Women are crazy. Especially mothers. Especially Grizzly mothers. They will defend their young to the death, protecting their environment and mauling anyone who may stand in the way of their safety and the safety of their family. As noted in recent news, even innocent hikers don’t have a chance against a Grizzly mother.

I am proud to say my own mother is a Momma Grizzly. So are the women at my church. Our women don’t mildly sit by or cower away when defending their environment. They stand up, they fight for what they believe in, and they voice their strong opinions. Our Momma Grizzlies take to heart the teachings of Jesus and work hard to apply the principles to their own lives.

They remind me of two verses in Philemon: 6-7 :
“I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.”

Yet, sometimes…our Momma Grizzlies forget we are all fighting for the same cause, on the same side of the war with Satan and that we ALL fight tooth and nail for our environment, our fellow Christians and fellow Humanity alike. We can also forget that Satan uses friction within the ranks to harbor hate by getting us to fight over coffee or how to usher in a newcomer. Before we know it, we are harboring an unhealthy spirit of resentment and competition over whose ideas get chosen and who is receiving accolades and applause this week. Instead of rallying around our leaders and around each other, we mope and complain and leave over small details. We end up playing right into Satan’s hand when we react negatively to any sort of change, in church or in life.

When we carry a message of faith in unity and understanding under one vision, we not only help others but we also gain a fuller understanding of what our relationship to God means to us. We become strengthened in our own faith. I am continually strengthened and protected by my Momma Grizzlies and I am blessed to have them in my life.