The Mother's Heart

"Now the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living."

Genesis 3:20

Adam gave the name "mother" to Eve before she had any children. In our society we think of motherhood starting with the conception of a child. But is seems clear to me from this verse and from my life experience that the mothering heart in some degree is a part of every woman whether or not she has children. It is our natural God-given capacity to nurture, to be life giving, to be sensitive and to receive tremendous affirmation in having a role in helping human beings grow. Actually, Adam said "all the living" which may account for why women love flowers and little girls are prone to bring home stray puppies and kittens. Certainly men have strong feelings regarding parenthood. I am in no way diminishing the amazing role of fatherhood, but merely focusing on motherhood. Genesis 3:15-19 tells of the consequences of our sin against God. While the result of man's sin was related to labor, the consequences of women's sin was connected to relationships. God said, "in pain you shall bring forth children." There is a lot of pain in child rearing, and not only in the physical birth! Yet, God still has given us a heart fit for the job. As a woman I can recognize that the desire for harmonious relationships is part of my God-given nature. In the church, whether we have no children, are a mother, or grandmother, I can have a life-giving and nurturing ministry to children because of the special way in which God has blessed all women with "the mother's heart".