I am a Mother, Bridesmaid, & Midwife
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:2
Some may look at my life and pity me given all I’ve missed in a typical American woman’s life. I am 48 years old and never had children. I was abandoned by two husbands. I have never been asked to be a bridesmaid. I have never hurried to the hospital to hold a friend’s hand as she gave birth. I have never walked beside a friend through her pregnancy. I have probably only been to one bridal shower, and I can’t remember if I ever attended a baby shower. But God’s Spirit has shown me I am a mother. I am a bridesmaid. I am a midwife. And I am the Lord’s forever!
I am a spiritual mom to His children He calls me to walk beside to love, encourage, and help in their walk with Him. Though I once wanted to adopt children, I now see all the time I might have spent raising kids is His instead so I can help raise His children spiritually.
I am also a spiritual bridesmaid. A bridesmaid helps the bride prepare for the wedding so she can be her very best and very most beautiful. The bride of Christ is His Body of those who believe in and devote their lives to following Him. God uses me to help prepare Christ’s forever bride.
I am a spiritual midwife. I help birth people into the Kingdom of God as an evangelist who shares the Gospel verbally and in writing every opportunity the Lord affords me.
Though I am no longer married, and do not have children, nor receive invitations to weddings or run off to the hospital to help friends give birth, I am humbled beyond measure by how the Lord has chosen to use me.
I don’t feel sorry for myself that I have missed so many experiences most American women have. I feel blessed beyond measure.
For every ounce of my heart, love, time, and care I might pour into living such a life, as beautiful as such a life can be, is HIS instead. I am wholly devoted to loving and serving Him forever and to helping people to become and remain forever followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a spiritual mother. As a spiritual bridesmaid. As a spiritual midwife. Most importantly of all, as wholly HIS. For eternity!
Are you His? Have you truly given the Lord your whole heart and life? Are you holding anything back? Are you holding onto a dream that is yours but not His? Are you frustrated your life hasn’t turned out the way you wanted? Is Jesus Christ Lord of your life? Are you living as though He really is? Following Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven, but it’s not ONLY about heaven. Following Him is about living for God forever! Are you?
(Adapted from a devotional I wrote in 2014.)