21 Bible Verses and Quotes to Encourage the Important Women in Your Life

If you are an adult, you more than likely have had many Mother’s Days to share with your mother. You’ve watched your mom cherish every sweet sentiment expressed in your cards to her. After many years, though, are you struggling with what to say? If you are running out of thoughtful words to encourage your mother, the following Bible verses and quotes for Mother's Day to encourage women may do the trick!

15 Bible Verses to Honor Mothers on Mother's Day (and Every Day)

1. Exodus 17:12- “When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” No matter how hard your job as a mother is, you are not alone. Lean on the other moms God has placed in your life to help carry you when you are at your lowest points. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles with your kids to others. You may find they have (or had) the same struggles and lived to tell about it.
2. Ecclesiastes 4:9 - “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” I have heard it said it takes a village to raise a child, and it is absolutely true. Motherhood was not meant to be navigated alone. The more people (particularly those who have been through that season of child-rearing) the better. Don’t be afraid to accept constructive criticism from those who have been around the block once or twice. Pay forward what you have learned and invest in a young mother whose kids are younger than yours. Everyone in those relationships will benefit.
3. 1 Samuel 16:7- “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” The Lord knows your heart. Even when every mother looks like they have it all together, there are times when they don’t. Don’t fall prey to the trap of comparison. God knows you act out of love for your children, even if your children (or others) don’t see it that way.
4. Joshua 1:9- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” You are not alone. God is with you, through every temper tantrum and difficult decision. Be courageous and take solace in the fact that with Lord on your side, there is nothing you can’t do as a parent.
5. Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has plans for both you and your children. Despite the rewards of bring a parent, you may have experienced seasons when you question whether this is all God has for your life. Although being a mom is a fulfilling accomplishment on its own, God has plans for your whole life—not just for your season as a mom. You may find that an empty nest may not be as empty as you thought—it may be the turning of a page in a new chapter in your life.
6. Proverbs 27:17- “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Many churches host MOPS groups because they know mothering is hard. They also know that by meeting regularly and sharing your struggles and triumphs with each other moms will encourage each other and empower each other during the hard times. Consider attending a group. Not only will you be a better person, but by sharing your experiences you will also make another person’s life better too.
7. 1 John 3:1- “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” We are daughters of the King! Although this is our inheritance, it is easy to get bogged down in the mundane moments of life and forget whose we are. The Lord loves us more than we can comprehend. As His children, He always does what is in our best interest, just as you do what is in the best interest of your child. Live in the reality of whose you are and you will find you have a new inner strength as you raise your own kid.
8. Hebrews 4:16- “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Even if you are distant from the Lord now, it doesn’t mean you can’t approach God with boldness. The beauty of grace is that even when we feel we have let the Lord down, we haven’t. Through Christ’s death in the cross we can approach God any time with the confidence to know God will give us the mercy and grace we need.
9. Hebrews 12:1- “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Marathon runners want to quit at some point. But they keep at it. They put one foot in front of the other and keep going until they reach their goal. You may want to quit as a parent, too. Put one foot in front of the other and don’t give up. When you look back at your life, parenting may be your favorite season of all.
10. Matthew 4:21-22- “Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” Parenting is a calling. The disciples were obedient to Jesus’ calling and it changed their lives. Follow Jesus design for parenting and you’ll never go wrong. In the end, not only will your life be enriched for being a parent, but your kids will have successful lives because you were their mom.
11. Matthew 18:20- “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Isn’t it comforting to know through the power of the Holy Spirit we can pray and know God is with us? Prayer is a powerful tool for any parent. Take the time to gather regularly to pray for your kids. Summon two or three ladies to gather with you weekly to pray for your kids. Go to Him as your heavenly parent so you can be the best earthly parent you can be.
12. Luke 10:19- “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Jesus gave his disciples His authority to heal, destroy evil and help those around them. Jesus has given you the same authority as His disciple. Walk in that authority daily and do your best to heal, protect your kids from evil and help your kids. Jesus loves all of His children and He will give you the guidance to raise your kids.
13. John 15:7-8- “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Some of the best fruit you will bear in this life is that of your children. You can have the best job and marriage, but your kids will be the legacy you leave to the world. Be bold and ask God daily for help raising your kids. He can do more on your behalf than you can ask or imagine.
14. Romans 8:1- “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” No matter what you have done in your past, God can (or will) forgive you. You just have to ask. Once you have done that, you will feel freer than you have in your life.
15. Philippians 4:6- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” God knows everything already. No matter what you are dealing with, confess your sins to the Lord. Talk to Him like He is your friend. He wants all of you, even your parenting styles. After all, God knows better than anyone what it is like to have lost a child. Let Him fill your grief and cast your cares to Him. He’s big enough to carry your burdens.

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6 Encouraging Quotes for Mothers on Mother's Day

1. “God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers”- This quote by Rudyard Kipling should encourage mothers to know that they are used by God in powerful ways to impact their children in positive ways. Mothers protect, encourage and challenge their children in tangible ways, especially when they are young. Mothers are responsible for teaching their kids the basic skills in life, and it is through that same teaching that kids understand God’s unconditional love and grace.
2. “It’s not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” —Ann Landers While you may seem like your kids hate you for not doing everything for them, they will come to appreciate the skills you have taught them as adults. While other young adults are struggling through life transitions, your kids will have grown up to be self-sufficient, well- adjusted adults, and that’s the best skill you can teach.
3. “Men are what their mothers made them”—Ralph Waldo Emerson As a mom, you may think you are not accomplishing much as a mother. That is until you watch your child turn into an adult. Their kindness, independence and grace towards others is the fruits you will reap for your labor.  
4. Mothers hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever. —Author Unknown Your kids will always love you and want you in their lives, even if they don’t show it all the time. Although your role in their lives will change, your love for them will not. Even if they don’t act like it, your kids want and need you in their lives. Give them space to grow and let them come to you when they need you. You’ll discover they need you more than you think.
5. “Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother” —Oprah Winfrey For those of you who are stepmothers, mothers of adopted children or women who have never carried a baby to term, there are lots of ways you are a mother. Simply giving birth doesn’t make you a mother. There are many who give their children up because they know they can’t provide for them the stable environment their child deserves. A woman who guides, nurtures, protects and sacrifices for a child is the real test for being a mom.
6. “The days are long but the years are short.” —Gretchen Rubin When my kids were young, many people told me this. Yet I didn’t believe them. I thought for sure I’d enjoy my kids much more when they were more independent and self-sufficient. Now they are older, I wish I could freeze time and go back to when they were little. Enjoy your kids no matter what the age. The days may feel long when they are babies, but when they get older, it will go faster than you ever thought possible.

If you're still fortunate enough to have your mother here on earth, we hope these provide some inspiration as to how to celebrate her on her special day. Afford her the privilege of getting a chance to admire what a special person you have turned out to be because of her hard work, influence, and impact in your life. If you yourself are a mother, we hope these are a blessing to you, and that you know how appreciated you are for everything that you do for your family!

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Featured image credit: Jake Thacker on Unsplash