Sabihin mo sa matatandang babae na sila’y mamuhay na may kabanalan, huwag maninirang-puri, huwag maglalasing kundi magturo sila ng mabuti, upang maakay nila ang mga kabataang babae na mahalin ang kanilang mga asawa at mga anak.

Tito 2:3–4

Lea was 28 years old when she started volunteering sa Sunday School ng kanilang church dahil mahilig siya sa mga bata. Pinangarap niyang magkaroon sila ng tatlong anak ng kanyang asawa. But 2 years after getting married, wala pa ring baby. Lea prayed fervently that the Lord grant their request.

Tuwing may manganganak sa friends niya, automatic na isa si Lea sa mga ninang. Masaya naman siya sa role niya pero lihim na umaasa ang puso niya. Bilang isang babae, feeling niya na may kulang sa kanya dahil wala siyang anak. Kaya ang lagi niyang dasal ay, “Lord, kelan ako magiging nanay? Sana ako na ang next.”

After 10 years, Lea and her husband surrendered their desire to be parents to the Lord. Pero hindi ito madaling tanggapin, lalo na para kay Lea. And she shared her frustration with her husband and her mentor. Pinakinggan naman siya ng mentor  niya and reminded her that she can still be a mother even without physically bearing children.

Nagkaroon ng kakaibang sigla si Lea. Naisip niya na becoming a spiritual mother is what the Lord wants for her. So she decided to focus her time, talent, and treasure on mentoring single women. Sa dami ng issues ng mga younger women, Lea wanted to mentor and help grow their faith, too.

Si Lea na ang naging “Mama Lea” sa singles community in their church. Her life experience and personal journey with the Lord gave her the wisdom to guide the younger women. Lea realized she doesn’t have to give birth to children for her to become a (spiritual) mother. How about you? Are you called to be a spiritual parent to another?