Growing up on a dairy farm, experiencing the miracle of life was common. Those baby calves lived a life of luxury as we tended to their every need. Now I have many friends who are cattle ranchers. They raise true beef stock like Angus or Herefords. These mama cows are charged with rearing their furry little babies from birth in the spring until late fall when they are pulled off the pasture.
I don’t know how familiar you are with beef production, but if you have even one friend in that industry, you have likely heard terrifying stories of mama cows going after the rancher if he happened to get between her and her calf.
This primitive notion of protecting and defending their young is likely where the stylish buffalo plaid apparel emblazoned with Mama Bear across the front comes from. Very cute and aesthetic!
But cute is NOT a word that would be in your vocabulary were you to cross paths with a mother bear who was separated from her cub!
Words most often associated with motherhood would be gentle, nurturing, soft, etc. And rightfully so, as children need these things from their mothers. But here’s another description, a warrior.
If you are a mom reading this, I have no doubt that you know what I’m talking about. We moms will go to war to protect our children.
Remember in the bible when it said that we don’t fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities? That means that we are at war against the evil one. And guess who he hates more than ANYONE else? That’s right. It’s mothers.
Why would he have a special hatred toward mothers? Because he is obnoxiously jealous. Mothers are the only created beings that have the ability to co-create life. Angels, who are far superior spiritual beings, don’t even have this privilege.
It doesn’t matter if you have 15 kids, are a single woman, are experiencing infertility are post-menopausal, or are a widow, whether through your own womb or through spiritual motherhood, you assume the identity of motherhood through your femininity.
We, as women, remind the devil of THE Woman- Our Blessed Mother Mary. The one who in the end triumphs by crushing the head of Satan.
The devil hates her because she is the opposite of everything that he is. She is profoundly humble, where he wreaks of pride. She is a giver of life, opening her womb in her Fiat, where he is murderous and despises life. She is pure and innocent, he is cunning, deceiving, and a liar. She is breathtakingly beautiful; he is hideous to behold.
What a model for us women! Call on Mary. Don’t be afraid to love her and ask her to be your spiritual mother. Ask her to teach you how to be a mother and to love your children in the way that they deserve to be loved.
Suit up, ladies. The devil has a target on your back. Put on the armor of God, Ephesians, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, so that it may be said of you, as of the Woman, “she who looks forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array.” -Song of Solomon 6:10.
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Leah