Frances was abandoned by her mother early. She had to be responsible around the house. She grew up to be an efficient person, well able to organize and get things done. She was smart and intellectually competent. As time went on, however, her struggles with intimacy produced feelings of loneliness. Intellectual power and efficiency could not meet this need.
Psalms 145:8-9 the LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.
1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
I love hanging out with my 15 year old son. We lift weights and play soccer together. He loves to tell me the latest happenings in the sport’s world. But when he needs comfort he goes to his mom. Men can certainly express affection but there is just something about mothers.
Genesis 1:27 says that God not only created man in His own image, but also woman. If that is the case then God certainly has in His heart all that we could ever need in the way of a mother’s love.
Fathers give direction, purpose and a sense of destiny, whereas a mother’s love comforts, nurtures, sooths and expresses affection. Duty verses rest-activity verses just being.
So often in church we hear about vision and duty, the Great Commission. Maybe this is because the needs are real, the lost do need to be saved, and it really does take money to go. Maybe this is because the bulk of preaching is done by men. Whatever the reason, there is a tender side to God’s nature that we also need to know about. Can I value resting and just being with God, allowing His love to comfort me as much as I value getting things done?
1 John 4:18 says that when love is brought to completion it casts out fear. As Frances saw God’s tenderness she was able let go of her fears, risk opening her heart and allow the pain from not having a nurturing mother to come to the surface. She was able to allow God Himself to meet that deep need within her and to begin receiving His gentle loving nature.
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