Love Wins
- Ashley Simmons
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Motherhood is the greatest gift and calling I’ve ever been given. It’s a calling most women long for yet no one is truly prepared for. Isn’t that life? Navigating through the paths, making constant decisions, hoping you are headed in the right direction? Literal prayers of “please don’t let me mess this little human up” have poured from my heart many times over the years. The weight of this calling is like no other BUT, the reward is even greater. When you see the extensions of yourself begin to put all the things into practice you’ve worked so hard to instill in them, relief and joy flood your heart. We plant, the Lord produces.
The weight of this calling is like no other BUT, the reward is even greater.
Every season will require new wisdom, insight and understanding. What I’ve concluded in every season is this…LOVE WINS.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13 is the perfect guide to motherhood. If we can filter EVERY situation through the lens of this scripture, we win and our children win.
My children grew up in a ministry home. My husband and I began ministry the moment we returned from our honeymoon 28 years ago. Being in the ministry requires a certain grace when raising children. Expectations are placed on the family, eyes are always watching reactions and behavior, and you are certainly being watched as an example. This is the price of leading people. At times it felt like our home had glass walls but the calling of motherhood must go on!
Moms, it’s up to us to set the tone of how our children see life, especially life in ministry. In our home we spoke about the privilege and calling of ministry. We are honored to serve. Although the cost is high, the reward is remarkable.
Allow your children to watch you walk with people in their darkest hour, pray for people, rejoice with people and be interrupted. The truth is, hurting people hurt people. People are messy. We are messy. Being real about it is so important but responding in LOVE is necessary.
Although we deeply LOVED people, we would not put them in front of our children. Our kids never questioned whether they were the first priority in our lives. God doesn’t call us to neglect our own children and family to save others. Always show up! They will look back and remember you in the stands, cheering them on.
As a mom I’ve walked through so many seasons. I asked my children - now 23 and 24 - if they would share some things that may have helped them thrive in a “pastor’s home”.
Their answers:
Lots and lots of communication. We took time to talk through situations. Never feeling judged or pushed away when being honest.
Words of life. You are not your mistakes. Who does God say I am?
Constant reminders of LOVE. Never having to question mom's love for me, even in times of disappointment.
Church attendance was not optional. It wasn’t discussed. Being raised in God’s house was a blessing.
Mom and dad are not perfect but divorce wasn’t an option. Security in marriage.
Quitting wasn’t allowed. When things are unfair in school, sports, etc., we weren’t allowed to quit. You have to push through tough things in life. Shape resilience early. No victim mentalities in our home.
Prayer. We prayed daily in car rider line our entire life. We asked God to help us grow in wisdom and stature, for favor with God and favor with man. Pray about EVERYTHING!
Mamas, LOVE God and LOVE your children. If this is your foundation, you’ve already WON!
"Love Wins" is Entry Three in Sanctuary's May blog series, "Ministry of Motherhood". Stop by Sanctuary each Monday of May 2026 to read a brand new entry from a Ministry Wife-Momma who is walking out this same journey as you, granting the reader fresh perspective, renewed purpose, and perhaps the "I see you" that's needed to keep going. Share today's feature with a fellow ministry wife-momma. You might just save her day!
Ashley Simmons has been married to her wonderful husband, Tim, for 28 years. They have served in ministry together since the day they were married. Ashley currently serves as Director of Coastal Care & Coastal Women at Coastal Church in Daphne, AL, alongside her husband, who is the executive pastor. Ashley loves to write, share her story and minister to women.