My Heart Breaks for Moms

Today my heart is breaking for mothers who are feeling the pain of loving their children. I remember when my oldest son was in the hospital. He was 4 months old and had a fever of 105. The doctors kept telling me he was very sick, but they didn't know what he was sick with. I was all alone in that hospital room with my ailing son. I felt like Hagar from Genesis Chapter 21. Let me remind you of the story. Sarah and Abraham wanted a son, but were not blessed with a son. Sarah sent Abraham to her servant, Hagar, who bore a son. In Genesis Chapter 21, Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are sent away at God's command.

Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away for the thought, 'I cannot watch the boy die.' As she sat there, she began to sob. Genesis 21:14-16

I just couldn't bear to watch my baby laying in that hospital bed being stuck over and over with needles, lethargic, suffering. I just wanted to go about a bowshot away so I didn't have to watch. I also wanted to stay because of the intense love I felt for my son. I don't know what I would have done had my own mother not been able to drive the two hours to be with us.

At the time this happened, I didn't lean on God. I tried to bear the weight on my shoulders as Hagar did with the food and water. What I have found is that if you try to bear with your own shoulders what should be born by Jesus, you will eventually run dry. I was lost. What I know now is that when a mother's heart breaks, God's heart breaks.

Ishmael was saved by God and became the father of many nations. My son was able to leave the hopsital after three days. He just had a virus.

Today my prayer is that all mothers hurting because of their intense love for their children will know that you do not have to bear that burden on your own shoulders. You can take it to the cross and lay it at Jesus' feet. He wants to bear the burden for you. I pray that you will find solace and rest in God.

If you have a prayer request, please leave a comment and I will pray for you or your heart's burden.