My oldest daughter recently had her third child, Huxley Charles Lamb. He was born on 1-23-24 at 4:44; her hospital room number was 444 at St. Francis Medical Center.

Coinciding with this event, I decided to be involved in an online virtual session on the book of I Thessalonians. The first and second chapters made references to nursing mothers. My inductive study led me to notes and messages to examine and be reminded of God’s love for us.

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 1:3

Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. I Thessalonians 2:7-8

I witnessed “labor prompted by love” through the loving care of my daughter and her husband as they prepared to bring Huxley into the world. A mother gives her very life to nourish her infant. All the sleepless nights, exhaustion, worry, and ability to put her child first over her needs is unbelievable love poured forth. This love builds healthy attachments and trust.

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. Psalm 22:9

What is this love we are capable of? We are only capable because God first loved us. His love, His light is our source of strength to labor. His prompting and love allow us to love when loving is problematic or, in our minds, undeserved.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Isaiah 49:15

I adore this verse from Isaiah! Even when you feel overlooked or unloved, God never forgets you. He desires a deep relationship with you and finds immense joy in you. He is intricately involved in every aspect of your life, from the smallest details to the most significant events. During my journey to a work-related event, I keenly felt God’s presence. The rental car bore my dad’s initials, a lone star shone in the early morning sky, and I sensed His companionship as I witnessed the sunrise. It was a single day, a solitary moment, and yet God was so tangibly present, like a mother tending to her crying child in the gentle dawn light, providing love and nourishment.

There is an expression in our world, “I got you,” in response to someone asking for help. I love hearing it, and I love saying it. My friend, He’s got you.

Link to podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anna1936/episodes/As-A-Mother-Comforts-e2f0md3