Dragonflies lay their eggs on the stems of water plants. A creature that soars begins its life underwater. It sheds its skin again and again for nearly two years, it grows until the day it climbs out of the water and appears to die, a dried carcass, clinging lifeless to a stem until one last shedding reveals powerful wings and a body equipped for breathing air.
Can you see the beauty of life in Christ reflected in God’s creation? When I first read about dragonflies with my grandchildren, I couldn’t help noticing the similarities. The Bible calls us “strangers and aliens” in the world we are born into. (Hebrews 11:13) God’s voice is muted, as if we were underwater, until His Spirit awakens us and we are born again, a new creation in Christ. (John 3:3, 5-8, II Corinthians 5:17)
As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
John 3:3-6 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.3.3-6.NASB1995
The Bible says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!”
Psalms 127:1-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.127.1-5.NLT
It’s been said that mothers carry children inside their bodies for nine months but in their hearts forever. Someone else said that having children is like having your heart walking around outside our body. You celebrate birthdays, milestones, graduations and all sorts of successes with your children. You bandage boo boos and grieve over broken hearts and broken lives. What hurts your child hurts you, no matter how old they are. It’s part of what it means to be made in the image of God. When we become mothers, we only just begin to understand the depth of God’s great love for us. When our children are newborn, we are their whole world. As they grow into a whole other person, becoming less dependent on us and even beginning to push back against our authority, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that they are intended to be separate from us.
Heather Mills Schwarzen, wrote on IG@to_sow_a_seed,
“Motherhood is a long goodbye disguised as a thousand ordinary days.
Motherhood teaches us that LOVE is not a possession.
It is faithful stewardship with open hands.”
Stewardship. This one word sums up all of life for me. As a wife and mother, now a grandmother, and a disciple of Christ, as a sister, a friend, a mentor, a Sunday school teacher, a caregiver, an employer or employee, I am always stewarding a trust.
“What do you have that God hasn’t given you?” Paul wrote to the church at Corinth.
And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?”
1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.4.7.NLT
“God has made everything beautiful for its own time.
He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/ecc.3.11.NLT
My daddy gave me seeds for an herb garden for my birthday. My mom helped me pot them and water them, reminding me to keep them watered and to fertilize them once they sprouted. I watched for several weeks before the first shoots appeared but now each of the seven pots shows signs of life. God planted eternity in our hearts- a deep longing for our eternal reality- and He gives us His Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. Jesus told a story about a farmer who sowed seed in different types of soil and he told us that the seed is God’s Word, the good news about Jesus. Good soil produced a bountiful harvest. (Matthew 13:8) We have the awesome opportunity as mothers to create the environment in our homes, to orchestrate our days, and to disciple our children in Christ.
We cannot possibly know enough or be enough for these precious souls God has entrusted to us, but we know the One who is! As Mordecai pointed out to Esther, “perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this.” You and I are here- and we will be wherever we go tomorrow and the next day and the next until Jesus comes again- for His divine will and purpose to be accomplished. We are an integral part of something so much bigger than ourselves! In Christ, you and I are Daddy’s Girls- daughters of the King of kings charged with stewarding our little kingdoms so that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.”
Habakkuk 2:14 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/hab.2.14.NASB1995
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything…chooses to dwell by His Spirit in human hearts.
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.6.19-20.NLT
While the apostle Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy to join him, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. Noticing one statue inscribed ‘To an Unknown God,’ Paul took his opportunity to preach.
“God made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.
Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’”
Acts 17:24-28 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/act.17.24-28.ESV
“We’re not so very different, you and I,” Paul was saying. “We are all descended from one man, Adam.
“Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners.
But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”
Romans 5:19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.5.19.NLT
“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many.
But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.5.17.NLT
Heather Mills Schwarzen @to_sow_a_seed also wrote,
“We all want the testimony that draws people to Jesus.
Very few of us would willingly choose the road that produces it.”
Motherhood can be a thankless task. What happens to the meals you cook, the dishes you wash, the loads of laundry you clean, fold and put away? You read scores of Bible stories, thank God at meals, pray over your new driver, their first date, exams and illnesses. You stay up late and get up early. You run on fumes for decades.
“The Lord…is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/2pe.3.9.AMP
When the new generation of Israelites was about to enter the promised land with Joshua on their second approach- (these were the children who came out of slavery in Egypt because all those twenty years old and older had died in the wilderness during the forty years of wandering) before his death, Moses reminded them, “God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire.
He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you” (Deut. 9:3).
But after the struggle, the temptation of the Israelites would be quite different.
Then they will be tempted to think that, whatever their fears before the event, it was their own intrinsic superiority that enabled them to accomplish the feat.
So Moses warns them:
After the Lord your God has driven them out before you do not say to yourself,
“The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my
righteousness.”
Our temptations, like Israel’s vary with our circumstances: faithless fear in one circumstance, arrogant pride in another.
Only the closest walk with God affords us the self-criticism that abominates both.”
Read the Bible: Deuteronomy 9, Psalms 92-93, Isaiah 37, Revelation 7
Moses continues,“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
Repeat them again and again to your children.
Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.
Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The Lord your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build.
The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce.
You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant.
When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-12 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/deu.6.5-12.NLT
We must guard against the same sort of forgetfulness. The kind that says with Nebuchadnezzar from his rooftop garden in Babylon, ‘Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.’”
Daniel 4:30 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/dan.4.30.NLT
God allowed Daniel to predict Nebuchadnezzar’s fate. The author of Hebrews reminds us, “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”
The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.
If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?
At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”
The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.””
Hebrews 12:18-29 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.12.18-29.NIV
My daughter in law shared a new fact with me about dragonflies. They are very efficient predators. They actively pursue their prey with a 95% success rate. What if we pursued Christ and our calling as Christians- to go into all the world and as we go to make disciples of the nations- as if our lives and the eternities of all people still under God’s wrath- those still living in their watery environment but created in the image of God and meant for this new life- really depended on it? What if we experienced the same rate of success? Jesus said, “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.24.14.NIV
That “end” is what Jesus promised His followers, saying, ““Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God ; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:1-4, 6 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.14.1-6.NIV
So we “Trust in the Lord with all y(our) heart And do not lean on y(our) own understanding.
In all y(our) ways acknowledge Him, and He direct y(our) path.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.3.5-6.NASB1995
Emily Jensen wrote, “If we want to enjoy motherhood more, we need to enjoy Christ more.
There isn’t life in motherhood.
There is Life in Christ and that overflows in our motherhood.”
(And to everything else!)
Jesus consistently modeled what He taught. When His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, He answered with what we know as the Lord’s Prayer, including these words: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
On the night He was betrayed, Jesus led his disciples to the Mount of Olives and “There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”
He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.
Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.””
Luke 22:40-42 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.22.40-42.NLT
That’s a hard prayer to pray, especially for a mother. Luke, the physician, recounts that Jesus “prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” (Luke 22:44)
When my younger son suddenly began experiencing seizures in middle school, when medications failed repeatedly and four brain surgeries were needed, I prayed more fervently and in agony of spirit. Praise God, Jacob is more than eight years seizure free!
When I turned fifty and scheduled my routine colonoscopy, not expecting anything more than slight inconvenience and maybe a little embarrassment but received a stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis requiring radiation, chemotherapy, and two surgeries, I prayed through tears, “You know I want to live, Lord. I don’t want my story to end here. Yet not my will, Father. Yours be done. “
“But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.””
John 5:17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.5.17.NLT
God is always working. That is such a comforting thought. The older I get, the more I recognize my own limitations. My knees, even after surgery, aren’t as reliable as they used to be. I always said I never wanted to be that grandmother who couldn’t get down on the floor to play with her grandchildren. So far so good. One repaired meniscus in and I’m still going strong! I even enjoyed water sliding at Great Wolf Lodge last week with almost five year old Thomas, my oldest grandson, who is finally tall enough for all but one of the big slides.
When I received my colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2020, the same year Covid shut down the entire world, finding out that my daughter and her husband were expecting my first grandchild was such a sweet blessing- one especially suited to me in that particular season. God knew where I was, where I had been and where I was headed. He always sees the end from the beginning and He is always working, just like Jesus said.
He already knew that my son and his wife would be moving in with us this year while they build a house and that I would have an entire year to invest in my only granddaughter, Amelia Grace and her baby brother, Ezra Benjamin. He knew my daughter’s husband would be offered a job in North Carolina and choose to stay there even though it’s two hours away and that in addition to Thomas, she would have Timothy Joseph and would now be expecting their third boy, my fifth grandchild, this September. He knew my best friend would move back to South Carolina and we’d be spending more time together. He knew He’d be calling my Granny home. He even knew I’d be here tonight for a first ever Mother Daughter Tea, encouraging you to trust Him for all that you’ve got going on because He knows every last detail.
And like I’ve been teaching my almost four year old granddaughter, Amelia, who’s learning to listen and follow instructions even when no one is watching-
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ch.16.9.NLT
Do you know that Jesus prayed for you and He is constantly interceding for you at God’s right hand? (Hebrews 7:25) You can read His prayer in John 17, but near the end of the chapter, He prays words I have prayed over my own children, those I have loved, claimed as mine, or had the privilege to teach. I encourage you to pray them too.
“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me.
I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so.
Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.””
John 17:25-26 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.17.25-26.NLT
That’s the goal of motherhood isn’t it? We teach our children to recognize the voice of the good Shepherd so that when He calls, they recognize His voice and answer His call to live for Him and then to spend eternity with Him? It’s all about stewarding the trust.
What season are you in currently or I should say concurrently? As women, we are generally good at multitasking. We’ve learned to juggle several things at once. That’s how life works. You rarely get to finish one task before the next two need attention. You may start ten things this week and only finish one. A question we need to continually ask ourselves is-
What am I doing today that matters for eternity?
Parent or not, we are all tasked with sharing the good news of Jesus with the next generation. (Matthew 28:18-20)
As Paul wrote to Timothy, “I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:
Preach the word of God.
Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.4.1-5.NLT
“You must worship Christ as Lord of your life.
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
Keep your conscience clear.
Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.15-16.NLT
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/col.3.23-24.NLT
Obediently embrace God’s calling and prepare to be amazed!
Commit to know God through His Word!
Jesus said, “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”
John 17:3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.17.3.NLT
“Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.”
2 Timothy 2:15 NET
https://bible.com/bible/107/2ti.2.15.NET
Jesus promised His disciples that when “the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to remember everything I have told you.” (This is one of my favorite promises!)
John 14:26 AMPC
https://bible.com/bible/8/jhn.14.26.AMPC
Especially when we face ridicule or opposition, “God will give you the right words at the right time. (This will be your opportunity to tell unbelievers about Jesus! (v.18)
For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Matthew 10:20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.10.20.NLT
There are only two things I can actually control: my attitude and my effort. When the kids wake up on the wrong side of the bed (or maybe I do) and this seems like an impossible task, I appeal to the One for whom all things are possible!
Hymns make great prayers, especially ones etched in your mind from repetition. Pray with me now.
“Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior Divine!
Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always living in me!” ~Adelaide Pollard, George Stebbirs
Have Thine Own Way, Lord https://youtu.be/0CYI1zgiWzc?si=w4Zdpx9gvEb65j51
Stay ~Seph Schleuter https://youtu.be/eNpqHbtSG0Q?si=lo2c4BckKtctPtbo
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