It started with god. It continues with motherhood.

​In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Then, God created Adam and Eve.

From there, though, came the question. Where does the creation of humanity go from here?

God made man from dirt and woman from the man's rib. God could have chosen literally any answer to that creation question, where does the creation of humanity go from here?

God chose motherhood.

One could reflect on this as I have and see this choice as a God who wanted to create something more than humanity. This was a God who wanted to create humanity as an expression of love and caring and human interconnectedness. Just as we are an expression of God's love and caring and desire for divine connectedness with us.

If those were God's intentions, science certainly supports his design.

Studies have shown that secure and loving attachments between a mother and her baby predict better outcomes in terms of stress management, social skills, and emotional regulation.

Studies show that the responsiveness of a mother to her child's needs and her engagement in the child's learning processes help foster an environment ripe for cognitive growth.

And studies strongly show the presence and supportive role of a mother can contribute greatly to the development of resilience. Children who receive consistent, compassionate care from their mothers are more likely to develop the skills necessary to face life’s challenges effectively.

Indeed, many studies support the notion that a strong and healthy connection between a mother and her baby is one of the greatest predictors of a child's future wellness.

I am a science AND bible guy. It's never one or the other for me. This overlap between God's vision for motherhood and the evidence science lends to that vision is one big reason for my AND.

In the aftermath of my divorce, I have said many times, if I had to choose a mother for my boys all over again I'd choose the mother they have. She has always made her role as a mother her highest priority.

Because of that, even as much as I've remained an active father in their lives, I know it is motherhood that has lifted them through some challenging years. I know the bond she's created with them, one in line with the loving and caring and connection driven vision of God, has been glue.

For it's hard to shake the image of the cross. In the hardest earthly moment of God's life. The creator who declared the value of motherhood looking down at his mother witnessing his murder. And one of God's last orders of business was calling out to his disciple John, please take care of my mother.

A bond to the end.

A bond founded on the loving and caring and human connection born in a manger.

I know my role in my boys' lives is critical. This article isn't to diminish the role a father plays. But I own that no small part of my role has always been supporting their mom's opportunity to be a present mom.

I also know one reason their mom has had the freedom to be a present mom is some of the challenges NOT present in her life that ARE present in the lives of many moms.

She's never had to worry about access to healthcare.

She's never had to worry about access to education.

She's never had to worry about access to social supports that lighten the load of the never ending job of mom.

We often judge moms for not showing up for their babies the way God designed them to and the way science supports is the healthiest foundation for human development.

Maybe when God was designing the importance of motherhood he was also imagining the way we'd all show up to support mothers. And that design didn't include judgment, but policies and practices that give every mother a chance to show up for their kids the way my boys' mom has shown up for them.

Being a present mom was never designed to be a privilege. It was designed to be a gift from God to humanity. A gift that would foster love and care and connection all the way from earth to eternity.

Every time we turn our back on opportunities to support every mother and every baby in that gift, we turn our back on the natural design of a loving and caring and connected world.

It's not often we talk about that truth when talking about the challenges of the world.

Maybe it's time we start. No better time than Mothers Day.