The Shepherd’s Care for Mothers ~ The Paths Worth Following
One of the sweetest parts of Sammy and His Shepherd1 is when Sammy's little friend, the sheep who had an uncaring shepherd, is purchased by the Good Shepherd and brought safely into His pasture. He gives her a new name, Precious, and restores her life. Together, Sammy and Precious discover that following the Shepherd is always the safest place to be. They don't know where every path will lead, but they have learned to trust the One who does.
Isn't that exactly what our Shepherd patiently teaches us as mothers?
Motherhood has a way of exposing every weakness. It reveals impatience we didn't know we had, fears we try to hide, pride that wants to have all the answers, and exhaustion that leaves us wondering if we're enough. Some days we feel capable and confident. Other days we replay our failures and wish we could start the day over.
Into that weariness comes one of the sweetest promises in all of Scripture:
He restores my soul.
Our Shepherd never asks us to restore ourselves before coming to Him. He doesn't wait for us to become better mothers before He draws near. He comes with mercy. He revives what is weary, steadies what is shaken, and gently brings wandering sheep back to Himself. His grace meets us long before we deserve it.
Sometimes that restoration begins with repentance.
Perhaps you spoke harshly to your child today. Perhaps fear shaped your response instead of faith, or frustration spilled over into angry words. Maybe you simply feel the weight of not measuring up.
The Good Shepherd invites you to come to Him honestly. He forgives, restores, and strengthens His children. His mercy is never exhausted.
What a gift it is when our children see that grace at work in us. One of the greatest lessons we can teach is that mothers are not always right, and that Christians know how to repent. When our children hear us say, “Will you forgive me? Mommy sinned,” they begin to understand the gospel. They learn that following Jesus means confessing sin, receiving forgiveness, and walking in restored fellowship with God and with one another.
But the Shepherd does more than restore us. He leads us.
Notice that David doesn't simply say the Shepherd shows us the right path. He leads us in it. Sheep don't find their own way; they stay close to the shepherd. Their safety isn't found in knowing every turn in the path but in trusting the one who walks before them.
What comforting news for mothers.
There are countless voices telling us how to raise our children. Books, podcasts, social media, and experts all have their opinions. While many of these can be helpful, none can replace the voice of the Good Shepherd. He has not left us to be parents by instinct, emotion, or cultural trends. He lovingly leads us through His Word, where we learn what is true, what is good, and what pleases Him.
As we open the Scriptures each day, God quietly shapes our hearts before He shapes our parenting. He teaches us to speak with gentleness and discipline with love. We learn how to forgive generously, persevere patiently, and trust Him with what we cannot control. Most often His leading isn't dramatic. It comes through the ordinary, faithful habit of sitting at His feet and allowing His Word to renew our minds.
The Shepherd also leads us through worship.
Each Lord's Day, God gathers His people to Himself. As we praise Him, confess our sins, hear His Word preached, and receive His promises, He gently redirects our hearts. Worship reminds us of who God is, who we are, and what is ultimately true. In a world constantly pulling our attention in every direction, corporate worship places our feet back on the paths of righteousness and teaches our children that nothing is more important than walking with Christ.
As mothers, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is letting them see that these paths matter to us. They notice whether God's Word shapes our decisions. They see whether worship is a priority or merely an option when nothing else is scheduled. They hear whether our conversations are marked by gratitude or complaint. Long before they imitate our parenting, they imitate our discipleship.
Before we can lead our children well, we must first learn to follow well.
David concludes by saying that the Shepherd leads us “for His name's sake.” What a comforting reminder. Our hope does not rest in our ability to follow perfectly but in His faithfulness to keep leading us. Because His name is at stake, He is committed to completing the work He has begun in us.
And as you faithfully follow the Shepherd—day by day, through His Word, in prayer, and in worship—your children are quietly learning to follow Him too.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Where do you most need the Shepherd's restoring grace today? Is there someone from whom you need to ask forgiveness? How is the Shepherd inviting you to walk more closely with Him through His Word and through worship this week?
PRAYER
Father, thank You for restoring my soul and faithfully leading me in paths of righteousness. Thank You that Your mercy is greater than my failures and that You never tire of drawing me back to Yourself. Help me to follow You through Your Word, in prayer, and in the worship of Your people. As I walk closely with You, may my children see the beauty of the Good Shepherd and desire to follow Him too. For Your name's sake, Amen.
1Sammy and His Shepherd, writer Dr. Susan Hunt
Sherry Kendrick has served as the Family Ministry Director at Covenant Church of Naples in Naples, Florida, for more than sixteen years. She has spent over forty-five years investing in children and families through children's ministry, homeschooling, private education, and public education. Sherry is passionate about helping parents disciple their children through God's Word. She has a lifelong love of children's books and curriculum—so much so that collecting them has become one of her favorite hobbies.
For thirty-six years, Sherry served alongside her husband, Mike, in pastoral ministry in both small and large churches. Since his passing, she has continued to serve the church with a deep confidence in the Good Shepherd's faithful care. She is the grateful mother of three grown children and “Nana” to four beloved grandchildren.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
