By: Tony Davenport
Miranda Riddington would describe herself as ‘just an ordinary mum‘.
But those who know this year’s Mother of the Year, would consider her an extraordinary Christian woman.
Alongside her husband of 47 years, Joe, Miranda Riddington has raised ten children in southern New South Wales while serving faithfully in pastoral ministry and supporting those in need around her.
She still loves mentoring other mums on raising their children.
“Raising 10 children was hectic and amazing”.
Miranda devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising and homeschooling her children despite multiple moves around Australia, and even overseas.
Throughout that time, her home has been a place of faith, encouragement, and resilience.
Even through challenging seasons, she modelled trust in God and a commitment to building a strong and loving family.
“It was hectic. It was a very busy time,” she said.
“Honestly, it was an amazing season of having the 10 children.”
Walking With the Lord
“Without the Lord we would not have been able to do what we did”
“We were like a community and it was something that everyone loved being a part of when they came to the house.”
“There was always something happening. It was an exciting time, even though it was challenging.”
“But without the Lord, there’s no way that we would have been able to do what we did.”
Miranda’s foundation for raising a family is from Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“It says write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts, get them inside of you and then get them in inside your children.”
“Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street.”
“Talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.”
“I realised that being a Christian and raising children in a Christian home is about me knowing God first, and unless I have a vibrant strong relationship with the Lord I can’t pass that on to the children.”
Helping Others in her Pastoral Ministry
Miranda is also a grandmother to 16 grandchildren.
Her legacy is seen not only in her own family, but in the many lives she has touched through her service and example.
For more than three decades, she has served alongside Joe in ministry, sometimes as a pastor herself, walking with people through grief, hardship, and crisis.
She has offered practical help, wise counsel, and a compassionate presence to those who needed it most.
Miranda’s ministry has extended into prisons, support for orphans, and care for women and families facing difficult circumstances.
She played a significant role in supporting the spiritual life of ‘Bali NIne’ drug smuggler Andrew Chan who gave his life to the Lord and ran a prison ministry before his execution in 2015.
Her children say their mother embodies love, humility, patience, and strength.
An unsung hero whose impact has shaped not only her own family, but countless others.
She has consistently pointed others toward the importance of strong marriages, stable homes, and faith-filled living.
Biblical Models
“I love Psalm 128:3.” she revealed.
“It says that your wife will be a fruitful vineyard, so the model I have is of a vineyard that speaks of longevity, that speaks of generation to generation and leaving a legacy and a heritage.”
“I love the fact that God sees us as a vineyard because we are the ones who manage the vineyard and create the opportunities for our children.”
“I think that the family is still the number one, it is God’s heart.”
“He created us to have relationship with Him because He wanted a family.”
“And so through us, it’s amazing to think that He uses us, just the husband and wife, to partner with him to create eternal beings so that He can have relationships.”
“I think if we can keep that thought in our mind, it takes us out of the day-to-day humdrum to see the bigger picture that we’re actually partnering and working with God in raising our children for Him to have a relationship with them.”
Miranda’s Advice to Mums
“My passion is to work with mums that are really struggling.”
“I think if there’s anything I could say to mums today it is that you are the very best person to raise your children. God chose you for that job.”
“You have everything you need within you to be the best mum for that child. And don’t lose hold of that.”
“Don’t lose sight of that and when you need help and when you need wisdom just ask God for it because He says that if you lack wisdom just ask Me and I’ll give it to you.”
“I’ve had to do that so many times and I still do.”
“I just go to God and I say: God I don’t know what to do here but You have promised me that You’ll give me the answer.”
“I want struggling mums to know today that they can do it because if He gave you the child, He has given you everything you need to be able to raise that child in the way that’s honouring to Him.
Article supplied with thanks to Vision Christian Media.
Feature image: Supplied (FamilyVoice Australia)
