This Sunday on Mother’s Day we celebrate motherhood and what that embodies, starting with Mary. Even though not everyone had an ideal mother or father, on Mother’s Day we look at celebrating the traits of Godly motherhood.

In Luke 1 it tells of what Mary and Joseph endured and what you can learn from their perseverance. Mary was so poised and ready to receive whatever came her way, as long as it was God’s will. She said, “Be it done to me according to your word.” Even in a situation where the man she loved could leave her and no one else would want her, and she could be seen as an adulteress – she had faith in God. Despite her being of a young age, she trusted Him and she took it all on joyously.

Mary was living out those strong traits of a mother. She was in that place of acceptance and intense faith. She made the decision to see it through to be the best mother she could be in her house at that time. Just like a strong mother in present day, she took on the role to nurture, to get things done, and to be a loving figure for her family. She had faith that God would do something beyond just what she could see. It was not a blind faith, but an enduring peace rooted in God, knowing He would work His will through her and she trusted Him. Because of this, her faith was contagious.

When you see the intensity of a mother, like Mary, when she faces many challenges raising children and running a household, pushing through it all – and do so lovingly – that inspires others. That loving nature, nurturing presence, and perseverant spirit is the kind of woman whose faith is contagious to her children, her husband, and others around her. That is true motherhood.