The Art of Mothering

Author and Artist: Katie Wilson

Every person on this planet has a biological mother. Some of us know our biological mothers. Some of us do not. Some of us have wonderful, safe, loving memories with them. Some of us do not.

Regardless of where we find ourselves in the previous paragraph, all of us are called to “be mothered” and even “to mother.” Let me explain.

One definition of the verb “to mother” is “to look after kindly and protectively.”   Based on this definition, we do not have to have given birth or even be a woman to cultivate the art of mothering.

God mothers over us.

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you…” Isaiah 66:13 NASB

God also uses HIS children to be HIS hands and feet in this capacity.   “To mother” is to simply look after someone kindly and protectively. Looking at it this way, all children of God are called to cultivate the art of mothering.

To those who believe they have not been mothered, regardless of your age, look around. God places mothers in our lives, sometimes in the most unlikely places, people and times. Just when you think you are too old to benefit from mothering, God is ready and waiting to make the deposit!

This week the Lord spoke to me about mothering from the most unlikely Bible story.  The story is not even about a woman or a child. The story is about a King, who intentionally sought out an adult, in order to show him kindness.

Please take a moment to read David and Mephibosheth’s “mothering moment.”

An Open Table for Mephibosheth

One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan.”

It happened that a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba was there. They called him into David’s presence. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?”

“Yes sir,” he replied.

The king asked, “Is there anyone left from the family of Saul to whom I can show some godly kindness?”

Ziba told the king, “Yes, there is Jonathan’s son, lame in both feet.”

“Where is he?”

 

“He’s living at the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

King David didn’t lose a minute. He sent and got him from the home of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan (who was the son of Saul), came before David, he bowed deeply, abasing himself, honoring David.

David spoke his name: “Mephibosheth.”

“Yes sir?”

“Don’t be frightened,” said David. “I’d like to do something special for you in memory of your father Jonathan. To begin with, I’m returning to you all the properties of your grandfather Saul. Furthermore, from now on you’ll take all your meals at my table.”

Shuffling and stammering, not looking him in the eye, Mephibosheth said, “Who am I that you pay attention to a stray dog like me?”

David then called in Ziba, Saul’s right-hand man, and told him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and his family, I’ve handed over to your master’s grandson. You and your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for your master’s grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master’s grandson, from now on will take all his meals at my table.” Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

“All that my master the king has ordered his servant,” answered Ziba, “your servant will surely do.” And Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, just like one of the royal family. Mephibosheth also had a small son named Mica. All who were part of Ziba’s household were now the servants of Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, taking all his meals at the king’s table. He was lame in both feet.

2 Samuel 9 The Message (MSG)

 

David went looking for someone to show kindness to.

When he found out Mephibosheth was the orphaned son of his friend Jonathan, lame in both feet, and living in Lo Debar…

He sought after him,

took him out of the place that literally meant “place of no pasture, no hope or total ruin,”

called him by name,

gave him an inheritance

and a place at the King’s table.

David, who was obviously not a woman, mothered Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth, having a child of his own, was clearly not a child.

Have you ever been “sought after,” when living in a place of total ruin? Have you ever had someone show up and call you by name, just to show you kindness? The Lord does this for his children:

 

They will be called the Holy People,

the Redeemed of the Lord;

and you will be called Sought After,

the City No Longer Deserted. (Isaiah 62:12 NIV)

Let me share three times God sent a special someone “to mother” me:

 

1. Following the biggest mistake of my life, my “Aunt Leta” showed up. She knew my ugly   and yet served me and took care of me. She never once labeled me by my mistake but continued to call me by my nickname, a term of endearment just between us. I saw my reflection in her eyes and I actually liked what I saw.  She always saw me for my potential, not my present predicament.

 

2. After another “fail” on my part, my daddy flew out to California to pick me up. I was being sent home, yet my daddy came for me. He called me by “his” name (our last name) and stood up for me, yet never made excuses for me.  My daddy personally ushered me to where I belonged, a place where I was cared for and protected, regardless of my “lame” feet.

 

3. My freshman year of college, after a series of self-induced, unfortunate events, an unexpected sorority sister showed up. She lovingly and privately expressed concern for my “wayward walk.” She was not ashamed to share Greek letters with me and she definitely didn’t kick me out of the club, due to my “lame” feet. Her unconditional love left an indelible “mothering mark” I am eternally grateful for.

 

In each case, I was “lame”, yet “sought after,” called by name, and looked after kindly and protectively. I may not have seen it at the time, but I have been mothered well by many. They kept an open table for me. When I felt like I didn’t belong, they made sure I knew I was one of THEIRS: in a nick-name, a last name, and Greek letters.

 

Take Mother’s Day as a day to look back over your life. God is and has always been there, “mothering” you and me.

 

Who has HE used to mother you? (Biological mothers are not to be overlooked here:)

 

How can you show them your gratitude this Mother’s Day?

 

While Mother’s Day is certainly a day to celebrate those who have mothered us, may we also go a step further this year.

 

Look for opportunities on this special day “to mother” someone who may be:

 

without a family,

 

broken,

 

and/or

 

living in a place of no hope.

 

THEN

 

intentionally,

 

show them kindness,

 

give them a seat at your table,

 

and

 

bend down to wash their lame feet,

instead of expecting them to clean up before they come!

 

Be grateful for and cultivate

the art of mothering, on this Mother’s Day.

Author: Katie Wilson

Katie W. is a Memphis born, messy masterpiece, who is confident in her Creator! After graduating from Vanderbilt, she married her college sweetheart and was Huntsville bound! 20+years and 3 children later, Katie spends her moments amazed by grace, which leads to “freedom writing”, God-dependent parenting, Scripture gold-digging, “opening her mouth wide and letting God fill it”(Psalm 81:10), and running her race with perseverance, while podcasting and posting her Jesus take-a-ways. Katie serves on staff at Lincoln Village Ministries and is an active member at Church of the Highlands. She loves the ministry of reconciliation and how it reflects the heart of God and is passionate about seeing the next generation hunger and thirst for THAT JESUS! Connect with Katie and check out more of her art on her blog at Psalm8110.com.

Tags: Huntsville, Katie Wilson, Mother's Day, Our City On A Hill, psalm8110.com, Soul Food