The Power of a Mother's Kiss
Floating around Facebook (and other socials) is beautiful expression of the impacts of physical, parental affirmation through the mechanism of the simple kiss. Though it is less a scientific treastise than a poetic metaphor, it does indeed capture the essence of legitimate scientific research. It goes like this:
When a mother kisses her son, it’s not just a tender gesture — it’s biology weaving an invisible bond.
In that simple moment — lips to skin — a cascade of extraordinary things unfolds deep within the brain:
Neuroimaging reveals the hidden symphony:
— The nucleus accumbens and dopamine pathways light up, wiring joy and reinforcing the primal connection.
— The amygdala and hypothalamus, architects of emotion, ignite to nurture safety and belonging.
— Oxytocin, the famed “love hormone,” floods both bodies, lowering stress, sealing trust, deepening attachment.For the child, that kiss does more than soothe:
It quiets the stress circuits — regulating cortisol, calming fears, nurturing emotional resilience.
A mother's kiss isn’t ordinary. It’s ancient biology — a whispered promise of protection, of unconditional presence.
In that fleeting second, a shelter is built in the brain… and the roots of lifelong security begin to grow.
Love leaves traces science can finally see — but a child feels them long before they understand.
For a couple of links for some scientific coroberration, click here and here.
The Lord often compares his love to the love of an earthly parent for their child.
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you ...” (Isaiah 66:13, NIV).
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15, NIV).
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:13, NIV).
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?... how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9, 11, NIV).
Indeed, God's love isn't abstract—it’s embodied in the most intimate human relationships we know.
Mothers (and fathers!), you have been granted a divine ability to be a physical conduit of the all encompassing, eternal, empowering, comforting love God in the lives of your children. It is their birthright to know and understand and feel the connection they can have with the Father by experiencing it first through you.
Love them deeply. Kiss them often.
And in those moments communicate to them not just "your" love and affection, but explain that it is but a picture, a conduit of the love their great Father in heaven has for them!
She Took Their Sting
CBS News reports:
Firefighters responded to a call about a bee attack after a mother and her two children were swarmed and attacked by bees while doing a family photo shoot, Arizona Fire & Medical Authority said in a statement on Facebook.
Fire officials said the mother's "quick thinking" saved her kids from being stung when she put them in the car as she took the brunt of the stings.
"She was transported to the hospital with over 75 stings but thankfully has recovered," fire officials said.
A mother's love is fierce, willing to take all the pain, all the trauma, and even the threat of death to protect the children she loves.
How much more fierce is the love of the Savior, taking all the pain, all the trauma, and not just the threat of death, but death itself to protect His children from eternal eternal separation from God?
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, NIV).
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24, NIV).
The Godly Mother
I recently heard from another pastor that a big part of the word “mothers” is “others,” which makes sense because mothers always think about others. But then another pastor pointed out that if you take the “s” off of mothers, and put it at the beginning, you get the word “smother,” which, depending on who you ask, can also sometimes seem valid, especially if you would have asked us in our teenage years.
Moms don't usually try to smother their children. They want to protect us, but sometimes we misunderstand their efforts.
Jesus felt the same way for the Jewish people. Just days before He was crucified, Jesus said:
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37)
Jesus longed for them to believe, but they weren’t willing. From the cross, Jesus prayed:
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34 ESV)
You see, I think that Jesus has unceasing anguish (Romans 9:2) for every unbeliever, as long as they remain in unbelief, just as God desires for everyone to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).