Paul as Mr. Mom

We are currently in 1 Thessalonians in family worship. In last night’s reading the following verse stuck out to me:

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Here Paul compares himself to a new mommy. Not that he was or could be, but to these new believers he was like that, for he was as tenderly compassionate and delicately nurturous to them as the nursing mother is to her tiny newborn. How cautiously and carefully does she make every move, lest she disturb or upset the nursing little one! That’s how Paul acted toward these believers. (Boy was the apostle secure in his manhood!)

It is even a comparison that God uses for himself:

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15).

As does Christ, speaking to cosmic rebels:

How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings (Matthew 23:36).

Turn to Jesus today and you will find him infinitely strong to save you and also supremely gentle to care for you now and always. For he is as tender—no, he is infinitely more tender than the best mother could ever possibly be. After all, our sweet moms are a loving expression to us of the kindness of him who lives forever and ever.