Help in the Battle

Mother's Day is behind us for another year... or is that Mother's Day is a year ahead? Either way it won't be back until next year and in between now and then is another whole year to love, cherish, and encourage the mothers in our lives, whether they be our own or the mom of someone else. We moms know that we could all use a bit of encouragement now and then, and I don't know where I would be in this journey of motherhood without my fellow moms who love and encourage me. Just last week I had a friend say that God has a hold on a particular child of mine, and He isn't letting go. It was just what I needed to hear at that particular moment because, even though deep inside moms never give up, I was feeling discouraged and defeated.

There is a Bible story where during a certain battle, as long as Moses kept his arms raised, Joshua and  the children of Israel prevailed, but when he lowered them, the enemy prevailed. I don't know if you have ever tried to keep your arms raised for an extended period of time (we did it in Sunday school once), but it isn't long before your arms and shoulders ache. Thankfully, Moses was provided a support system. But Moses' hands [became] heavy; so they took a stone and put [it] under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Exodus 17:12-13

Moms are a lot like Moses (and Joshua). We need help from our friends; friends who will support our arms when we become weary in the battle. Rather than gawk at those who are struggling, we would do good to lend words of encouragement, acts of love, and a whole lot of prayer. We can't fight the battle alone. We need each other for support.

PS. I stole a picture from my beautiful daughter. :)