The Shepherd’s Care for Mothers ~ The Shepherd Every Mother Needs
As I begin this series of devotions, I have welcomed a new grandson into our family. I've been given ten glorious days to listen to his sweet sounds, breathe in that wonderful “new baby” smell, and snuggle him to sleep. I've also had the joy of caring for his big sister. We've read stories, played games, and made crafts. My son and his sweet wife have welcomed this little one with such delight, and my mother's heart swells as I watch them lovingly care for their children.
These days have also reminded me, up close, just how hard parenting can be. With the arrival of a newborn, every routine is disrupted—sleep, work, meals, bedtimes, laundry, and even just finding time for a shower. This season of motherhood is filled with both overwhelming bliss and real exhaustion.
The truth is that every season of motherhood brings its own unique blend of delight and difficulty, and it also brings an opportunity to nurture our children's faith.
The needs of a newborn eventually become those of a preschooler, with tears over the smallest things and meltdowns that seem to come out of nowhere. Children ask “Why?” ten thousand times, and “Just because” is no longer an acceptable answer. Yet these years overflow with wonder as they learn new words, run, laugh, imagine, and delight in the world around them. Their faith is often beautifully simple as they readily believe that Jesus loves them.
Then we enter the elementary years. Children become increasingly independent. They learn to read, ride a bike, and develop friendships. They discover gifts in sports, music, art, or academics. They also begin to encounter the brokenness of the world and the reality of their own sinful hearts. Parenting requires wisdom and grace as you guide them through successes, failures, disappointments, and conflicts. These are precious years for faith formation as children eagerly learn Bible stories, memorize Scripture, pray the Lord's Prayer, confess the Apostles' Creed, and begin to understand God's great story of redemption.
The preteen years require even greater intentionality. Conversations about identity, friendships, social media, sexuality, and truth become increasingly important. Family calendars quickly fill with activities that threaten the rhythms of worship, rest, and shared meals. During these years, a biblical worldview begins taking shape. Children are learning who God is, who they are, and what He says about them. They begin participating more fully in the worship of God's people. They begin to see how all of Scripture points to Christ. None of this happens accidentally. It requires steady, faithful investment.
In the high school years, greater independence brings deeper friendships, harder questions, and more opportunities to make wise—or foolish—choices. Parents navigate decisions about driving, dating, education, technology, work, and preparing children for adulthood. These years can bring tremendous blessings as you watch your children mature in wisdom and faith. They can also bring profound heartache when sin, suffering, or disappointment enter their lives.
Oh, the joys, the heartache, the energy, the weariness, the anticipation, and the expectations of motherhood.
No matter the season, you can feel pulled in a hundred directions. You spend your days caring for everyone else's needs—meals, emotions, schedules, homework, discipline, laundry, appointments, and prayers. Before long, it's easy to begin living as though everything depends on you.
That’s why Psalm 23 is such a gift to mothers. Psalm 23 begins with these familiar words:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
A shepherd does not care for his flock from a distance. He knows each sheep. He watches over them, nourishes, protects, and faithfully leads them. David's words are wonderfully personal. He does not simply say, “The Lord is a shepherd.” He declares, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
Before you are a mother, wife, daughter, teacher, planner, helper, or provider, you are first a sheep in the care of the Good Shepherd. He knows you by name and loves you as His own. He sees your weariness long before anyone else notices it. He knows the fears you rarely speak aloud, your desire to be a good mother, the guilt you feel when you lose your patience, and the quiet moments when you wonder if you are enough. He also knows your children even better than you do. Their hearts, their struggles, their future, and their needs are never hidden from Him. God has never asked you to become the savior of your home—that job already belongs to Jesus. Instead, He lovingly invites you to stay close to Him, trusting His wisdom more than your own and resting in His faithful care. Because He is your Shepherd, you are never outside His loving presence, and because He is your Shepherd, you will never lack what you truly need.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
In what area of motherhood have you been carrying a burden that belongs to your Shepherd?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd. When I feel responsible for everything, remind me that I am first Your sheep before I am anyone else's mother. Help me trust that You know both me and my children far better than I do, and teach me to stay close to You and to rest in Your loving care, confident that I will never lack what I truly need because I belong to You. Amen.
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.
