As a mom, living the full life doesn’t take much, but it might take a lot out of you. I believe motherhood is one of the most challenging jobs on the planet. I don’t know how I could continue on the journey of motherhood without God’s word and His promises. Many Bible verses about moms are encouraging and designed to give you hope during the wonderful ride of motherhood.
That said, Mother’s Day can be one of the hardest days to walk through, whether you are a mother, you still have a mother on this earth, or you are grieving your mother or the idea of motherhood.
While a familiar role for women, motherhood is not for the faint of heart and is often a mixture of bittersweet. The journey of motherhood is different for everyone; however, moms usually go through similar triumphs and trials.
Nothing Can Replace a Mother’s Love
Growing up, I remember my mom telling me all she ever wanted to be was a mother. Then, after many years of infertility, she was where she wanted to be, married to my dad and raising me and my sister.
This mom title was even more meaningful for her because her mother left when she was just six years old. She grew up without a mom, and now she was living her dream of being a mom to her two daughters.
My mom was a stay-at-home mom from when she had my sister up until I was old enough to attend full-time school in first grade. I always remember that time in my life as one of the best times in my childhood. I loved being home with my mom and running errands with her. She also ran an in-home daycare to help with the bills; this gave me plenty of friends to interact with throughout the day.
A lot of my mother’s teaching included telling me stories about her childhood and sharing her belief in God. Now that I am a mother of three young adults, I have more appreciation for my mother and her sacrifices as I grew up, throughout my life, and even now.
There Was More To Motherhood Than I Knew
Growing up, I wanted to have ten children. While my parents would chuckle every time I told them about my bold dream to have so many kids, all I knew then was that I wanted to be a mom just like my mom. However, I did not have ten kids; I had just three kids, which is still a lot.
When I became a mom, I remember being shocked to realize motherhood would be an endless job. It was not just a commitment for eighteen years; motherhood was for life, and at that moment, I felt overwhelmed.
Mothers Are Important
For most women, motherhood is THE dream. Nurturing and caring for our little humans is at our core. A present mother comforts and cares for her child. Even mother figures will take on the role of “mom” and be there for the kids in their lives who are searching for a mother’s strength and teachings.
The truth is not everyone experiences a mother’s life-giving teaching. An absent mom can cause many wounds and trauma in a person’s life. I know that being a mother and the presence of having a mother (or not having a mom) can be full of every emotion.
- From being a mother, I know it is not an easy job, and there is a lot of pain and heartache to overcome, along with the joy we will have just being with our kids.
- Seeing my mom go through life without her mom was difficult and taught me a lot about the importance of being a present mother.
- I am also a daughter, and I understand the difficulty you wrestle with when you grow and become an adult, but you still need your mom.
Motherhood is not easy, and there are no perfect scenarios. No one has the ideal experience as a mother or a child. It is safe to say no one stops wondering how to improve their relationship with their mother or become a better mom.
However, this Mother’s Day, you can turn to the Bible for comfort, strength, and words to show your mom love and honor.
There is no doubt that we all love our moms. Even in the disappointment and the trials, we strive to have that connection and to mend the brokenness.
Below are Bible verses on motherhood and what to say to all moms on Mother’s Day.
What To Say To Your Mom Who Is Still In Your Life
It is important to honor the moms who are still there—the moms and mother figures who have given everything to be in your life.
In the book Anatomy of the Soul, Curt Thompson says, “Even though you cannot change the events of your story, you can change the way you experience your story.”
Honoring your mother will strengthen your story and your connection with your mom. Here are some things you can say to the mom who is still in your life.
Mom, I want to honor you by ________.
- Taking you out to dinner.
- Mowing your lawn.
- Paying a bill for you.
- Making your dinner.
- Taking you to the movies.
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” (Deuteronomy 5:16) – Ephesians 6:2-3 (WEB)
I appreciate how you _______ when I was _______.
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.” – Isaiah 66:13 (WEB)
Mom, I appreciate and hold onto the wisdom you have given me throughout the years.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her – Proverbs 31:26-28 (WEB)
Thank you for teaching me about Jesus and how to live a life worshipping Him.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6 (WEB)
Mom, thank you for working so hard to make our home a safe place for me.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. – Proverbs 31:10 (WEB)
What To Say To An Absent Mom
It is not always easy to have grace-filled thoughts when pain invades your memories of your mother. However, God’s love can guide you toward living out your genuine faith even when your mother is not in your life.
Here are a few life-giving words you can say to your mother, who is not entirely in your life.
I love you and hope we can overcome what keeps us apart.
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. – Matthew 5:44-45 (WEB)
I don’t know why you left, but I am open to hearing your story at a place and time that is safe for both of us.
Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. – Romans 12:17-18 (WEB)
Mom, I forgive you.
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but until seventy times seven. – Matthew 18:21-22 (WEB)
What To Say To Someone Who Wants To Be A Mom
The desire to become a mom will often consume your heart and mind. There are many questions, and it requires a strong faith to be present and trust God. But strength is formed in the waiting.
Here are some things you can say to yourself or someone wanting to be a mom.
You are not walking this journey alone. God is with you, and He knows your heart’s desires.
Also, delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4 (WEB)
No matter what, always remember that God has a plan and a purpose for your life.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11 (WEB)
I hear that Mother’s Day is not easy for you, and I know that trusting in God right now feels hard, but I am here for you if you want to talk.
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. –Proverbs 3:5-6 (WEB)
What To Say To a Mom That Is Hurting
Loss exists for all moms, but the loss is not always the same.
I was surprised by the loss I felt when I kept seeing my children “grow and go.”
- Go out
- Go to a new home
- Go to a new place
- Go on vacation
- Have new friends
- and build a new life
It wasn’t what I expected motherhood to be.
Then there is the loss of a child and every moment of grief you can and cannot fathom. It’s very likely someone you know is hurting and struggling with loss this Mother’s Day.
Here are some things you can say to a mom who is hurting.
I know this is not how you wanted this to turn out, but God knows where your heart is, and He is with you.
Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. – Psalm 55:22 (WEB)
Remember to rest and reset. You don’t have to work harder or prove anything to anyone; resting is worship.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (WEB)
Can I pray for you?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (WEB)
I don’t know what to say, but I am here for you.
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10 (WEB)
Encouraging Bible Verses For Moms
No doubt, being a mother is filled with great joy. A wise woman knows she needs to open her eyes to the great blessing and responsibility motherhood brings. Thankfully, you will never have to walk through motherhood alone.
One truth that brings me great comfort during the ups and downs of motherhood is knowing that God is the perfect Father, and that didn’t prevent His creation, Adam and Eve, from falling into sin.
As hard as you might try to be the perfect mom, create meaningful experiences, and follow every rule, scripture, and instruction—motherhood is hard, and we are humans—our children are humans. We all need the love of God to be present in our life. As humans, we all need to know God and how to follow Jesus.
As a woman of strength, you are called to submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance over your life and motherhood.
Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. – Psalm 127:3-5 (WEB)
Brenda Bradford Ottinger once said, “God has no grandchildren.” This powerful statement guides us moms in that we must teach our children about faith—how to have faith, walk in faith, and live by faith.
While you may be a mom for the rest of your life, your son or daughter will not always have you in their life.
I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth. – 3 John 1:4 (WEB)
As a mother or a mother figure, it is vital to tend to your own heart and faith walk. Listening to God’s faithful instruction will bless your life and your children’s lives.
Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments. His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed. – Psalm 112:1-2 (WEB)
Doing noble things requires courage. Mothers endure some of the most trying times and major hardships, but they find purpose in living a life of integrity and walking with The Lord.
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him. – Proverbs 20:7 (WEB)
God’s promise to mothers is this: We can rest in Christ’s compassion and kindness, and our faith will carry on through generation after generation.
But Yahweh’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts. – Psalm 103:17-18 (WEB)
Sincere faith in God and knowing Jesus are the best ways to train your child in the way they should go. Motherhood does not promise a smooth life, but your faith walk will teach your children how to endure everything that comes their way.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6 (WEB)
Living The Full Life Doesn’t Take Much, But It Takes A Lot Out Of You
Just know that you are not alone, and your effort matters. Sometimes, it won’t feel like it, but your greatest responsibility will always be growing in your walk with Christ and learning from The Holy Spirit about how to live the fruitful life of motherhood.
So, while you enjoy breakfast in bed and read your handmade Mother’s Day card this year, remember the One who holds you through it all. The unfading beauty of motherhood is seeped in prayer and knowing your Savior.
Motherhood is hard. But now, I understand motherhood’s messy, beautiful role on a deeper level because I have been traveling this neverending path for almost 26 years.
The longer I am a mother, the more I pray and lean into my faith. I don’t know how I would walk this road without Jesus. The greatest Mother’s Day gifts have been the ones I received from The Lord. They are full of compassion, wisdom, and guidance from His Word and grace.
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