Christmas Encouragement for MomsНамуна

A Note from Your Father to You this Christmas

As we count down to Christmas, I strongly sense God saying, “Tell moms that I love them.” How beautiful! The unfathomable God who formed the universe is also your loving Father and wants you to know how much He cherishes you.

All over the Bible, His love can be found. In Ephesians, it’s described as a more deep and profound love than can be understood. Zephaniah 3:17 says that God rejoices over us with gladness. James 1:17 shares that every good and perfect gift in our lives is from our Heavenly Father. Oh, that is so good!

How do we respond to God’s love, especially during the busyness of Christmas? How will you respond to the One who is rejoicing over you right now? Rejoicing! Who loves like that? Only Him.

In the gospels, Jesus unveiled that the most important thing to do is love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. What does it look like to love God like that? When was the last time you did that? Consistently loving Him with our all is a right response to One who adores us with a love so joyful, glad, good, and perfect! In Luke 10:38-42 (NLT), Mary of Bethany painted a gorgeous glimpse of the response that pleased Jesus:

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus’ words, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about,” deeply provoke my heart. God reveals what He’s longing for from us! His love for us is immeasurable and poured out, and, in return, He’s looking for a Mary of Bethany, one who prioritizes worshipping and abiding in Him.

In light of this, with all the Christmas decorating, shopping, cooking, and cleaning, how will you make time to abide in Him? What can you take off your plate, release to God this season, and not take back? Is it strained relationships, stressful finances, or something else?

In Jeremiah 29:13, God promises, “You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Abide in Him, and He will show you how much He loves you. Right now, He is inviting you in to surrender your heart, so He can open your eyes and show you His glory.

So I pray, “God, as you proclaim Your word over your daughters, open our eyes to your love for us. Teach us how to abide and do the one thing worth being concerned about, as Jesus told Martha. Whisper to us now how to sit at your feet, even with a wealth of tasks at hand this Christmas.”

Love,

Kristi Valentine and the Help Club for Moms Team  

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” ~ St. Augustine