From a Mother’s Heart with Marilyn Hickey
How would you encourage the mothers that feel overlooked and under-appreciated?
Mother’s Day comes but once a year and that bouquet of flowers or sentimental card is lovely, but what about the other 364 days where you say to yourself, “do my children even appreciate what I do for them?” Don’t be discouraged because it will not always be that way. Rather encourage yourself by encouraging others. Find a mother with young children and share an encouraging word or offer support. Sowing into other people somehow turns our emotions from a negative to a positive. You may not always experience immediate appreciation when you have the role of the mother, but it will come. So while you’re waiting for encouragement, pour blessings into others.
What places in Scripture does God mention motherhood and what that looks like?
The Bible gives us numerous examples of motherhood and parenting. One example is the unselfish act of Hannah in I Samuel when she committed Samuel, the son she conceived after a lengthy barren state, to God.
In II Timothy, Paul acknowledges that Timothy’s faith first dwelt in his mother, Eunice and his grandmother, Lois. And of course, there is Naomi. She must have done something right for Ruth to cling to her and say “entreat me not to leave you.”
We are to teach our children Biblical principles so they can walk in its promises.
A lot of times, mothers feel inadequate. What are some moments you didn’t feel enough as a mother, and how did God change your perspective?
When Sarah was born, it frightened me because I thought, “How could I be a good mother?” We have those moments with our children, especially when they have challenging needs and we don’t always know how to meet their needs. It’s then that you really have to trust God. If you are a person who knows Scripture, it really helps for you to speak those Scriptures out loud for yourself and to the situation.
How would you encourage mothers who have trouble letting their kids go, whether that be towards something God is calling them to, or a job, spouse, or living situation?
Mother’s know from the onset that there will come a day when our children will no longer be dependent on us. After all, has that not been the focus of parenthood all along?
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV).
The Word doesn’t say when he is old he will not depart from you. It says “it” meaning their training. Training endures. It is not easy releasing them, but what helped me was prayer. I had Christian mothers that were friends pray with me and speak promises with me. A community of faith is a tremendous avenue of help during those trying times.
What would you say to that mother who gave it her best, but feels like her child still ended up on the wrong path?
We have to encourage ourselves and the Lord. If you pour the Word into them, speak the Word over them and prayer, you have to believe that God will accomplish His Word. You will eventually get fruit from the seed you’ve sowed. Take the promises, hang on to them; and they will help you because no parent ever thinks they did it all right. We can always look at the things we probably could’ve done better or things that we didn’t even do. There has to be a trusting in God for the things that you can’t do or didn’t do.
If you could come up with the perfect prayer or anthem for mothers, what would it say?
It would simply say, “Father, help me in the name of Jesus to plant in my children the wisdom that You have for them. Help me trust You like you say in Psalms 139 that my child has a definite destiny and You will give me the wisdom and understanding to put into them what is needed for their purpose on this earth. I believe Your Word is wisdom to me. Help me apply it to the different stages and the process of my child’s aging in Jesus’ name. Amen!
If you had the opportunity to ask your own mother three questions, what would they be?
I had a wonderful mother who is in heaven now. I’ve always felt I could’ve done things better. I wonder if I could have been a better daughter because sometimes I feel I failed her as her daughter. My first question would be, “Have you forgiven me for failing you at times as a daughter?” I wish now that I’d taken the time to learn more about my grandmother and her walk with God, as well as with my great-grandmother. I’d also ask her, “Are you pleased with the generation of blessings that is now evident with Sarah and her children?”
What was one of your biggest fears as a mother?
When Sarah left home to go to ORU, my greatest fear was uncertainty and I wondered if I put into her what was needed for her life. I was anxious and questioning if I could have done more that would’ve helped prepare her better.
What’s the importance of praying over your children as a mother?
It’s important because, simply stated, prayer just works and it is equally important to be a Spirit-filled mother. When you don’t know how or what to pray, pray in the Spirit.
Perhaps we see that our children are not doing the things we believe they should in order to have a good life. We can pray Proverbs 11:21 and believe that our children, the seed of the righteous, will be delivered and we need not condemn ourselves. Remember that we are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus and they are our seed and He will watch over them.
Prayer reminds God of His promises over your children and your children’s children.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isaiah 54:13 NKJV)
How would you encourage a mother to pray for a child that is away from God?
Pray that your children will find their destiny and their purpose for this life. God does have a divine plan and purpose for our families. Take authority, in Jesus’ name, and tell the devil that he does not get your seed. Pray also that God would bring godly influences into your children’s lives that would help them fulfill the plan that God has for them.
What’s it like doing ministry with your daughter now?
Ministry with Sarah is very easy. We are like a hand in a glove. Sarah and I think a lot alike. She is a lot more athletic than I ever was and I believe she’s also a lot brighter, but we think alike and our goals are basically the same so it’s very easy for me to minister alongside her. For example, she recently preached in our church and I was not aware of what she was going to preach on, but prior to the service I felt I had a prophetic word and it ended up being spot on with her teaching. As a mother, I appreciate the wonderful and numerous things that God has done in my life with Sarah.
What is next for our favorite Mother-Daughter duo, Marilyn & Sarah?
In May, we are going to be hosting a group tour and ministering together in New Zealand. I enjoy the times when Sarah can do international events with me because, together, it is a blessing to the country and a blessing to the people that go with us. Of course I want to encourage her in the countries that she feels called to.
Sarah’s humanitarian organization, Saving Moses, is making a tremendous impact in the world. She currently has five Night Care centers opening Cambodia and she is currently working on opening Night Care in Bangladesh in the next few months. Also, Sarah’s newest book will be released this fall. It is published by Chosen and is titled In Step with the Spirit – Infusing Your Life with God’s Presence & Power.
We continue to co-host Today with Marilyn and Sarah which is currently seen by over 2.5 billion viewers every weekday.
Give our readers an invitation to watch “Marilyn and Sarah” on Daystar!
Thank you for tuning in to Daystar and watching Today with Marilyn and Sarah. We love bringing you the Word and encouraging you in your faith through our teachings and introducing you to some fabulous guests. God wants families to minister together. If we study the genealogies of the Bible, it’s really family genealogy; it’s generation to generation. I thank God for you, your family, the future of your family, and the destiny of your family.
You can see Marilyn Hickey in “Today with Marilyn & Sarah” daily on Daystar! Tune in Monday – Friday at 9:30am and 2:30pm ET. Find more information about their program by clicking here.