What’s a spiritual mom?
How would you define the term?
I’ve had several spiritual mothers over the many years I’ve been a Christian. Both entered my life at crucial moments.
They taught me spiritual truth by words, examples, and advice.
Spiritual and practical, speaking the truth in love.
That’s what a spiritual mom is.
Lettie Cowman’s interest in young women missionaries
Spiritual moms come in many forms.
Lettie Cowman had a special heart for women missionaries, or even would-be missionaries!
(But only in a focused area of their spiritual life. Lettie did not know how to cook!)
Lettie remembered being a young, inept missionary wife with little money in 1901 Japan.
When she traveled on behalf of the Oriental Missionary Society (OMS), she brought small creature comforts for the women.
Lettie enjoyed nothing more than sitting down to tea and conversation. She wanted to hear about their lives.
She exchanged letters with many and always wrote encouraging notes.
A missionary’s granddaughter writes about Lettie’s ministry.
I recently received an email from the granddaughter of one of Lettie’s “spiritual daughters.”
Here’s Kimberley’s story:
My grandma Ruth Messerschmidt was an OMS missionary to Colombia. They say she left part of her heart there. (OMS founded the Biblical Seminary of Colombia).
While seated at my grandma’s funeral, I discovered the man sitting beside me was also a missionary.
“Did you know Lettie Cowman was your grandma’s spiritual mom?”
She did not.
He talked about Ruth
All she knew was that her grandmother Ruth once had owned a personally signed copy of Streams in the Desert. Lettie had signed it “Lettie,” rather than her traditional autograph, “Mrs. Charles Cowman.”
She also knew Ruth had fled Colombia quickly when political elements in the 1950s made Protestant missionary work dangerous.
Ruth had left her copy of Streams in the Desert behind.
Kimberly befriended the man. Years later, he found Ruth’s worn copy of Streams in the Desert and sent it to her.
What made Lettie befriend Ruth?
Kimberly thought the two women had more in common than just OMS.
Like Lettie, her grandmother wanted to be an opera singer. Like Lettie, she was very musical and played the flute.
Lettie encouraged her, and as always, was thrilled when Ruth found a husband and married.
While Lettie only visited Colombia once, their friendship began where their hearts met: on the mission field.
It grew with what they had in common: a love for God, missions, and music.
Neither woman had a child of her own. (Ruth adopted her husband’s children after their marriage).
As with all her missionary friends, Lettie looked out for Ruth.
My spiritual mom, Liz
Pregnant with my first child and 3500 miles from home, I met Liz in a church kitchen.
While our friendship began in Bible study, we quickly branched out into general life.
Liz taught me about gardening, raising children, and how to love an absent husband.
Liz taught me what it meant to be a “good Navy wife.” She modeled it, answered questions, and gently loved me — often through my foolish behavior.
I was only 24 years old and new to the adventure of a husband going out to sea.
Liz knew it well. She advised me and helped with my children when I got injured.
She and her husband bailed me out more times than I can count. They took the kids and me into their home during a hurricane.
I was honored to serve as Liz’s Navy wife eulogist at her memorial service.
What makes for a spirit mom—spiritual daughter relationship?
Love, caring, a need.
Friendship, joy, fun.
Cooking.
Laughter.
I’ve had the joy of being both a spiritual daughter and a spiritual mom.
My life is richer for both.
Thanks be to God.
Thoughts? Reactions? Lurker?