When I think of motherly figures, I think of tenderness, cuddles, tickles, and teaching moments. As I get older and wiser, I add sacrifice and fatigue to that list. I don’t often think of the true sacrifice that some mothers face. Those tough moms are the daring, bold, brave mothers who sacrifice the unthinkable for their children. Here are the tales of four tough moms we should be more like…
Four Tough Moms We Should Be More Like
Moses’ Mother (Exodus 2:1-10)
Moses’ mother was in an awful spot–give her son away or watch him be destroyed by an evil king. She hid him for three months, probably cringing every time he cried. She chose to put him in a basket on the Nile River. What sacrifice! She had no reason to believe that she would ever see him again. She must have thought of the dangers of crocodiles or drowning, yet she stepped out in faith and let her son go. Thankfully she was awarded the privilege of continuing to nurse her child, even though it was unknown to others that she was his actual birth mother. Even still, she had to make the heart wrenching sacrifice of letting him go again when he was weaned and the princess needed her no more.
Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2:11)
Hannah wanted a child desperately. When she finally received what she wanted, she offered it (him) right back to God! My son is 10. I can hardly imagine what it would be like to let him go live somewhere else, even if he was being trained to serve God. How hard it must have been to see the one thing she wanted more than anything to walk away, knowing he would be in her house no more. Yet she cried out to God and REJOICED!
Mary (Luke 1:26-2:52)
When Mary accepted Baby Jesus into her womb, she risked her marriage. At the time, she was perhaps even risking her own life because of the severe punishment of unwed mothers. Nevertheless, she accepted the angel’s news. She even sang and REJOICED!
While Jesus was still young, she was warned that He would pierce her heart. Can you imagine the sting that she felt as she followed Him to the cross? It’s unfathomable.
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35 ESV
My Son’s Birth Mother
My son is adopted from China. We don’t know much about his birth story because of the way the Chinese people do adoptions. We do know that he was left in a train station. While this sounds awful, the truth is that Chinese people can’t arrange for adoption the way that we do. The only way for them to “arrange” an adoption is to leave their child somewhere.
If this still sounds horrible, more facts might paint a better picture. You see, my son was turning blue. His birth parents knew something was wrong and they most likely had no way to help. Chinese people don’t have health insurance readily available to them, especially for the poor. Leaving her son was probably the only chance she had to get him the help that he needed. Like Moses’ mother, she was forced to leave him or watch him die. My son was left in a well populated place so he could be found quickly and get the help he needed.
Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel for her, for her sacrifice. I cannot imagine how it ripped her heart out. I am overwhelmed by this act of love that resulted in her never getting to be with her son again on this earth. This ultimate act of love resulted in great joy for me and life for our son. I pray that one day she and our son can be united again in Heaven. I pray that God comforts her.
What Do These Four Tough Moms Have in Common?
By now I am sure you have guessed what these four tough moms have in common…sacrifice. That is putting it mildly. It’s one thing to sacrifice; it’s an entirely different thing to sacrifice years with your children. These four tough moms had to say goodbye to their children early and sacrifice the time they longed to spend with them.
These four tough moms had to say goodbye to their children early. Click To TweetIt scares me even to write this thinking that I might be called to some similar kind of sacrifice. I don’t foresee any reason I would have to give my children up, but life takes some crazy turns. We never know when a child might get sick, or even we might become ill. I choose to be optimistic and have faith, not fearing whatever lurks behind every dark corner. Our God is bigger than that. We don’t have to live in fear, but treasure the precious gifts he gives us each day.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
We Are Tough Moms
What Does Sacrifice Mean for Us?
There are all kinds of sacrifices that we might be called to make when it comes to our children. Hopefully we don’t have to give up raising our children as some of these moms. But there are other sacrifices that we need to prepare for…
- When your child wants to participate in a mission trip that you can’t go on
- When your child begins to spend more time away from home and you must place your trust in them and what you have taught them
- When your child goes off to college or to get a job
- When your child grows up to be a missionary in a far off land
- When your plans for your child don’t line up with God’s plans
Prepare Now
Our children are just on loan to us from God. Click To TweetAs mothers of young children, we still have the illusion of having some control. Actually, our children are just on loan to us from God. We are blessed by the time we have with them. Our job as a tough mom, however, is to prepare these young ones to leave our nest and thrive. One day, whether it be now or 20 years down the road, our children will be out on their own. We will have to make the sacrifice. We need to be preparing ourselves and our children for this big moment.
- Pray over them
- Study the Word with them
- Teach them how to build relationships
- Live the example of someone who relies on God in an ever changing world
You are a tough mom. You can do this!
Who is your favorite tough mom? What do you admire about her?
Susan Evans says
It’s hard to remember that our kids belong to God more than they belong to us as parents.
Susan Evans recently posted…Government Activity Books for High School
Andrea says
“train up a child in the way…” – Prov. 22:6 – actually, I wish that Mrs Brady would have been my mom 🙂
Kristen @ Kandy Apple Mama says
I love this! It reminds me of the judgment of Solomon and the sacrifice of the birth mom that didn’t want to see her child killed. As parents, we sacrifice sleep, alone time, personal life, money, etc. to give it all to our children.
admin says
You are right. That story is another great example of this!
Brittany |Memoirs Of A Good Thing says
My kids love the story of Moses so we talk about it often. She was faced with the fear and uncertainty of placing her child in the water against the certainty that he would be killed if he was discovered. My what a place to be in. Sacrifice is never easy especially when it comes to our children. Like Kristen, I also love the judgement of Solomon and the birth mom that saved her baby! Wow…a Mother’s love is a powerful thing =)
Sarah says
What an inspiring post of stories we need to remember always. Thanks for posting this.
Aileen says
I love this list of tough moms! The examples in Scripture of these women, who were strong in the Lord, are an encouragement to me. I also love how you tie it all in at the end with sacrifice.
Scott LaPierre says
Hi Tara,
Those are great examples. I think they’ll be an encouragement for any women this Mother’s Day who read this. I also thought of the widow of Zarephath whose son died and she went to Elijah to have him raised. Regarding the sword piercing Mary, the crucifixion obviously comes to mind, but I think of the way Jesus said, “Who is my mother?” when she came to visit. The way Jesus chose the Savior/Sinner relationship over Mother/Son must’ve been tough.
Scott LaPierre recently posted…Embrace marriage struggles!
Beka says
I’ve always admired Moses’ mom and her story has increased my faith. It’s amazing how God brought Moses back to her in such an unexpected way.
I pray that if I was faced with the loss of my son that I could walk through it with faith and grace. It would undoubtedly take the work of God in my life!
Beka recently posted…On Loss