Who Has A Fiery Daughter

Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.

I HAVE RAISED A FIERY DAUGHTER. Have you? Once at the grocery store, when my daughter was still young enough to ride in the cart alongside her little brother, an older woman commented on how sweet my son was. This woman, known in our community for her kindness, said to him, “I’ll just take you home with me.”

My quick-minded and fierce little girl who didn’t understand this woman’s intentions answered, “No you won’t. He’s my brother.” And she meant it. She is a fighter for justice and keeper of the score always. She knows her own mind, and she knows what’s right.

Scripture doesn’t tell us much about what Deborah was like as a little girl. We don’t know if she was timid or bold. We don’t know if she was outspoken or reserved. We don’t know if she followed the rules or rebelled. But we do know that she grew up to become a woman honored by her community and given authority to rule.

In Scripture, Deborah is one of the only women called a prophet, which means that she heard from God and shared His words with the people. She is also called a judge: “Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided” (Judges 4:4-5). Deborah’s voice was greatly respected, finding favor not just among the common people in her kingdom but also among those in leadership.

One time Barak, a ruler of Israel, said he would not even go to war unless Deborah went with them. When she said, “Go!” the people went. When she gave judgment, they listened. When she shared the heart of God, they obeyed. She was a woman full of fire and justice, and the Lord was with her.

I think of Deborah’s mom as I raise my own fiery daughter. She didn’t put out the fire that burned in her daughter’s heart or snuff out the flame of justice and honor. Deborah sat in a place of judgment because she had not been confined to a place of complacency. Armies won battles because of her wisdom, and there was peace in the land for forty years because of her leadership.

We need Deborahs today. We need women unafraid of stepping into the places of authority God has given them; women willing to use bold, wise words to speak about the things He places on their hearts. And as mommas raising the next generation of women leaders, we need to protect the passion ablaze in our girls. We need to make sure they, too, can fulfill what God has called them to because we haven’t “corrected” them into complacency.

I know what it’s like to raise a girl who questions if what she has been told is good and true. I know what it is like to raise a daughter who fights for what is best. I know what it is like to raise a daughter who is strong. I also know that God has placed within you and me the exact characteristics to parent fiery daughters. He knew we’d need patience and perseverance. He knew we’d need strength and tenderness. He knew they’d need mommas like us. He knew He could trust us to protect the flame of faith.

Tonight we pray for the momma raising one or more fiery daughters. Lord, You know how carefully these girls must be led. You created them with fierce passion that shouldn’t be put out or contained. So often their determination doesn’t come from a strong will or a disobedient heart but from a passion put there by You, God. You created strong girls to ignite movements, to kindle hope, and to warm the lonely. Lord, help this momma lead her daughter well. Give her wisdom, patience, tenderness, and compassion. The world needs girls with fire in their hearts now more than ever. You knew this momma was the one for the job. Give her rest tonight.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Jesus, please help me to raise ___________________ with wisdom, patience, tenderness, and compassion.