My name is Maria Raine. I am the fourteenth child from a family of seventeen children all born to and raised by the same parents. Consequently, I had many years to observe the ever shifting dynamics of raising children and more specifically the role a mother plays in this.The inspiration for writing Motherhood Lived in the Fruits of the Spirit came when a young lady who was due to have her first child asked me if I could give her some advice on motherhood.I had never given conscious thought as to what constitutes being a good mother. As I began to reflect on my own experience as a mother and observation of other mothers over the years I concluded there is one key component to successful ( if there is such a thing) motherhood. Living life in the fruits of the spirit.There are no exceptions. When a woman becomes a mother her life will change forever. Women have the very distinct role of meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of their children for a very long time. Undeniably a huge responsibility. This book offers many thought provoking comments and ideas. These may assist the reader in the navigation of the many unchartered waters of motherhood.