“TO BE A MOTHER DOES NOT REQUIRE A PHYSICAL BIRTH”

Motherhood is one of life’s most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. God has innately designed a woman to be a nurturer—one who provides the essence of life (training, loving, rearing, coaching, comfort, care, etc.) to another person. It is her “calling” to impart into a child the heart of love that God has for His most cherished creation: a living soul.

There is a divine order to this assignment—motherhood should come out of matrimony—but we know that is not the case with the birth of every child. Nonetheless, this “calling” presents itself as an inevitable exchange between a mother and her child. There are exceptions of course—circumstances, situations and events can have a negative impact on this bond. These are matters that require much prayer. We would be remiss not to pause in our thoughts to pray
even now for deliverance, healing and restoration to such relationships in Jesus name, amen!

I am convinced that women have been innately designed to be nurturers. Therefore, this propensity exists even in the absence of a natural birth. In other words—to be a mother does not require a physical birth! Ask me, I know this to be true.

Having three older brothers and four younger sisters fostered in me the bedrock from which nurturing flows—honing my skills in all facets of family interaction. Mother began to work for a few short hours once the youngest began school. As I grew up, being the eldest daughter, I gradually and quite naturally assumed a certain role and became responsible for managing the household and attending to the needs of my siblings while my parents worked. I cooked, did laundry, ironed, helped with homework, and made sure that everyone completed their assigned
chores. Being the “Project Manager” was not always a smooth operation—you must know that there was always one or two who would give me a hard time! Eventually though, we would pull it together enough so that when Mom and Dad arrived home, everything was in order . . . for the most part!

Looking at my life in retrospect and even up to this present time, I see an anointing exuding from me that has drawn to me children and youth of all ages and even some adults who find in me—only by God’s grace alone—the pleasure of experiencing and sharing the care, compassion, concern, encouragement, and unreserved love as only a mother can give—and I’ve not had one natural labor pain. Although there have been moments of mental and spiritual labor as many of these “children” grew up and became productive members in God’s house and varied communities. I would not trade any aspect of my life; these precious moments are forever endeared to me. The return on this investment in life is immeasurable!

‘THE CHILDREN OF MY HEART”

When my sisters and I were growing up, we would sit together and talk about our future lives—we’d share our dreams regarding careers, dream homes, cars, clothes, and of course, who we thought would win our hearts and our hands in marriage.

I remember so vividly that we each announced the number of children we wanted to have. The most either of them declared was no more than two or three. I happily said that I wanted eight children. “EIGHT” they said! I confirmed that indeed I wanted eight children. Why so many they asked? I began to tell them how much joy I gleaned from growing up in a large family– how interesting and unpredictable our menagerie was and that two or three just wasn’t enough for me . . . I wanted a quiver full!

As it turned out, I never married and had no children. It wasn’t too bad of a state to be in because in my career, I was constantly on the road and my responsibilities and obligations to the offices I held in the church kept me occupied until Mother’s Day 2008. As the day approached, I was feeling a little “off”—though I’d shared with so many other children, I had not birthed any. At that moment, the Holy Spirit took me back to that conversation I had with my sisters and He said to me: “Remember the eight children you wanted, your sisters have given them to you!”

Immediately my mind and my heart became overwhelmed with joy– I quickly captured my thoughts on paper, and sent it to each of them. I have eight nieces and nephews among my sisters. These children became the children of my heart. In the letter, I thanked them for allowing me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of having children– for they gave me liberty to touch their lives just as if they were mine. I am “Aunty Mom” to these select ones for sure; as well as the nieces and nephews of my brothers. They are all truly special to my heart. My blessings don’t stop there, I have more than thirty god-children and god-grands.

Now you see women of God, to be a mother does not require a physical birth—if you will allow the gift He has created in you to flow from you, He will totally fulfill that desire to nurture by bringing into your life children of your heart.

 

Carolyn Annette Mathews is the fourth child of eight born to Jesse and Verna Mathews January 8, 1953. She retired from the Florida Department of Education in 2009 having served as the State Director of the Florida Migrant Education Program—a federally funded program supporting the academic and social needs of children whose parents travel across county and state boundaries in search of seasonal agricultural employment. She committed her life to Christ at the age of 15; and over the years, served in many areas of ministry: Sunday School teacher– children of all ages and adults, Minister of Music—organizing and directing choirs beginning with her local church, as well as the district choir and ultimately the National Mass Choir of the Churches of God by Faith, Inc. In addition to her present assignment at her home church in Apopka, Florida, she takes profound pleasure in attending to the immediate needs of her elderly parents as their primary caregiver; ensuring that their lives are as comfortable and carefree as possible.