4 Things We Learn from Paul about Mothering

 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

A missionary bachelor seems an unlikely place to find principles about motherhood. Yet, we also know he was inspired by God. He considered those he taught the gospel to his spiritual children. So perhaps, we might learn from him after all!

4 things we learn from Paul about Mothering

Be gentle with them

 ^“But we were gentle among you” says Paul. Gentleness of course stems from love but also from knowing the ones we are shaping. These little ones are tender, impressionable, and precious. Growth generally does not come from harsh care but gentle care.

Love them

The ESV renders this phrase, “affectionately desirous of you,” but I like the NIV: “Because we loved you so much.” Sometimes we get caught up in teaching or disciplining or organizing and forget the simple yet vital task – to love our children and show them that love. God is love, and we love because he first loved us. May we also learn to love our children as He loves them and us!

Share the gospel with them

Paul describes it as “we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God.” I have been entrusted with two stewardships – that of the gospel and that of my children. We might teach our children how to shoot a free throw or cast a fishing lure or bake – but unless we have shared the gospel, we haven’t really shared with them at all.

Share our selves with them

“We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves.” Mothering at its essence is an exercise in unselfishness. We (ideally) learn to share all the parts of ourselves – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually – to help sustain our children. And as we share ourselves, we also begin to discover that they share their own precious and tender hearts with us.

Photo by Alex Pasarelu on Unsplash