s womb. The Psalmist wrote it well: “For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well” (Ps. 139:13-14 nasb).


Michelle Wilkinson currently provides leadership for Women’s Bible Studies at Community Bible Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Before moving to Nebraska, she served in various church ministries; provided counsel, mentorship, and women’s ministry training; taught Women’s Bible Studies, and was a featured speaker at women’s events such as retreats, conferences, and other special events. She’s married and has a daughter and two grandsons.


FELLOWSHIP FOCUS, APRIL/MAY 2021 16


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24