It's tucked away in a the backwaters of the Bible, and is seldom mentioned in the church. Yet, there is a verse in the Bible that speaks about "nursing moms." Why would the apostle Paul, who tradition states wrote 1 Thessalonians, write, "We proved gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children" (2:7).
Of course, there are several observations about this verse that forces me to scratch my head. Primarily, the simple issue that Paul is comparing his ministry with the Thessalonians with a nursing mom: this is not the strong virile language that one normally associates Paul's metaphors: an athlete or soldier. Secondly, it has to hush the critics who claims that the apostle Paul is "against women."
These observations are well and good. However, why? Why would Paul compare his ministry to a "nursing mom?" I contend: is there any better imagery for the love one should have for people and the church? The imagery evokes feelings of: warmth, love, security, and health.
Paul is breaking down gender stereotypes as he frames his message in one of warmth and security!
A critical "take-away" from this verse is the simple truth that a nursing mom nourishes her child with the food she consumes. If a nursing mom is consuming poor nutrients, or bad ones, then the baby will feed on these. If the mom is consuming a rich array of nutrients, the child will benefit.
So, what type of nutrients are you "consuming?" Where are you investing your time, your free time, and taking into your body? Countless hours of taking in "junk" will bear the fruit of "junk."
If you are in the church, why not add some healthy nutrients to your spiritual diet...in this way you too will be like Paul, and be a "nursing mother" who gives warmth, love, security and health to people in your life.
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