Honoring the women who walk alongside, point to Christ, and pour out with grace.
This month we’re celebrating Sue McAlinden, a Mentor Mom at Lakeview Bible Church who has been pouring into young moms for about seven years. Sue has been married to her husband, Paul, for 29 years, and they’re the proud parents of four grown children, two boys and two girls, now ages 21 to 27.
🧡 Her Calling
What drew you to the Mentor Mom role, and what made you say yes?
When my kids were young, a friend of mine hounded me to join MOPS. I tried my best to put her off because I dislike doing crafts! Her persistence wore me down, though, and once I joined, I learned that MOPS was so much more than the craft! My faith grew significantly in that organization. Not only did I grow spiritually, I also gained new friends, found a community that supported me in motherhood, and learned how to lay the groundwork for my kids to grow their faith. MOPS was instrumental to my transition into motherhood, and I always felt a strong desire to give back when my kids were grown.
How would you describe what a Mentor Mom actually does, in your own words?
The title sounds scary, like mentors somehow have more faith and knowledge about motherhood than our young moms. In my opinion, a mentor mom simply shows up and facilitates conversation around the weekly topic. We encourage, love, and support the ladies in momQ to live out their faith while partnering with their husbands, raising their children, and managing their households.
What has surprised you most about mentoring other moms?
I was surprised by how much I would grow to love the young moms and be willing to sacrificially support them both in the group and individually.
📖 Faith & Scripture
Is there a passage of Scripture that anchors you in this season of life or ministry?
“With God we gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” Psalm 108:13. My kids have all left our cozy nest and are out in the world. I no longer have control over their decisions and actions. This season has taught me more than any other season of life the importance of prayer. There is nothing too hard for God to handle. His timing and his ways are trustworthy. He gives me victory over my fears and he is near to me while I’m waiting. It was hard to let my children go out into the world, but he used even this to grow me spiritually.
How has serving as a Mentor Mom deepened your own walk with God?
It’s been amazing to witness how the Lord has worked in the other leaders’ lives. We see the results of our prayers for each other, and we encourage each other to keep the faith and hold firm. Iron indeed sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). As I see the Lord working in other people’s lives, it encourages me that he’s working in mine as well. It’s been particularly amazing to see Candace’s vision come to life as the momQ curriculum gets adopted by other churches.
What’s one truth from Scripture you find yourself returning to again and again with the moms you mentor?
“For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 As a young mom in MOPS, that verse gave me hope, but I also wasn’t sure that I could trust it. I didn’t understand how God could use difficult diagnoses, unwanted moves, disagreements with my husband, and undesirable behaviors from my children for something good. As someone further down the road in life from moms with younger children, I’ve experienced the hard-fought victory of that verse. It doesn’t make hardships easier, but it gives me confidence to encourage the ladies in my group to keep praying and trusting and believing that God is always working. He’s going to do something with their hardships, and one day, their faith will be sight and they will be amazed at how he turned what looked like ashes into something beautiful.
🌱 Wisdom for Moms
What’s the one thing you most want moms in the thick of it to hear right now?
Your sacrifice counts. I know the days feel long, and you wonder if anything you did that day makes a difference in eternity. I’m here to tell you that you are doing the MOST IMPORTANT work! You are raising the next generation! Some day, those little children will be big, and they will be out there in the world, and everything you did to point them to Jesus, to share your faith, to give them manners and teach them to get along with others – all those things will suddenly come to fruition and you will be astounded at the people they are. What you do MATTERS. Keep going!
How do you help moms extend grace to themselves when they feel like they’re falling short?
You are the RIGHT MOM for your child! God doesn’t make mistakes. He matched you and your child to each other because you are the PERFECT family for that child to thrive. We all know what it’s like to feel like we fall short. God didn’t assign us to the task of raising these people alone. He goes WITH us, and gives us wisdom, power, and discernment. Trust him. Ask him for what you need, and even if you don’t feel any different, he will supply what you lack. You’re actually a great mom if you feel like you fall short, because it shows how much you care. You don’t carry this burden alone. God goes with you. It’s okay to take things off your plate. Just prioritize your faith and God will do the rest.
What’s a practical rhythm or habit that has helped your family keep Christ at the center?
We ate dinner as a family and prayed before we ate. That sounds small, but we tried to show the kids that it’s right to prioritize the family and thank Jesus for all we have, and give our concerns to him.
🌸 Her Story
Can you share a moment when you had to trust God with something beyond your control? What did that teach you?
When one of our kids was a sophomore in high school, she got a concussion that didn’t heal. She had to be pulled out of the rest of high school, and a teacher came to our house. She dropped all of her advanced classes and social activities. We didn’t know if she would ever fully heal or live independently. I prayed desperately for next steps – what do we do, and where do we take her for healing? God didn’t answer that prayer. Instead, he reminded me to focus on him. From that moment on, I stopped putting all my faith in each new doctor or treatment. Instead, I viewed the experience as an indefinite journey and an opportunity to spend time with her. I still prayed that each appointment would be fruitful, but I didn’t feel despair if nothing changed. I kept my eyes fixed on Jesus and trusted that he had a plan. That awful experience showed me that God really is trustworthy. Our daughter never recovered fully, but she very gradually improved and was able to go to college. She has a job, lives independently, and is an amazing and delightful person. I would never want to re-live those difficult days all over again, but I will never forget God’s faithful presence to see us through. He really is enough for whatever we encounter.
What does bold, everyday faith look like in your life right now?
My bold, everyday faith looks like peace as I trust him now that my kids are out of the nest. There are things I would like to tweak in them that are no longer part of my ability or job. It’s time to trust the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. I’ve been amazed at how he has worked and indeed his plan is better than mine. I still sometimes wish he would work faster!
What’s filling your heart with joy in this season of life?
I feel joy in encouraging those the Lord brings to my life. It might be a young mom, or another momQ leader, or my husband or children or a new friend. I love to encourage others to fan into flame their faith, because deep faith is worth the effort.
📘 A Word for Our Community
Is there a scripture, prayer, or blessing you’d like to leave with other moms?
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14) You are exactly the right mom for your child. When you despair, remind yourself that God doesn’t make mistakes and you have what it takes! Trust him. He’s always with you.
