Watching from my computer, I see a mommy hummingbird hovering over a nesting ball I put up for her. She is busily pulling out its white pieces of fluff. I watch as she stuffs her beak as full as she can before darting off to the place she has chosen to raise her babies! She returns time and again, diligently working to build her home. I watch almost trance-like as she tirelessly works. I am fascinated by her instinctive ability to know what she is to do. She is diligent in the task God has given her to do!
And I think, “Am I being diligent in the tasks God has given me to do as a mother? What are the tasks I need to be diligent about? What is being a mother all about?” Yesterday I read a quote on a blog by Rudyard Kipling. He wrote:
“God couldn’t be everywhere so He made mothers!”
God has put into a mother’s heart compassion and love for her newborn child. She fiercely desires to protect her little one. She finds that motherhood is not easy and requires many sacrifices. There are challenges along the way; and battles to be fought to protect and grow up her child. She hears God call to her to show His love to this child and to be His arms to comfort him and to use her mouth to teach him God’s ways. Most important of all, she hears God’s promise to help her as she works to bring up her children. She trusts in Him to accomplish His will. He doesn’t leave her alone in this most important task!
Sometimes, though, we forget His calling and the promise of His help as we fall under the responsibilities of motherhood. There will be times we fall and fail; but, if we are diligent in our mothering, we will again rise up and continue on. As we learn to rely on God’s love and wisdom more, we will see His work being done in our children’s hearts. Sometimes it is hard to accept, but we must come to realize His work is done in His timing, not ours. How we wish our prayers for our children would be answered quickly! We must not grow discouraged, but remain faithful in our prayers for God is working even when He is silent!
