Be a Mom of Humility Like the Centurion

Being a mom of humility like the centurion means you have faith in God to work out the details in your children’s lives.

Cultivating Humility and Faith: Lessons from the Centurion

Have you reflected on the story of the centurion in Luke 7 recently? This man wielded great authority, yet his faith and humility set him apart.

Today, I want to challenge you to embrace humility that allows God to move powerfully in your children’s lives—just as the centurion’s faith did.

Digging Deeper: Luke 7:1-10

Key Verses:
“For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Luke 7:8)

“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, ‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’” (Luke 7:9)

Let’s cultivate the same unwavering faith and deep humility in our own lives, trusting God to work in ways beyond what we can see.

Mom, Are You Frustrated and Losing Your Humility?

As moms, we have the authority to guide and instruct our children. They are expected to listen and obey—simple, right?

But let’s be honest—motherhood can be overwhelming. The constant demands, the never-ending to-do list, and the pressure to keep everything together can wear us down. Before we know it, we’re barking orders out of exhaustion rather than leading with love and patience.

Sound familiar? Trust me, I’ve been there. The frustration builds, especially when parenting feels extra challenging—whether it’s a strong-willed child, the struggles of potty training, or simply the weight of daily responsibilities. In those moments, it’s easy to feel alone.

But there is hope.

Let’s take a look at the centurion in Luke 7:1-10—a man of great authority who, instead of relying on his own power, humbled himself and placed his faith in Jesus. He trusted in God’s authority, not just his own.

What if we did the same in our parenting? What if, instead of leaning on frustration, we leaned into faith?

You are not alone in this journey. Let’s find encouragement together.

A Look at the Centurion’s Humility

I love how Luke tells stories throughout this gospel.

We connect with stories and they help us to respond to God’s teaching for our lives.

This story starts off with Jesus entering the town of Capernaum (Luke 7:1).

There was a centurion who was very dear to Jesus. In the Roman Empire, a centurion was a man who had 100 men under his authority. He was well off and had servants. One of these servants was so sick that he was about to die.

As a Roman soldier, this centurion was also a Gentile. He seems devout, kind, and humble man who cares about his servant. He was an instrument of the Roman oppression of the Jews. (Luke 7:2)

The interesting thing was that a Roman soldier had the right to kill a servant. If the servant (or slave) became sick or injured to the point that he could not work, it was expected that he would have him put to death. This makes it even more amazing that the centurion cared about him.

We can see how humble the centurion was because he did not see himself as worthy of coming to Jesus personally. He sent friends to Jesus asking Him to heal his servant.

He also might have thought that Jesus would not have wanted to meet him because he was a Gentile.

You can go to Jesus directly with your burden.

You don’t have to send a representative like the centurion did.

Jesus cares so deeply for you and longs to take you under His wings and comfort and guide you.

You can approach Jesus in humility just like the centurion and lay your situation before the Lord.

The Centurion’s Deep Humility

The centurion may have hesitated to invite Jesus into his home because, as a Gentile, he knew that Jewish customs forbade entering a non-Jew’s house.

Yet, his decision was not just about cultural sensitivity—it was a reflection of his deep humility and understanding of Jesus’ authority.

This Roman officer recognized that Jesus’ ability to heal wasn’t based on mystical powers or physical presence. Instead, he understood that Jesus possessed true authority—a power that transcended distance. (Luke 7:6-8)

With unwavering faith, the centurion trusted that Jesus’ word alone was enough.

He drew a direct comparison between his own military authority—where his commands were obeyed without question—and Jesus’ divine authority. Just as soldiers followed his orders, he knew that when Jesus spoke, healing would happen.

As moms, the centurion’s story challenges us to consider: Do we trust in Jesus’ authority the same way?

His word is just as powerful today as it was then. Are we willing to put our faith in Him, even when we can’t see the outcome?

Your Humility as a Mom

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in raising children is that the tone of our words matters just as much as the words themselves.

When spoken in frustration or impatience, even the right words can lead to undesired reactions.

As parents, we have the authority to expect obedience—just as the centurion did.

But let’s be honest—raising kids doesn’t function like the military. They aren’t soldiers following orders; they are souls in need of grace, guidance, and Jesus’ love.

The truth is, we all make mistakes, and we can’t go back to erase them. Ask me how I know!

This is why walking in the Spirit is essential.

Parenting is about building a relationship that reflects Christ’s love. Oh how often we are tired or impatient.

Our time with them is brief, and sooner than we know, they will be grown.

If you think your little three-year-old will stay small forever, just ask a mom whose children are grown. She will tell you—the years fly by.

So, my encouragement to you is this: walk in humility.

You were never meant to do this parenting journey alone. You need Christ living through you every step of the way!

Healing Your Relationship with Your Children

Just as Jesus healed the centurion’s servant (Luke 7:8-10), He can also bring healing to broken relationships between you and your children.

Walking in humility as a parent means surrendering your authority to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you as you seek to restore and strengthen those relationships.

It means doing all you can to love, guide, and rebuild—but also trusting God with the outcome.

At the end of the day, your child has a free will. You cannot force them to follow Jesus, but you can live out your faith in a way that draws them closer to Him.

If you’re carrying hurt, disappointment, or regret in your parenting journey, know this: Jesus can heal your heart. Just as the centurion trusted in Jesus’ power, you too can trust that He is working, even when you can’t see it.

Did this message speak to your heart today? I’d love to hear your thoughts—share in the comments below!