“Humans are wired for connection; it is essential for our survival! And this is evident from the day we are born. The connection we establish with our mothers is one of the most meaningful.” (Stephanie Russo)

From the very beginning of life, the bond between a mother and child shapes how we understand trust, comfort, protection, and ultimately love. It is no surprise then that when the bible describes God’s love, it sometimes echoes the gentleness, patience, and faithful nurture we associate with a mother’s care.

As we gather this morning on Mother’s Day, our readings invite us to reflect not only on the blessings we may have received through our mothers’ example, but also on the call for each of us to grow in our own spiritual maturity and carrying our own load.

The 2016 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) highlighted something remarkable: one of the most consistent predictors of adult church involvement and personal faith is the presence of a faithful, gentle, and encouraging example in childhood—most often through a mother or grandmother. This gentle faith isn’t showy or loud, but persistent and rooted in daily life—through quiet prayers, caring correction, and constant love.

But mothers face daily temptations too, no one is perfect! It is easy to respond in anger to defiance, to grow weary and give up when children ignore instruction, or to feel pride when their child does well. Yet, time and again, the best mothers demonstrate something greater, self-control, humility, and steadfast love. They do not always react to misbehaviour but instead respond with calm strength. In this, they mirror God’s own steadfast, loyal love to us.

In Psalm 73, David confesses his inner turmoil. He says, “Surely God is good to Israel… but as for me, my feet had almost slipped.” Why? Because he envied the arrogant and the wicked, who seemed to prosper while he suffered.

How human this is. How easy it is, even for the faithful to become discouraged, tempted, even bitter. We live in a world where selfishness is rewarded, and humility often appears to go unnoticed. David admits that bitterness filled his heart, and he was “senseless and ignorant” until he re-entered the presence of God. There, he found strength. He saw clearly: “Whom have I in heaven but you?” And he writes “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

This is the faith many of us have seen modelled, sometimes most clearly in a mother kneeling beside her child in prayer, or in the quiet conviction of someone who sows goodness even when life is hard.

In Galatians 6, Paul urges the believers not to become weary in doing good. He acknowledges the difficulty of Christian community: restoring the fallen gently, watching ourselves so that we are not tempted, carrying each other’s burdens—yet also learning to carry our own load.

We need mentors and models, yes, but we cannot lean on them forever. At some point, our faith must become personal. Not our mother’s, not our minister’s, not our friends’. Our own.

There is a temptation, especially for young adults, to either ride on the coattails of a godly parent or to throw off all that was taught in youthful rebellion. But Paul reminds us, we each will reap what we sow. We are called not to sow to the flesh: to selfishness, laziness, pride; but to sow to the Spirit. And what does that look like?

Caring for others, especially the family of believers. Loving our enemies, as Jesus taught us. Offering grace in conflict. Refusing to give up, even when it’s easier to withdraw.

When we live like this we become, together, the “pleasing aroma of Christ” in the world. This is prosperity in God’s kingdom: a church marked not by wealth or influence, but by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The freedom Paul writes about in Galatians, is not the freedom to do whatever we please, but the freedom to live as we were meant to live, in grace, peace, and spiritual fruitfulness.

A faithful mother often shows this freedom best. She does not dominate with power or control. She serves with love. She keeps no record of wrongs. She trusts God for the growth.

And she hopes, oh, how she hopes!, that the seeds she’s sowing in her child’s life will take root. But even the best mother knows: her child must one day choose to make that faith their own.

So today, as we thank God for mothers, grandmothers, and all those who nurtured us in faith, let us also hear the call to take responsibility for our spiritual lives.

Let us not envy the wicked or grow weary in doing good. Let us not live in reaction to others, but instead in response to God’s love and grace.

And let us sow to the Spirit, with hope, with perseverance, and with faith that, in due season, we will reap a harvest of righteousness: life everlasting with a God of loyal love.

 Loving God, thank You for the gentle strength of mothers and the gift of their faith.
Help us to walk humbly with You, sowing love and grace in all we do.
Strengthen us to carry our own load with joy, and to never grow weary in doing good. Amen.