![\"Mary](\"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Mary-Baby-Jesus.2.jpg\")
<\/a>Mothers who understand the miracle of childbirth realize all children are a gift from God and that rearing them is the most important thing they will ever do.\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s why many may feel ill equipped for the parenting tasks they face. \u00a0<\/span>In our last blog we explored how Mary, the mother of Jesus, felt the same way.\u00a0 <\/span>Yet her example for mothers can be encouraging.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAre you fearful and apprehensive?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary was. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Do you lack a high school or college education?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary did. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Do you feel you are too young to be a mother, but still you have a child?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary was young and inexperienced in the ways of the world.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Are you a single mother?\u00a0 <\/span>At times, Mary might have been.\u00a0 <\/span>Tradition indicates Joseph died since there is no mention of him after the incident at the temple when Jesus was a youth.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Are you from a working class family?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary was of humble origins and considered a handmaiden or servant. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Are you of modest means?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary was far from wealthy.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Do you realize the birth of a child is a miracle?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary did and she praised God for it.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Are you concerned about your child?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary was visibly upset when her son was missing, even though she found him at the temple.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Do you feel inadequate?\u00a0 <\/span>Mary did, but she trusted God.<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus was God\u2019s own son.\u00a0 <\/span>God must have given careful thought to choosing just the right mother for him, knowing that mothers have a great deal of influence over their children. \u00a0<\/span>Ralph Waldo Emerson once said:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPeople are what their mothers make them.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>God could have chosen a twenty-five year old, rich, educated, beauty queen to be the mother of Jesus, but he didn\u2019t.\u00a0 <\/span>He chose Mary \u2013 a young, inexperienced girl with a heart for the Lord.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n All mothers can learn from her example.\u00a0 <\/span>Mary felt ill equipped for the responsibility of motherhood.\u00a0 <\/span>She knew she didn\u2019t have all the answers, but she knew how to trust the one who did \u2013 God!<\/span><\/p>\n Happy Mother\u2019s Day to mothers everywhere!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mothers who understand the miracle of childbirth realize all children are a gift from God and that rearing them is the most important thing they will ever do.\u00a0 That\u2019s why many may feel ill equipped for the parenting tasks they … Continue reading <\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n