“Our Father in Heaven…”

If you know one prayer, this is the one. And for good reason: when asked how we should pray, this is how Jesus began his model prayer. God is fatherly. And what a mercy that is! Frederick Buechner says, “It is only the words "Our Father" that make the prayer bearable. If God is indeed something like a father, then as something like children maybe we can risk approaching him anyway.” 

Throughout his ministry, Jesus calls the first person of the Trinity “Father.” It’s not without reason, then, that we refer to the three persons of the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Scripture teaches us that if we want to see what fatherhood was intended to be, we ought to look to God. But that doesn’t mean God is actually a father. Nor does it mean God is only fatherly.

What if the perfect model of fatherhood and of motherhood was God?

Scripture teaches us that if we want to see what motherhood was intended to be, we ought to look to God as well.

As Moses nears the end of his life, he reflects on how God has cared for his people. He envisions God as a mother eagle, protecting her brood. He says, “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings… the Lord alone guided him…” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12a).

As God closes his prophecy to Israel through Isaiah, he offers the promise of salvation if Israel is “humble and contrite” (66:2). God promises his broken and rebellion children that, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13).

As Jesus looks over Jerusalem, he cries out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” (Luke 13:34). Jesus responds to his rejection by grieving over his wayward children. Like a mom who longs to see her rebellious children return home, Jesus longs to hold us tight, even though we have gone our own way, even though we have hurt him.

God perfectly mothers us and lacks no quality of a good mother. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? If you have (or had) a healthy relationship with your mom, all of the best parts of that relationship are available—to an even greater degree!—with God. And if you have (or had) a broken relationship with your mom, you are not motherless; God mothers you as you always wish you would have.

I think of my mom: her wisdom, her listening ear, her comfort, her leadership. She is a gift! God invites me to experience him in all these ways. What a blessing!

Remember, God is not gendered. God is neither male nor female. God created motherhood and fatherhood. And he perfectly manifests both. Maybe the truth of God’s mother-like characteristics will open a new place of intimacy in your relationship with him.

And with that promise, no matter what your relationship with your earthly mother is like, I wish you a belated and very happy Mother’s Day.

 Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash