"SPIRITUAL MOTHERING"

by Susan Hunt

A book report:
I am learning so much from a book called "SPIRITUAL MOTHERING" by Susan Hunt. Have any of you read it?  It is based on Titus 2.  Elizabeth Elliot says this of the book: "This is a fine treatment of a subject very close to my heart. May older women heed the call to mother the younger and may the younger women be teachable". She uses many stories to help bring the point home.

I wanted to share a few quotes that have hit me so far.

"As a women's growing desire to imitate God produces obedience to His Word, she developed mothering characteristics, Our femaleness gives us the capacity for mothering; Our faith produces certain characteristics of mothering.  Some characteristics we see from the Scriptures are strength, excellence, tenderness, generosity, desire to nurture, comfort, compassion, affection, protection, and sacrifice."

Later she is talking about a life of obedience and mentions often mothers feel defeated....."Christian women are not immune to this.  A four letter word causes us enormous problems: SELF.  Our self-inclination will send us reeling unless we have settled the core issue: What is our self-purpose?

Once God's glory is our purpose, than we have a center point to which we can relate each decision and each situation.  SERVITUDE simplifies life. Servitude is not easy. 

Obedience is not a one time decision.  Obedience is a life-time discipline.  But it does bring a simplicity to life because it settles the issue of who is in control.  It enables us to decode he confusing events in our lives.  When a woman is absorbed with God's glory, she will interpret her life according to His truth.' About spiritual mothering (mentoring): "Whatever the degree of involvement and however the relationship works itself out, the command is clear.  Older women are to encourage and equipped younger women to live for God's glory.

It does not seem to me this optional. Tiptoes was not told to teach those women who are interested in signing up for this course.  The command seems to be inclusive.  That the older women in the congregation were to be taught how to live in accordance with sound doctrine so they could train the younger women- no exceptions."

On submission..."Submission is an attitude of humility. Submission is being concerned about the interests of another rather than looking after our own interests.  The world tells women that submission is foolish and renders us powerless, Scripture tells us that submission gives access to the power and protection of God."

"Only a passion for God's glory can overpower our self interest.  Submission is simply being empty of self, and this is the key to enduring relationships."

"When a woman realizes the power of her loving acceptance of her husband and makes an all-out commitment to be his COMPLETOR and not his COMPETITOR, he reaches heights he could never attain without her."

Oh, this blesses me so much.  Ladies we have such a wonderful opportunity we help each other grow in so much!  God has blessed us with each other.