God As Mother

While we most often refer to God as Father, God is also depicted as mother in scripture. Take a few moments to read Psalm 131; Isaiah 66:13; and Zephaniah 3:17.

Now take a few moments to sit back and imagine:

You are an infant, lying in your tiny crib. Waking suddenly in the night, you feel frightened and begin to cry. Your body tenses up. You're alone and disoriented. You don't know what's wrong, but you cry because something is. Feel your frustration, fear, and helplessness.

(Pause a moment.)

A soft voice comes out of the darkness, and gentle hands pick you up. "Hush, my baby, mommy's here." Your body begins to relax as your mother sings over you and rocks you back and forth, back and forth. Your tears stop, and you snuggle into the warmth of your mother's arms.

Your worries and fears are gone now. Nothing concerns you. There's nothing you need. Rest in the arms of your mother, your head pressed against her chest. You hear the rhythmic beating of her heart and feel her chest gently rising and falling with each breath she takes. You're completely safe and perfectly loved.

(Pause a moment.)

As you continue to rest, gently change your perspective. This is not your physical mother who rocks and holds you so lovingly. This is God, your Mother. God, the Life-Giver and Nurturer, holds you gently, enveloping you in love. God, your Mother, wipes your tears and smiles while gazing into the beautiful face of her beloved child.

Rest in the arms of your Mother. Rest in the arms of God.

--taken from Imaginative Prayer for Youth Ministry