God The Mother?

In the religion of Christianity, God is referred to as The Father. It's even mentioned in scripture, the most popular verses being Matthew 6:9-13 where The Lord's Prayer begins by saying, "Our Father who art in heaven..." However, i have found much comfort in thinking of God as a mother. Has anyone else ever felt this way? Why not consider God a mother as well? Why is it that i feel this way? Let me explain...

I grew up with a father who was absent. Not physically, but emotionally and mentally he wasn't there. Therefore, i took comfort in knowing that my mother was there for me and offered unconditional love to me. I had always heard God described as The Father, but i never considered Him to be that. How am i supposed to consider God a father when my own earthly father didn't show me the love that a father should?

Well, I read The Shack. Surely many of you have heard of this book, some of you have probably read it as well. In this book God is depicted as an African American woman. Personally, when i read it i pictured someone like Queen Latifah, I've heard this from others as well. Anyway, the God in this book is so loving, caring, compassionate and all of the other qualities that God has, however, God is a woman. A mother. First reading this i was confused. The idea of God being the father were consuming my head that i hadn't even considered God to be a mother. However, through reading that book and reflecting on my own relationship with my earthly mother, i have concluded that yes, God can be considered a Mother. I have found such great comfort in this. Yes, God can be a Father, but He can also be a Mother. I don't just all of a sudden say, "God is a woman." But i must say that i have found a greater sense of love from God when calling on Him as my Mother.

God is my Father. My Mother. My Friend. M Brother. He is everything to me.