In a world full of violence and suffering, motherly love has a great deal to teach us about the true heart of God.

God: “Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I who took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bonds of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.”    Hosea 11:3-4

Humanity – like a Cruel Game

When I consider terrorism, war and poverty (violence that has existed throughout human history) it is hard not to question the motives of an all-knowing God who chose to create us. Was it not cruel of Him, knowing how we would sin, fail and suffer at the hands of ourselves and others – like choosing to play us in a dark and cruel game.

This is something I have always struggled with.

Then I too chose to become a parent.

Choosing to become a Parent

I chose to bring children into a world that scares me. Where there is the risk of bullying, depression, war and terrorism to name just a few. And we live in one of the safest places in the world. in contrast, even in war zones or during famines people still choose to have children.

I know that part of my choice to have children was selfish. It came from a deep desire within me to love my own child, to help them grow and to be loved in return. It didn’t feel selfish, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Similarly, you don’t have to be a parent to feel this desire deep within. I believe it is hard wired into all of us, a desire to create, love and be loved.

God as a Parent

‘Humankind was created in God’s reflection. In the divine image, God created them; female and male, God made them.”    Genesis 1.27

These instincts come from God.

When I think of God I believe it is good to imagine him as a mother. A parent who truly wants to love us first and be loved second. To love and admire creation and to have it bless him in return.

Mothers and Peace

Because of this, it is no surprise that some of the best peacemakers in the world are mothers.

From Northern Ireland to Afghanistan and Vietnam; you find mothers grouping together to challenge violence and war. In some conflicts, it is mothers who have led the way to true peace. (Below are links to just some of the many Mothers for Peace organisations)

A recent example is in the Israel/Palestine conflict where mothers gathered together from both sides of the conflict to march and sing for peace; March for Peace

Why do mothers make such good peacemakers?

Because at the end of the day they have something bigger in common than conflict, they have the love for a child.This is a great step towards peace, learning to recognise your own face in that of the enemy.

They also have fear in common; fear of losing their children to war and that fear is a powerful fuel for action.

What’s more, as mothers and fathers we have the great privilege and responsibility of teaching our children so much of what they grow to believe. So do we tell stories of peace or of conflict, do we teach them to behave with love or competition and do we encourage them to forgive or seek revenge?

Bringing Hope into the World

Finally, I believe the most important reason we choose to have children is out of our desire to bring something pure, beautiful and full of hope into the world. To bring a light to brighten the darkness.

Of course, God knew there would be darkness, just as there was in the beginning – he knew there would be evil, cruelty and fear. However, in creation he brought light – and in that light, he brought hope into being.

And just as there is a great deal of despair in the world, there is also so much beauty. It is in that hope and beauty that we find what God truly desires for the world and in our role as parents (and adults) to fight for a peaceful world for our children.

• Mothers for Peace 
• Mothers for Peace
• Another Mother 
• Grandmothers for Peace
• Philippines Mothers for Peace
• Sudanese Mothers for Peace
• Mothers for Peace March 

APF member Lucy Barbour is a mum of two beautiful children. Before having children she studied a master’s degree in Peace and Reconciliation at Coventry University and is passionate about finding ways for the Anglican Church to focus more on Jesus’ message of Peace and non-violence