When it was time for the Savior to be born, God used a woman! He used an ordinary woman to walk in an extraordinary calling. Mothers, regardless if they’ve birth a child or loved a child birthed by another, are ordinary women with extraordinary callings. There is a unique cross that mothers are called to bear.

The cross of motherhood is filled with highs and lows. The cross of motherhood is filled with ups and downs. And even Mary, the mother of Jesus, had to bear the cross of motherhood.

If anybody should have been exempted from suffering in motherhood, it should have been the Virgin Mary. If anybody should have been exempted from the tears of motherhood, it should have been the Mother of our Savior. However, even Jesus’ mother, had to face her share of challenges. We can learn a great deal by looking at how Mary bore the cross of motherhood!

The News of Motherhood (Mary is Pregnant):
In Luke 1, Mary receives unexpected news. Miraculously she is pregnant through the power of the Holy Ghost! Mary, a young lady, ordinary in all fashions, discovers she has an extraordinary calling. Mary’s life was interrupted by God’s plan. The news caused Mary to be fearful and troubled.

However, regardless of her feelings Mary chose to worship (Luke 1:46-55). We can learn, like Mary, to always choose worship. We can never go wrong by choosing to worship our Lord, even in the uncomfortable times of our life.

The Reality of Motherhood (Jesus’ Birth):
Mary had just experienced the beauty of birth, but the seriousness and responsibility of motherhood had to be sinking in. Mary had a beautiful, perfect baby, but she didn’t have much to offer Him. There was no room in the inn for her baby; He had to be born amongst animals. Mary probably wanted more for her baby boy. He deserved to be born in a palace and wrapped in fine linens, but that’s not what she could provide.

Mary did not complain! (Do everything without complaining or arguing. Phil. 2:14). Instead, Mary used to the fullest what God had blessed her with. She wrapped her baby in swaddling clothing and placed Him in a manger. She simply used what she had. We should use what God blesses us with and take on an attitude of gratitude!

The Fear and Concern of Motherhood (Jesus is Missing):
When Jesus was 12 years old, his family was traveling home from Jerusalem, and Mary noticed that Jesus was missing. It took them three days to find Jesus, who was in the temple teaching. Can you imagine the fear and concern that gripped Mary these three days? As mothers, regardless, if our children are young or old, near or far, we always carry them in our heart. We remain concerned about their well-being. They continuously pull at our heart strings! Although, Mary was the mother of the Savior of the world, she was not exempted from the fear and concern of motherhood.

When Mary finds Jesus in the temple teaching, in Luke 2, she expresses her feelings to Him, but she is not ruled by her feelings. We will do well to live by Proverbs 16:32, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Controlling our feelings and emotions enables us to embrace our children even while correcting them.

The Accomplishments of Motherhood (Jesus’ First Miracle):
Jesus’ first miracle in John 2, was greatly influenced by His Mother. Mary knew Jesus’ potential; she knew He was a miracle worker, before He ever performed His first miracle. She pushed Jesus into His destiny. Just like Mary, you have great influence in your children’s life. You have the ability to push them into their destiny. Jesus went on and performed the miracle, at his mother’s urging. Can you imagine how full of joy and pleased Mary must have been, as everyone was gushing about her Son’s miracle of turning water into wine? Truly a high of motherhood is witnessing our children’s accomplishments.

Remember, just as Mary had influence on Jesus, you too can influence your children at any age!
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
so are children born in one’s youth. –Psalms 127:4
Aim, position, and propel your children into their God designed destinies!

The Pain of Motherhood (Jesus’ Persecution):
Mary the mother of Jesus had to witness her baby – her innocent baby, her perfect baby, who was without sin, being tortured and hung upon the cross of calvary. She had to witness Him ridiculed, she looked upon His battered and bruised body; and all she could do was watch from afar. She could not intervene nor help; she had to watch Him suffer.
There are times in our life when we watch our babies suffer. We may have to watch from afar and see our grown children struggle with life, see them in trouble, yet have no ability to change their situation. That is the strength of a mother!
There are some mothers who have loss children and can relate to Mary on much greater level. God truly created mothers special. He created mothers with the tenacity and strength to weather the highs and lows of motherhood. He created mothers with the ability to daily carry a cross!
While Mary looked on, as Jesus was upon the cross, Jesus left her with these words in John 19:26-27, “Woman, Behold thy son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Son, behold thy mother!” So today, carry your cross of motherhood by beholding or embracing your child!

Behold your child, whether they are big or small, young or old. Behold your child, whether they are saved or unsaved. Behold your child, whether they are on the road to success or lost and confused. Behold your child, whether they are straight or gay. Love your child, embrace your child, encourage your child!
And if you are blessed to still have your mother, like Jesus told the disciple, “behold thy mother.” Don’t take time for granted, love your mother, care for her, and cherish her.