Orthodox Forge

Devotionals · 3 days

Motherhood in the Ancient Faith

Motherhood is a precious gift from God bringing immense joy and fulfillment to many women. Explore how God honors motherhood through Scripture and the Early Church Fathers in this 3 day devotional from the perspective of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Discover the joys and challenges of motherhood, the significance of nurturing our children, and the spiritual importance of motherhood in God's plan for humanity as taught by the Ancient Faith.

First published on YouVersion by the Coptic Orthodox Church. Read this plan in the Bible App

  1. Day 1

    Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:27-28 LXX; Psalm 126:3 LXX; Galatians 6:9 NKJV

    The Beauty and Blessings of Motherhood

    Motherhood is one of the most beautiful and meaningful experiences that a woman can have. The blessings of motherhood are numerous, and they often extend far beyond the mother-child relationship. As a mother, you have the unique opportunity to shape and mold the next generation and to be a vessel of God's love and grace. From the moment a child is conceived, a mother's life is forever changed. She carries her child within her, nurturing and protecting them until they are ready to enter the world. And once her child is born, she continues to pour out her love and care, guiding them through life's ups and downs.

    The joys and challenges of motherhood are part of God's plan for growth and development. Motherhood can be a refining process that helps us to grow in our faith and become more like Christ. As we navigate the ups and downs of motherhood, we can find comfort and strength in the promises of God's Word.

    The Bible is filled with examples of godly mothers who trusted in the Lord and left a lasting legacy. One such example is Hannah, who prayed fervently for a child and promised to dedicate him to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 1:27-28 LXX, she declares, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord has given me my request that I asked of him. And I lend him to the Lord all his days that he lives, a loan to the Lord” Hannah's faith and devotion to God is a beautiful example of the blessings of motherhood.

    In the Bible, we see how God designed motherhood to be a blessing. In Psalm 126:3 LXX (127 MT), it says “Behold, the inheritance of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb.” God blesses mothers with the gift of children, and through them, mothers experience the joy and wonder of watching their child grow and develop.

    The Early Church Fathers also recognized the importance of motherhood in the Christian faith. In his Epistle to Polycarp, Ignatius of Antioch writes, “For every one that is of God, and doeth righteousness, is fashioned after the image of God. Forasmuch then as ye are, in the midst of an untoward generation, yet not corrupted by evil desires, ye must needs be a matter of rejoicing to me, who am about to depart [to the Lord], if [indeed] I shall find a fit ministry; that I may, by your means, be refreshed in the Lord.” Ignatius emphasizes the importance of raising children who are fashioned after the image of God and who are not corrupted by evil desires.

    But motherhood is not without its challenges. It can be exhausting, frustrating, and at times, overwhelming. However, it is in these moments that we can turn to the writings of the Early Church Fathers for inspiration and guidance. St. John Chrysostom, for example, wrote, “What greater work is there than training the mind and forming the habits of the young?”

    As mothers, we have the incredible privilege of shaping and molding the minds and hearts of our children. And through the challenges and struggles of motherhood, we can grow and mature spiritually. In Galatians 6:9 NKJV, it says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” We can trust that God will reward our efforts and our sacrifices, and that through motherhood, we can experience the beauty and blessings of His love. As we reflect on the beauty and blessings of motherhood, let us give thanks to God for this special calling. Let us also remember that the joys and challenges of motherhood are part of God's plan for our growth and development, and that we can find comfort and strength in His promises.

  2. Day 2

    Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV; John 15:13 NKJV; 1 John 3:16 NKJV

    The Sacrifices of Motherhood

    Motherhood is a sacrificial journey that requires physical, emotional, and spiritual sacrifices. As mothers, we often put the needs of our children before our own, and we willingly make sacrifices for their wellbeing. However, these sacrifices are not in vain, and they are a reflection of God's sacrificial love for us.

    As we reflect on the sacrifices of motherhood, we can turn to the life of Jesus as our example. In Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV, it says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus gave of Himself sacrificially for us, and in doing so, He showed us the depth of God's love.

    The Bible tells us that “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (John 15:13 NKJV). As mothers, we lay down our lives for our children every day, and this is a powerful demonstration of love. Our sacrifices are not always easy, but they can lead to spiritual growth and maturity.

    In the same way, as mothers, we can show our love for our children through sacrificial giving. In 1 John 3:16 NKJV, it says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” We can lay down our lives for our children by putting their needs before our own, by sacrificing our time and energy to care for them, and by modeling selflessness and compassion.

    The Early Church Fathers recognized the importance of sacrifice in the Christian faith. In his Epistle to the Philippians, Polycarp writes, “For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, he is antichrist; and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross, is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan.” Polycarp emphasizes the importance of confessing the testimony of the cross, which is a sacrificial act of love.

    As we reflect on the sacrifices of motherhood, let us reflect on the sacrifices you have made as a mother and the sacrifices of the mothers around you. Let us remember that these sacrifices are not in vain, but they lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Through the sacrifices of motherhood, we can grow and mature spiritually. We can learn to trust in God's provision and care, and we can deepen our understanding of the sacrificial love of Jesus.

  3. Day 3

    Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

    The Legacy of Motherhood

    As a mother, you have a powerful influence on your children and future generations. Your children are a reflection of your faith, values, and character. The impact of motherhood is far-reaching and can shape the course of history and the impact of a mother's love and influence can be felt for generations to come.

    In Proverbs 22:6 NKJV, we read, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” This verse highlights the importance of passing on faith and values to the next generation. Mothers play a critical role in this process.

    Mothers have the opportunity to instill values such as love, compassion, and generosity in their children. These values can have a lasting impact on the world around us. As mothers, we can shape the future by investing in our children today. But leaving a positive legacy isn't just about passing on faith and values. It's also about the example that we set for our children. We can inspire them to be compassionate, generous, and kind by modeling these behaviors ourselves. Our actions can speak louder than our words and leave a lasting impact on our children and those around us.

    The Early Church Fathers also spoke about the importance of leaving a positive legacy in the Christian faith. St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” This quote reminds us that we are called to rise above our challenges and leave a positive legacy for future generations.

    The importance of leaving a positive legacy is echoed by the Early Church Fathers. In his Homily 46 on the Gospel of Matthew, St. John Chrysostom writes, “For nothing is so powerful as the good influence of a mother. She, when she has borne and brought up a child, has borne and brought up a citizen and a member of the Church.”

    Reflect on the legacy of motherhood and the impact it has had on your life or the lives of those around you. Let us remember that as mothers, we have the opportunity to shape the world by investing in our children today. Let us also recognize the profound impact that mothers have on their children and future generations. Let us honor their legacy by continuing to pass on faith, values, and a spirit of love and kindness. May we leave a positive legacy that brings glory to God and inspires future generations to do the same.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.