Arise Spiritual Mothers!

I hope all the momma’s out there had an awesome day yesterday! Whether you’re a mom, grandma, spiritual mom, or all three, I pray that you know YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I thought it was interesting that the Lord gave me a word Saturday night in regards to spiritual mothers. He’s been speaking to me about it since and I felt led to share it on the blog today.

I heard the Lord say, “I’m calling spiritual mothers to arise. To birth Kingdom in and through my daughters. To see and call forth what I have placed within them. To rise up and take their place in raising up a generation that will worship me with their whole heart.“

The Lord is calling women – spiritual mothers, who will carry and birth KINGDOM. If you’re a mother in the natural, you know pregnancy and childbirth have their challenges. It costs you, but the final outcome is worth it. Ask any mother and they would most likely say they would go through the agony of childbirth 100x times over just to hold their child in their arms. The spiritual burden the Lord will place on you when you answer this call may feel heavy to carry at times. The laboring to birth what God is desiring to bring forth may be painful at times. But know this, the fruitfulness that will come forth in your life and those you pour into will be glorious and worth it all!

So what does it mean to be a spiritual mother? It’s really discipleship.  It’s choosing to walk the journey with someone, helping them to reach their highest potential in Christ. In Matthew 28:19-20, we’ve been given a mandate to disciple others. As women, we have a special anointing to impart as mothers. In Malachi 4:6 it says that God “will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers…”

God is raising up spiritual parents in this hour to birth a generation that will be passionate for the King of Kings! We often hear this is a fatherless generation, but I believe it’s even becoming a parentless generation. In a world where many parents are absent, physically or emotionally, and many parents are choosing the role of a friend rather than a parent, we see a generation suffering from a lack of identity and flailing destinies. God created parents to be that guiding force in their child’s life to encourage, instruct, and yes, even discipline their children so that they can grow “in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:2-4).” God, the perfect Father, role models to us true parenting by loving, instructing, and disciplining us, because He has our best interest at heart (Hebrews 12:6-11). 

For a long time, I was hesitant to talk about spiritual parenting because I’ve seen it abused through the years. I’ve seen it used as a form of control and become a stumbling block even to the detriment of others. My heart has been grieved by how satan has perverted what God meant for good. I can tell you some stories about spiritual parenting gone bad, but today, I’d rather speak about God’s will for spiritual parents. It’s important to know God’s will because we combat deception with the truth. I will, however, implore you to choose wisely who you allow speaking into your life. I will also implore you, not to enter the role of spiritual mother, parent, or mentor or even take on the task of discipling someone lightly.  It is a high calling and a great responsibility we must take seriously. Matthew 18:4-7 gives a severe warning about causing others to stumble.

Spiritual mothers or fathers should propel a person closer to God. I believe God divinely connects people. It’s not forced. Two of the healthiest examples of spiritual parenting in the Bible are Ruth and Naomi and Paul and Timothy. In both relationships, we see a more mature person encouraging, training, and imparting to a younger person for the purpose of drawing out their gifting and equipping that person in the Lord. A spiritual mother is not necessarily an “older woman” in age, but is always “mature” in the Lord. Because I’m focusing on spiritual mothers today, I’ll be sharing some truths from Naomi and Ruth’s life. You can read Ruth chapter 1 HERE if you’re not familiar with the story. 

First and foremost, Naomi had Ruth’s best interest at heart Even though it would have been painful for her, Naomi encouraged Ruth to leave her because she believed that was her only chance for a successful life. A spiritual mother always desires the best for the one God calls them to sow into. They see the potential within that person and desire them to reach it. I believe the Holy Spirit actually places a Godly “burden” upon them to call it forth. You may wonder why God keeps placing a certain person on your heart, instructing you to pray for them, or giving you prophetic or encouraging words for them. This is probably a sign you’re called to sow into their lives. I believe this Godly burden is very often, how you know you’re called to be a spiritual mother to a person.

I’m very blessed to have a wonderful natural mother, but I also have an amazing spiritual mother that has walked the journey with me for over 20 years. My natural mother was actually the one who introduced me to my spiritual mother. During my darkest times, when it seemed no one could reach me, my mom asked this intercessor to pray for me. I carried so much pain and shame at the time, that when I found out what my mom had done I was extremely angry. And yet for some reason, I agreed to speak with her. I know it was the Lord. I remember the first conversation I had with her. It was supernatural. I thought, “She understands.” I felt no judgment and I felt the genuine love of God from her. Now, I have never called her mom and have actually never even said to her, “You’re my spiritual mom.” Yet, when I look at our relationship, that’s the best way to describe it. She came alongside me in a time when I needed someone to see in me what I couldn’t. In a time when I probably would have died unless she answered the call to carry that “Godly burden” to care for and disciple me. Even when I became a healthy person, and now am mature in the Lord, God has still used her to impart into my life in so many ways. There are a few other women God has also used in my life.  I value their wisdom and experience and appreciate the love and encouragement they give to me, even as God has me impart to and mother women He places in my life. What a gift, that we can not only receive from others but pour out to others as well.

Naomi propelled Ruth closer to God. Because of Naomi’s walk with God, Ruth, a Moabite, someone considered a heathen, began to serve the One True God and her life was transformed. When Naomi told her to go, Ruth said “Wherever you go, I go. Your God will be my God.” Our lives should always point others to Jesus. Anything we impart to someone else should propel them closer to the Lord. Naomi shared her faith, her wisdom, her love, and her encouragement. And it’s important to note that Ruth was teachable. She always received the wisdom Naomi shared and we see at the end of the book of Ruth, her life was blessed greatly from receiving and gleaning from Naomi’s wisdom and instruction. Ruth ends up marrying a wonderful man of God and becomes part of the family line of Jesus. Wow! What if Naomi was like, “Ruth’s a heathen. She’ll never change. I’m not going to sow into her.” This story would be very different. I believe Naomi saw the God-potential in Ruth and drew it forth.

Just a few other points I want to share that are not necessarily found in Ruth. A Spiritual mother will always speak the truth. It’s easy to be a spiritual mother in the good times, but what about the difficult times? What about the times we may need to speak hard truths that will save others from making mistakes that may hinder their destiny? Will we follow the world’s role model of parenting and try and be a friend instead of a parent? Will we compromise the truth for our own comfort? Or will follow God’s role model and speak the truth in love? Spiritual parents are not afraid to speak the truth to those God has entrusted to them. True spiritual parents raise up healthy, strong, and passionate people of God.

A spiritual mother intercedes. A mother’s prayers are powerful. When we pray, we partner with God to see His will accomplished on the earth. We must cover all we do in prayer. I believe an important part of this carrying and birthing forth Kingdom in this hour is going to come through our intercession. Jesus asked His disciples, “Can you not watch (pray) with me for one hour? (Matthew 26:40-41)” It may be challenging in this season to find time to press in, but God is calling us into the deep with Him. Get into your prayer closet – whatever that looks like for you, and begin to pray with the Kingdom in mind. Be still and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to download His purposes and plans in your heart so that you can truly pray “Thy Kingdom, Thy will be done.” Everything God wants to do in and through us begins in our personal prayer closet.