A Tribute to Mothers

A Tribute to Mothers

Mothers are one of those indispensable ingredients of life. What a debt we owe our mothers. Without them we would not have lived. Had they not cared for us in our infancy, we would not have survived. They taught us our first lessons in life. In many cases they sacrificed and did without so we could have the things we needed. None of us could ever repay the debt we owe our mothers. With Abraham Lincoln we can say, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

To be a mother is a gift from God. "The fruit of the womb is his reward..." (Psalm 127:3). Motherhood is a stewardship assigned to women by their Creator. He designed women both physically and emotionally, not only to conceive and bear children but to nurture them as well. No other privilege is equal to that of joining hands with the Creator in bringing forth a life that will live forever. The first mother exclaimed, "I have gotten a man by the help of Jehovah" (Genesis 4:1). Even with all its challenges, motherhood brings unequaled joy (John 16:21).

Unfortunately not all mothers experience the joys described above: sick mothers with poor health; a mother with a chronically ill husband; a mother with too little income; one with too many children to close together; one with a handicapped child; a mother deserted by her husband; or one with a worthless husband; an unwed mother. To those of us with happy, stable homes and prosperity, such unfortunate cases present unique opportunities to demonstrate the love, compassion and service of Christ. "We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak" (Romans 15:1).

Christ exalted and honored women. "God bestowed the supreme blessing on womanhood by bringing His Son into world by means of a woman." Before He came, woman's condition was hard. In most societies they were little more than servants, essentially the property of men with no rights in society. The honor He bestowed is seen in the woman chosen to be his mother. Mary was morally pure (Luke 1:26-27). She had found favor with God (Luke 1:30). She was obedient to God (Luke 1:38). At birth the helpless babe was placed in her hands for nurture and care. (Luke 2:51-52). Jesus appreciation for his mother is seen in his dying concern for her (John 19:26-27). Her worthiness is seen in her faithfulness to him in life, in death and in his kingdom (Acts 1:14).

"The mother in her office holds the key of the soul; and she it is who stamps the coin of character and makes the being who would be a savage, but for her gentle care, a Christian man... Then crown her the queen of the world" (Anonymous). "A mother's love is like God's; he loves us not because we are lovable, but because it is his nature to love, and because we are his children" (Earl Reney).

Tomorrow, caring people across the nation will honor their mothers. For some it is a precious memory of a loving mother, no longer with them. For others it is a privilege to show appreciation for a mother they are still blest to have with them. In the words of Solomon, let us "rise up and call them blessed" (Proverbs 31:28). We salute the mothers among us and wish God's richest blessings upon them. The future of the church and the nation rests in the hands of those mothers who devote themselves to raising their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

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