Golden fall light streams through the windows. Each morning I raise the blinds on all the windows to let in as much light as possible. Dappled leaf patterns, bright blocks of light and sunshine reflecting off individual blades of frosty grass remind me how Jesus is the light to our souls and lives. Without Him, there is darkness. As I pondered the person of Jesus this morning and how His example can influence my daily life, I came across a verse that is a framework for my role as a mother and Mom Heart group leader.
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23
Jesus did three things in Galilee – He taught, proclaimed the gospel, and healed all kinds of sickness.
As Jesus was a teacher and we seek to emulate Him, therefore we are teachers as well. We teach our children about God and His character. We teach our Mom Heart groups what the Bible says about living a life of faith as a mother and we remind them that following Jesus doesn’t mean only ministry with those outside our homes or only on Sundays. Following Jesus’ example as a teacher first means teaching those entrusted to us in our homes. We teach them what God is teaching us as we read, pray and seek to grow in maturity.Secondly, Jesus proclaimed the gospel. The gospel is the good news. We proclaim the good news that Jesus died so we don’t have to have eternal death; we proclaim the good news that we can produce fruit if we abide in Him; we proclaim the good news that out knowledge about Jesus can transform into wisdom, peace and hope for the daily-ness and trials of life. This journey of life is incredibly difficult and painful at times, but if we walk with Him, He will give us peace even through the valleys. These things we proclaim to our children and our Mom Heart groups.
Lastly, while Jesus was in Galilee, He healed all kinds of sickness. What a privilege to be a part of another’s healing. We can be God’s instrument to help women find healing from heart-hurts, from deep held beliefs that are lies, from fear of asking for help, from perfectionism, and from harsh and angry habits as mothers. God may use us to encourage others to seek professional help in areas that need healing. Listen for God’s voice and step out in His wisdom, not your own. Help heal by pointing people first to the Lord.For both our children and the women in our Mom Heart groups, we can follow Jesus’ example to teach, proclaim, and heal, always from an outflow of what we’ve allowed God to pour into us.How have you seen mothering your children to be similar to nurturing your Mom Heart group in these areas?