Mothers’ Day Cake crop (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God is a Father. We all know that. The Bible tells us as much and Jesus Himself taught us to address our prayers to “Our Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). He is the ultimate template for what a good father should be—but He’s also much, much more.

When God created man in His own image, He made man “male and female” (Genesis 1:27), so it’s only when we combine the unique strengths and attributes of both men and women that we see a shadowy reflection of the true glory of God revealed through mankind. God’s nature contains all of the combined strengths of both a perfect father and a perfect mother.

He is solace. He is nurture. He is unconditional love. He is the beautifier. He cares. Certainly natural fathers can provide these things to a degree, but usually not in the same way as a mom. Healthy mothers reflect a unique dimension of our Heavenly Father’s love (and if your mom wasn’t able to reflect that love in the way you needed, I hope you’ve known some other special ladies who were able to make up for that lack).

This weekend, as you and I honor and celebrate our moms, let’s reflect on what it is that they teach us about “our Father who is in heaven.”

“As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you, and you will be comforted.” (Isaiah 66:13)