January 18,2023
Daily Devotion:
"Like A Mother's Love"
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
But we were very gentle with you, like a mother caring for her little children. Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us!
When Paul wrote his letter to the Greek Church in Thessalonica, he could think of no greater way to describe his love for the people than to compare it to the love a mother has for her children. Not only was he gentle as their leader, but he loved them so much he poured his very life into them. What but Terrible description of a mother's love is there? All who birthed a child understand full well that there are challenges to being a parent. Children can be difficult and needy. No wonder Paul considers the greatest character trait of a Christian to be love, and goes on to describe it in terms and phrases like kindness, not self-serving, not easily angered, always protects, and always hopes (see 1 Corinthians 13).
In some cases, children are difficult because they are needy and fragile. The good news is that God bestows special strength and comfort to those who comfort others like the mother who comforts her child. (See 2 Corinthians 1:2-5.) But at the end of the day, as you pour your life into your children, know that a special blessing from God awaits you. May you hear in your heart what was said of Jesus' mother: “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you” (Luke 11:27 NKJV).
