Are you a mom? Love to write? A devotion about parenting or mothering written by YOU could be published in Zondervan's newly updated NIV Mom's Devotional Bible, due in stores spring 2013. We're excited to see your submissions! (Enter the contest by March 14, 2012)
What We're Looking For
Your devotional entry should be encouraging or inspirational in tone, and written from the perspective of a mother.
Your entry should be original, 250-300 words in length, and focusing on ONE of the following passages from the Bible:
- Deuteronomy 6:6–9
- Proverbs 22:6
- Proverbs 31:10–31
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–8
- Ephesians 2:8–9
The Lawyers Made Us Say This Part: Your entry must be in English, previously unpublished, and not submitted or accepted anywhere else at the time of this contest. And don't forget, your entry should be original to you and only about one of the five Bible passages listed above!
If Your Entry Is Selected...
Authors of the winning submissions will have their devotion and a short author's bio printed in the upcoming NIV Mom's Devotional Bible. Winners will also receive a free copy of the Bible.
So what are you waiting for?
Enter the contest at Facebook.com/MomsDevotionalBible.
Sample Devotionals
If you would like to see an example of what we're looking for, here are two:
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Passage:
Genesis 1:26–31
A mother tends to define herself most easily in terms of externals: I am a mom. I am a wife. I am a daughter. I am a graduate. I am a teacher. I am a volunteer. I am what I do. I am what others need me to be. I am what I accomplish.
While these descriptions may be true, they are incomplete. They overlook the vital fact that we are made, inside and out, by God. We are created in his image and for his purposes.
When we gaze into the mirror of God's Word, we find that God has stamped on our being a reflection of his character, his essence, his being. That is not to say we are mini-gods in any sense. But just as children reflect the physical, mental and personality traits of their parents and even adopted children share the mannerisms and habits of their adopted families, so we who are fashioned by God manifest elements of his character in our beings.
Who are you, Mom? Genesis 1 and 2 spells it out. You are God's image-bearer (see Genesis 1:26–27). God expresses his being through both genders, male and female. You are a co-laborer with all of God's people in his world (see Genesis 1:28– 31).
When you live in the fullness of who you are, you show your children, your family and your world a full and accurate picture of your God.
So there, Mom. Take the definition for who you are from how God made you. You are a unique being fashioned after the God of the universe — inside and out!
Think about this: How often do you define yourself by the negatives? Who you aren't, what you haven't accomplished, what you aren't doing. How might this negative definition of yourself affect your mood as well as your daily choices? How might it impact others around you? Switch your sight to God's view of you and get ready for great changes!
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Passage:
Genesis 2:18–25
In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Ask any mom and she’ll confirm that it isn’t good for moms either!
More than any other time in history, moms today are alone — single moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms, moms with kids who have special needs, military moms. Even moms in marriages can experience a surprising “aloneness” — some with a husband who doesn’t share their faith and some with a husband who does but buries himself in work or other interests. Families are scattered, separated by great distances. Schedules are stretched so that there seems to be no time for friends. Past wounds hold us back from the risk of relationship. In some seasons of mothering we find time to connect with others only to have those connections swept away as our children change activities, interests and schedules.
One of the ways God provides for our need for companionship is through the church — his people together on this planet. Whether it meets in a steepled building on a suburban corner or in a shopping mall, God designed the church to be a safe place for us to gather and grow.
If it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone, it isn’t good for us either.
So there, Mom. Take the definition for who you are from how God made you. You are a unique being fashioned after the God of the universe — inside and out!
Maybe the idea of church is new to you and you aren’t really sure how to start. Did you attend as a child? What was your experience? Maybe you are already very active but would like to go deeper. Whatever the case, consider taking the next step. Join a Bible study. Find a mothers’ group. Enlist a prayer partner. Get involved in a service project that reaches out to other mothers. Take your kids along to help.
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Enter the Mom's Devotional Bible Contest
(Closes March 14, 2012)
- Zondervan Bibles Team
(This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's opinions are his own, and are shared for information purposes only. To receive new blogposts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)
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