Years ago, I met a beautiful lady called Julia (fictitious name) who shared with me her life’s story and the desires of her heart. Julia grew up in a little village where incest was common and she had been sexually abused by her own father for years. As she reached adolescence, she decided to leave her home for a better life. Sadly, her life became worse in every aspect. When I met her she was the mother of four children and was expecting her fifth one. She said, “I’m ashamed of my past but at the same time I am thankful that somebody shared with me the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. There is nothing in my life that my children don’t know about it. I not only told them of my sufferings as a child but also the failures and wrong decisions I made on my own. I asked them to forgive me and promised them that with God’s help, I would be the mother that they deserved to have.”Then she added, “My heart aches for the children of the village where I grew up. I would like for them to know the good news, that Jesus loves them, and, if possible, I would like to start a place where they would be able to come to a safe space where they would be fed, clothed and find their true value.” Then, feeling a little awkward she asked me, “Do you think I qualify to do it? Right now I have nothing but concern for the children.”
We prayed together and I told her, “God knows your heart; He will qualify you and provide for you to fulfill the task and according to His will, you will become the person God created you to be.”
She went back to her village after many years being away. To make the story short, Julia forgave her father and prayed with him before he passed away. Today Julia feeds about forty kids, twice every day in a safe environment. Now her burden is for their parents to have an encounter with Christ, leaving behind their wicked ways and treat their children for who they are: Blessings from God worthy of love and respect.
Julia has five children (three adults and two under 12) and a loving husband who supports her in every aspect. Her children learned to love and respect a mother that decided to turn her life around not only for her own sake and her family but to serve others with the same love of Christ who extended His hand and took her from the dark place of rejection, loneliness, shame and hopelessness. Julia is a woman that always has a kind word and a smile to sooth the pain of others.
As I was thinking about Mother’s Day, Julia came to my mind. I would say that the words written by King Solomon describe her in many ways: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31:10-12, 17, 20, 26, 30-31
I wanted to share Julia story, in a few words, to encourage anybody, women and men alike to lift up your eyes from your past and present situation as painful as it could be and to set them on Jesus, the One who came to earth bringing the Good News of salvation, a new life, hope and restoration if we leave our old ways, ask God for forgiveness and new direction in life. The decision is ours!
Mother, I want to encourage you be the woman God designed you to be asking daily the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to be the wise woman who builds up her family with her example and words. Do not give up praying for your children and grandchildren. God has a purpose for each of them just keep trusting Him.
Children, honor your parents always. This is not a suggestion coming from me, it is a commandment from God “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 5:6
The Bible commentator, Matthew Henry adds: “The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every age prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents. The duty of parents. Be not impatient; use no unreasonable severities. Deal prudently and wisely with children; convince their judgments and work upon their reason. Bring them up well; under proper and compassionate correction; and in the knowledge of the duty God requires.”
Be blessed!
Pastor Eliana
