Special Day to Celebrate Mothers

Mother’s day has come and gone, but everyday is a celebration of motherhood. I hope you as a mother, grandmother, aunt, mentor, teacher and spiritual mom had a great weekend! 

Check out my YouTube video to hear the story https://youtu.be/3ccnDIJ01pI

What a special day to remember and celebrate motherhood with all of its profound meanings and sacrifices. I want to dedicate this first of the Mama Bear Series to women everywhere. It portrays some of the God-given attributes that women are created and graced with to be protectors, guardians and nurturers of their families. 

This image is intended to inspire the army of women who offer courage, beauty and wisdom to society. Women who are influencers, history makers, pace setters and culture transformers. Throughout history we have seen women of all types with lives that shine forth faith, love and courage throughout the ages to the present generation of amazing women. 

Women like Eve, the mother of all mankind, though deceived, she was given a promise that her seed would crush the head of the serpent. Women like Sarah who believed God for decades to bless her with a son that would inherit God’s promises and carry out the legacy of faith to all nations. 

Women like the brave midwives in the time of Pharaoh in Egypt who feared God and would not kill the male babies but spared their lives. One of those women who delivered a child was Jochebed, daughter of priestly descent, who with cunning craftiness knew how to protect her infant son from death and government ordnance. She wove a basket and placed it in the proper place to be discovered and rescued. Then she nursed and cared for her son in the palace of the princess of Egypt. What faith she had in God to use her son as a mighty deliverer for her people instilling in him from birth his identity as part of God’s chosen people in the earth. 

Time limits us to tell the stories of women like Esther, orphaned with little hope, but became queen at the right time to rescue her nation from slaughter. 

Women like Debora, strong, wise and prophetic who judged issues in civil courts and fought proudly in the military ranks against the enemy trying to destroy her nation.

Women like Jael, content caring for her home yet ready to pound a tent spike in the head of the commander of enemy forces who arrived at her door. 

Women like Ruth, a foreigner but devote daughter who changed her identity to follow her mother-in-law and care for her in old age. 

Women like Hannah who weren’t content with barrenness and cried to the Lord for a son, then dedicated him to the service of God all the days of his life. 

Women like Mary, young virgins awaiting their wedding day, but with faith answered God’s call to birth and raise the Messiah, not counting the cost of society and religious rejection as a single pregnant girl. 

Women like Elizabeth, later in life, conceiving a child and raising him to be God’s prophet and forerunner of Christ. 

Women like Mary of Magdalene, demon possessed but set free to be a dedicated follower, disciple and evangelist for Christ. 

Women like Eunice and Lois, mother and grandmother, who made their mark on young Timothy by giving him an unmovable true faith in God. 

History is adorned with wise and strong women who made their mark on mankind. This Mama Bear series is dedicated to these fiercely loyal, dedicated, protective, and beautiful women who love their children and are courageously guarding their families from the evil in the world yet tenderly caring for and loving them deeply. 

My hope is for every image brought to the canvas to be not only inspiring but moving women to action and to occupy their place in history. God-given destinies and assignments await this mighty army of mothers and their families to arise in the earth and shine forth the glory of God to all of creation.

Arise, shine; for your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you, 

And His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:1-2

Tender Love

36x48 mixed media finished in oil

The first of this series is called Tender Love. One of the greatest attributes of motherhood from the beginning of time is the beauty of their hearts to show tender love. Mama Grizzly bears are known for their strong maternal instincts, fiercely protecting their cubs and demonstrating attentive, devoted and sometimes strict parenting behaviors, while also being sensitive to their cubs’ needs. Though the mama grizzly bear is fierce in protecting her young cub, her caring for, training and protecting him comes to the foreground of her characteristics. 

Here's a more detailed look at the characteristics of mama grizzly bears I found on Goggle Search:

• Protective Nature:
  Mother grizzly bears are renowned for their fierce protection of their cubs, often displaying aggressive behavior to ward off perceived threats. 
  
• Attentive and Devoted:
  They are attentive and devoted to their cubs, ensuring their safety and well-being. 
  
• Strict Discipline:
  While affectionate, mama grizzlies can also be strict, teaching their cubs essential survival skills and appropriate behavior. 
  
• Sensitive to Needs:
  They are sensitive to their cubs' needs, responding to their cries and providing comfort and care. 
  
• Educators:
  In the wild, female grizzly bears assume the roles of educators and protectors for their cubs, showcasing remarkable intelligence. Cubs learn survival skills through observation and imitation of their mother's behavior. 
  
• Nursing and Care:
  Mother bears nurse their cubs, providing them with milk and other essential nutrients. 
  
• Vocalizations and Warning Signs:
  Mothers may vocalize a “huff-huff” call to tell their cubs to be quiet, and may also give warning signs (huffing or popping sounds, swatting the ground or even bluff charges) to let you know that you are too close. 
  
• Fighting and Defense:
  Mothers may fight off male bears or other predators to protect their cubs. 
  
• Climbing Trees:
  Mothers may climb trees to escape male bears or other threats. 
  
• Territoriality:
  Grizzly mothers may carve parts of their territory up for their daughters, and may even deliberately avoid food spots in overlapping areas to give their young an advantage.

Enjoy being a Mama Grizzly today and every day!