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Spiritual Mothering has had a profound impact on my life and it can impact your life too. I recently married for the second time; I work full-time as a self-employed sales agent, representing several companies. At my church, I am the team leader of Women’s ministries. As PresWIC President, I am in touch with several women and their local ministries. All this to say; I too understand busy, hectic schedules. So, why is spiritual mothering important to me? Why do I continue to prioritize my time so I am able to meet with other women, pray and be their mentor?

Within the first few months of becoming a Christian, a man about my age, came up to meet me after our Sunday worship service. After a bit, he motioned to his wife to come and join the conversation. I recall thinking to myself at the time – “Oh, Lord, you’ve got to be kidding me – what could I possibly have in common with this woman – there is no way we could be friends! After all, I am a single, independent, career-oriented, businesswoman who has places to go and people to see. Lord – she’s a stay-at-home mom, who does home schooling (whatever that is), and just look Lord... she’s so ‘plain’!!”

As we chatted, they invited me home for lunch. I couldn’t think of a reason quickly enough to decline the invitation…so…I went with them!

While sharing lunch with her family I noticed a warmth, a love in this woman and her home, like I’d never seen before. As I departed she insisted that anytime I was working in the neighborhood that I was to pop on by for a visit. Intrigued, curious, and touched by the invitation I decided I would take her up on it. Over the next few months to a year, I’d pop by her place. Sometimes we’d have a lovely, quiet cup of tea together, other time the visit centered around helping her home-school, peeling potatoes for their dinner, washing dishes together, all the while she’d turn our focus to Christ. She listened to my stories of the day with great intent and she’d point to God at work in it all and encourage me in my daily devotions and prayers.

Another couple I met early in my Christian faith went to extraordinary lengths of mentor me. They lead a small group in their home for new believers. Each week, after the rest of the group had long since gone home for the evening, you’d find us sitting in their kitchen, till the wee hours of the morning answering my never ceasing flow of questions. As the years passed that friendship deepened and to this day she is still my best friend who leads by example, shares her weaknesses and rebukes me when necessary.

Both of these women came from backgrounds very different from mine. Yet somehow I knew these women had a lot to teach me, If only I’d allow myself to be teachable.

The third spiritual mom who God brought into my life was a woman twenty or thirty years my senior who, I was very surprised to find out, had as colorful a background as I did. This woman allowed herself to be open and vulnerable enough with me that I felt she’d be able to understand my pains, mistakes and questions, and I felt safe enough to share them with her. I found great comfort knowing that she had successfully walked with Christ through valleys that I found myself in. To this day we e-mail and send cards and she always invites me to be her roommate at conferences, such as this one we’re at today. Though I don’t have a large quantity of time with her, God has used our moments together to encourage me forward in His ways.

And now I find myself opening my home, being vulnerable with women younger than me and those new in the faith. I share my stories, my struggles, and my possessions. I remember the love that was unselfishly poured into my life by so many women and, in turn, I feel privileged to pour my life into others.

Spiritual Mothering isn’t necessarily a course or a book to study. It’s something that happens when we invite the Holy Spirit to guide us through life and we walk in obedience. When we take the time to open our lives (the success and the failures) to others it supports others and encourages them to press on and finish the race well.

Am I always the one mentoring? No, sometimes my spiritual daughters mentor me back. I too have bad days that seem hopeless and feel dashed by the weight of the world. Sometimes, I am miserable and dying inside. Then, out of the blue, for no reason at all, I receive a voice message or a cheery email like this one just last week:

Dearest Auntie Ev,

Just wondering how your day went. I hope it was good. I am so excited and am greatly anticipating the women’s retreat. How’s Uncle Dave? Today I went to work and I just filled my day with many little details. It was with the grace and mercy of God as always. I am so thankful for the love God pours down on us so unconditionally. I like it how Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:29 “we are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.” Going retreats such as the one we’ll be attending teaches us as women to be good ambassadors. Anyhow, I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow and may the glory of God always shine on your face.

Blessings and Love always,
Avy

Why am I so convinced there is deep wisdom in God’s plan of older women teaching younger women? Because, I was a ‘Younger Woman’ who needed older women to model Christianity to me, women to help me work out faith issues and my behavioral patterns, from God’s perspective. I needed someone to teach me how to love, how to be a Christian woman – I needed to see how faith works out in day-by-day life experiences, and I still need my spiritual mothers. I am privileged to share my life with others.

Reprinted with permission from WIC Resource.

Evelyn Roberts is currently the PresWIC President of Eastern Canada. She is a stunning example of the importance of women having a Titus 2 ministry in the lives of other women. Evelyn was an adult when she became a Christian, but she married quickly. One reason is that women came alongside and spiritually mothered her. The church is richer because of the investment these women made in Evelyn.