Spirit – Pastor Pushie
A mother’s love knows no bounds. It always sacrifices the self for the sake of others
The Bible tells the story of two prostitutes who came to King Solomon for a ruling. One woman told how they were living alone, in the same house, and both had sons within three days of each other. But one night, one of the mothers lay on her baby by mistake, and it died. When the mother of the dead baby realised her son was dead, she swapped him for the baby that was still alive. When the mother of the living baby awoke in the middle of the night to feed her son, she discovered he was dead. But in the morning, she discovered the dead baby was not her son, but that the other woman had swapped the two. They now stood before the king arguing over which of them was the mother of the living son, and awaited his judgement.
When I first came across this story, it fascinated me. It begins by telling us that both women were prostitutes. This is very important, because even though they were shunned in society, not of noble character and single mothers, they had every right to come before the king. No matter your status, or the circumstances in which a child is conceived, a mother is a mother. Something changes when we become mothers. Whether biologically or adoptively, there’s a love that’s ignited for this human who is totally dependent on us. The prostitutes might not have had the strength to fight for themselves to be better people or find marriage, but they used everything in them to fight for a child. There’s a mamabear, a warrior spirit that rises within us, where our lives cease to be just about us and all about our babies. Suddenly, we understand what our own mothers must’ve felt.
But how on earth was the king supposed to determine who the mother of the living son was? For, this was in the days before DNA and blood tests could resolve such problems. Being prostitutes, they may not even have known who the fathers of their babies were, so there’d be no credible witnesses or ability to compare paternal facial resemblances. It would require divine guidance and wisdom. Regardless of the king’s decision, someone would be disappointed. But it would be an absolute tragedy if the baby was given to the wrong mother, because then both moms would be in mourning, having lost their biological children.
To the horror of all, the king declared the baby should be cut in half and shared. What a shocking, harsh and cruel verdict. To kill a child and deny a mother the right to the life of her baby, over a lie and false claim. And yet, it would turn out to be the wisest verdict ever. The Bible says one woman immediately agreed that this would be the fairest decision. But the other mother did something surprising. She begged the king not to kill the baby, but to give it to the other woman. In the end, the wise king told them to give the living baby to the mother who was prepared to save his life, for she was the real mother.
This was a powerful lesson that reminded us of the lengths mothers would go to. That as painful as it is to let the child go, she’d rather have it alive with someone else, than dead with her. No one knows the sacrifices that some mothers make. Staying in relationships long after they’re over, just to protect their children. Waking up every morning, making sure they start their day right, even when their world is falling apart. How we hold it together and comfort others, when we ourselves are in need of love. There’s nothing quite as powerful as a mother’s love. Even Jesus, the only begotten Son, needed a mother.
So to all the mothers out there, no matter how significant or otherwise your role in society, whether biological or adoptive; to every woman who takes on the role of nurturing another soul, be encouraged — you have the most valuable, precious and honourable role imaginable. You are necessary and your life matters. I pray you find the strength, love and support you need, that enables you to so generously give your all to others. May the Almighty God abundantly bless you. If no one ever told you, you matter, and the world is a better place with you in it.
Be blessed.
With love – Pastor P
Be encouraged – you have the most valuable, precious and honourable role imaginable.